Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method and
the link with EPDs
Michele Galatola
Environmental Footprint Team Leader
Sustainable Production, Products & Consumption Unit European Commission - DG Environment
Why EF methods ?
2010: - proliferation of labels a potential threat to Single Market - request from major industry players - Council conclusions
Same product
BUT
Different results
This makes impossible the systematic use of LCA in
policy making
We need information that is reproducible, comparable, and verifiable
ISO 14040-44
ISO 14025
BP X 30-323
PAS 2050
Ecological footprint
ILCD Handbook
Product Standards,
Greenhouse Gas Protocol
(WRI/ WBCSD)
Why not using something already existing?
Full report available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/smgp/dev_pef.htm
EF Pilots
Batteries and accumulators
Decorative paints
Hot & cold water pipe systems
Liquid household detergents
IT equipment
Metal sheets
Photovoltaic electricity generation
Intermediate paper products
T-shirts
Uninterrupted power supplies
Retail sector
Copper sector
Leather
Thermal insulation
Beer
Dairy products
Feed
Pet food
Olive oil Pasta
Wine
Packed water
Finalised PEFCRs
Finalised OEFSRs
Coming in autumn
5
The pilot phase
PEFCRs OEFSRs
Bench-marking
Veri-fication
Com-munica-
tion
Free data
SME Tool
267 leading stakeholders in the 23 active pilots
75% or
more
market share;
38% 51% or
more
market share;
37%
TS less
than
51%; 22%
The EU market is behind the pilots:
73% of pilots have the majority of
industry in the lead
Participants (27 pilots):
2024 individual stakeholders (5322 participations)
Europe: 85.2%
S. America: 2.9%
N. America:
5.3%
Africa:
0.15%
Asia: 4.3%
Stakeholders in the world ( = leading stakeholders)
Oceania: 0.8%
What is in a PEFCR?
• What shall be included (scope)
• How to handle co-products
• How to model agricultural activities
• How to model electricity
• How to model transport: default data for scenarios
• How to model the use stage
• How to model secondary materials, recycling at End of life
• The list of most relevant impact categories, life cycles, processes
• … and more
Materiality (focus where it matters)
Most relevant impact categories Those that cumulatively contributes to 80% of the total impact
Most relevant life cycle stages Those that cumulatively contributes to 80% of the impact for each most relevant impact category
Most relevant processes Those that cumulatively contributes to 80% of the impact for each most relevant impact category
Data Need Matrix
It defines what kind of dataset you need to use in your PEF study depending on: • operational control • Environmental relevance of the process • DQR (Data Quality Rating)
Added values of EF methods
PEF and EPDs
EPD is a communication vehicle, with info based on a 14025-conform LCA
PEF is an LCA calculation method -> an EPD can be calculated based on PEF but an EPD based on ISO 14025 would not be automatically PEF compliant
Main differences: Absence of benchmark End of life (CFF formula) Some modelling requirements Data quality requirements
PEF and EN 15804
EN 15804 original mandate issued in 2004 – Standard released in 2012 (!)
EC never referred to the standard in EU legislation, due to “issues” related to some of the requirements (e.g. module D)
Interest from several construction-related sectors in PEF (5 pilots elected)
Clear commitment both from EC and construction industry to avoid the existence of two parallel methods -> new mandate to amend EN15804 (and other related standards) to make it as much as possible in line with PEF
Positive and constructive collaborative work with CEN experts
Draft amended text discussed in Helsinki last October – official ballot will take place in the coming months
IF the text is approved has discussed in Helsinki, then the Commission will start referring to the “new” EN 15804 also in EC policies. IF the text is not approved or is modified, then EC will use PEF also for construction products and buildings.
PEF and EN 15804
Modules C and D become mandatory (with limited exceptions)
Impact assessment methods and characterisation factors aligned to PEF ones
Rules on biogenic carbon modelling aligned to PEF ones
ILCD/EF structure (e.g. nomenclature and format) becomes mandatory
Main changes:
Food for thoughts
• PEF/LCA is not perfect and it will never be. But it’s the most comprehensive assessment tool available today.
• PEF is considered by most LCA experts as the currently best available method. There are, luckily, critical voices: the constructive ones will always be heard (as we did in the past).
• We need to stop “talking” about sustainability and start making it happen. How? Let me simplify:
The market
Who should bring real sustainability into practice?
The policy makers
Darwin’s law applies to tools and labels
• Select a method/tool
• Use it consistently for 15-20 years
Less PRODUCT SUSTAINABILITY More
Nu
mb
ers
of
pro
du
cts
in t
he
mar
ket
Interventions:
• Support
innovation
Interventions:
•Pricing and trading
•Voluntary initiatives
•Producer responsibility
•Business support
•Procurement
•Labelling
•Public information
Interventions:
•Minimum
standards
PRODUCT INTERVENTIONS – Overall approach
Cut out the
least
sustainable
products
Encourage
development
of new, more
sustainable
products
Drive the existing market towards greater
sustainability
Ecolabel
Ecodesig
n
GPP
Product policies TODAY
Transition phase
Policy proposal
Status & next steps
Finalise pilot
Analyse results
Policy in place
April 2018
April 2018
• Some pilots still ongoing, to be finalised by Autumn 2018
23-25/04 Final conference
• Monitoring the voluntary implementation of PEFCRs/ OEFSRs • Development of PEFCRs/ OEFSRs • Methodological improvements
• Toxicity-related impact categories • Resource use impact category
Imola Bedo An De Schryver Michele Galatola
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eussd/smgp/PEFCR_OEFSR_en.htm
Twitter: @EU_EnvFootprint
