Which of the following is NOT a stage in a life cycle assessment?

A life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental impact of a product through different stages, starting from raw material extraction to disposal. The assessment typically includes extracting and processing raw materials, which involves acquiring resources necessary for production and analyzing the environmental effects of processing these materials.

Manufacturing and packaging is a crucial phase, assessing the energy use, emissions, and waste produced during the creation and packaging of the product. Finally, disposal at the end of a product's useful life is also a significant stage, focusing on the environmental consequences of discarding the product, whether through recycling, landfilling, or incineration.

Contrasting with these stages, marketing and advertising are not typically part of a life cycle assessment. Although marketing may influence consumer choices and consequently the product's impact, it does not directly contribute to the environmental assessment of the product itself. Thus, it is not included in the formal process of evaluating the environmental effects of a product over its life cycle.