Difference between cutoff, U and cutoff, S

Question

Hi,

When selecting the provider in Inputs/outputs, I see there are 2 similar choices, for example:

transport, freight, lorry 16-32 metric ton, EURO5 | transport, freight, lorry 16-32 metric ton, EURO5 | Cutoff, S

and 

transport, freight, lorry 16-32 metric ton, EURO5 | transport, freight, lorry 16-32 metric ton, EURO5 | Cutoff, U

What do S and U mean? Is it system process and unit process?

 Many thanks

Sophie

Answer 1

Hi Sophie, yes indeed! U = Unit process and S = system process; This should also be indicated by the symbol before the processes' names as explained here https://ask.openlca.org/53/difference-between-system-process-and-unit-process?show=601#a601

Moreover, you should see that from the inventory (input/output table). The impact result of both processes should be the same.