PCR & EPD

Question 1

What is PCR?

Answer 1

Product Category Rules :

Specific rules for conducting an LCA for a particular product group (specify e.g. the functional unit, impact categories and LCIA method) → basically a product-specific predetermined Goal and Scope Definition

• Developed based on an LCA and according to ISO 14025
• Basis for EPDs

Question 2

How to develop a PCR? 1. Step

Answer 2

Initiation phase:

• Consider available PCRs –> are they efficient, do they need to be changed?
• Seek cooperation with other parties –> you do not want to do by yourself because you want to include companies from the beginning

Question 3

How to develop a PCR? 2. Step

Answer 3

Preparation phase:

• Identify the pre-set parameters/rules of the different program operators
• Specify content–> setting up PCR: functional unit, impact categories, system boundaries
• Select additional environmental information

Question 4

How to develop a PCR? 3. Step

Answer 4

Consultation phase:

• Identify the consultation parties
• Prepare the open consultation procedure
• Invite/alert people ta take part in the open consultation –> the more feedback the better to make the PCR more successful
• Modify the draft PCR document according to comments received

Question 5

How to develop a PCR? 4. Step

Answer 5

Approval and publication phase:

•Finalization of PCR proposal & make it public

Question 6

How to develop a PCR? 5. Step

Answer 6

Updating phase:

•After certain period document is revisit and can be commented on again

Process takes about 2 years

Question 7

What is an EPD?

Answer 7

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD):

•Environmental report/declaration based on an LCA, which was conducted acc. to defined product category rules (PCR)

–> “case study of a PCR”

Question 8

What is the goal of an EPD?

Answer 8

–To provide relevant and verified information to meet the various communication needs

–To provide the basis of a fair comparison of products and services by their environmental performance (also between companies is then possible if based on the PCR –> but only to decide which company you want to work with; not to say that your company is so much better than the other (not allowed!!))

–To reflect the continuous environmental improvement of a product or service over time and is able to communicate and adds up relevant environmental information along a product’s supply chain

Question 9

How to create an EPD?

Answer 9

1. Consideration of available PCRs and preparation of PCR document
2. Collection of LCA data, which to be included in the EPD
3. Compilation of environmental information into the EPD reporting format
4. Verification (3rd party has a look at your EPD again and checks if all the requirements of the PCR are considered, not included aspects, make the system boundaries sense?)
5. Registration –depending on the operator

Question 10

Where are most existing EPD programmes?

Answer 10

In total around 40 programmes exist

Half of them in Europe and mostly have an international scope

Main trigger for EPDs: “building and construction” sector

~20% not fully ISO 14025-conform

5‒10% are “inactive