Exported ILCD dataset fails to import into GaBi (Sphera LCA FE) due to structural/UUID conflicts

[lenadec]

Description

I am using the EPD Editor to create an EPD dataset (validating against ÖKOBAUDAT requirements). After successfully validating the dataset in EPD Editor (no red errors), I export it as an ILCD/XML package to import it into "LCA for Experts" (GaBi / Sphera LCA FE).

However, the import in GaBi fails consistently. Even after ensuring that I am using unique UUIDs, GaBi aborts the process or crashes during the loading bar, stating that objects already exist, or simply fails to process the directory structure.

Steps to Reproduce

• Open EPD Editor (Version 6.0.2).
• Create a specific dataset (EPD) and a corresponding product flow.
• Validate the dataset (Status: valid).
• Right-click on the dataset -> Export -> ILCD/XML format.
• Open GaBi (Sphera LCA FE).
• Try to import the exported file (ILCD import).

Observed Behavior The import fails with the following symptoms:

Popup Error: "All Import-Objekte sind schon in der Datenbank" (All import objects already exist in the database), even though I duplicated the EPD and the Flow in EPD Editor to generate fresh UUIDs.

Log Warnings: The import log shows multiple warnings regarding missing directories in the ZIP archive, such as:

• Failed to identify directory: ILCD/sources
• Failed to identify directory: schemas
• Failed to identify directory: stylesheets
• Invalid xml file name: OEKOBAU.DAT

Crash: Sometimes the import progress bar stops in the middle, and the import is aborted without a successful result.

Expected Behavior The exported ILCD package should be structured in a way that allows a standard import into major LCA software tools like GaBi without manual restructuring of the ZIP file or persistent UUID conflicts despite cloning.

What I have tried so far

• Duplicated the EPD in EPD Editor to generate a new UUID.
• Duplicated the Flow (Product) in EPD Editor to generate a new UUID.
• Ensured the new EPD references the new Flow.

Environment

EPD Editor Version: 6.0.2

Target Software: Sphera LCA FE (GaBi)

[msrocka]

Thank you for the detailed description of the issue. I understand that this is frustrating. The focus of the editor is indeed currently mainly for the data exchange with soda4LCA and validating against the ILCD+EPD schema and Ökobaudat requirements. I think the import into an openLCA database with the EN15804 method package works quite well. Implementing the specific requirements for GaBi could be probably possible with some project budget (and access to GaBi to test this). If you see some options here, you can directly contact GreenDelta. Thanks.