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Difference between PCF and EPD two documents, two questions.
A product carbon footprint (PCF, ISO 14067) measures only the climate impact of a product. An environmental product declaration (EPD, ISO 14025) reports several environmental indicators under category rules and is published in a programme. They answer different questions and do not replace each other.
It is easy to confuse “the footprint” with “the EPD”. They are not the same. Choosing well avoids doing long work that does not answer what your customer asks.
What is the difference?
| Product carbon footprint (PCF) | Environmental product declaration (EPD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Reference standard | ISO 14067 | ISO 14025 (Type III) and product category rules |
| What it measures | Climate change only, in kgCO2e | Several environmental indicators, with climate as one of them |
| Specific rules | The standard’s and the declared choices | The programme’s product category rules (PCR) |
| Publication | A certificate or report | A verified document in an EPD programme |
| Typical use | Answering a customer, a Scope 3 or a tender that asks for the carbon figure | Sectors that require full environmental declarations, such as construction |
| Usual scope | Cradle-to-gate or full life cycle | Defined by the category rules |
When do I need each one?
- PCF if your customer or tender asks for the carbon figure of your product.
- EPD if the customer, the sector or regulation asks for an environmental declaration with several indicators and category rules.
- Both if you need the carbon figure quickly and a full declaration later.
How are they related?
Both rely on life cycle assessment. A PCF can be the starting point for the climate data of an EPD, but it does not replace it, because the EPD adds indicators and is subject to category rules and verification in a programme.
What does Xain do?
Xain calculates and certifies the product carbon footprint with an ISO 14067 methodology verified by LRQA. Its focus is the carbon footprint, not the full environmental declaration. See the product footprint solution.
Keep reading
ISO 14067
ISO 14067 is the standard that sets how to quantify and communicate a product carbon footprint. What it requires, what cradle-to-gate is and how Xain uses it.
Environmental product declaration (EPD)
An environmental product declaration (EPD) is a verified Type III document, under ISO 14025, that reports the environmental performance of a product based on an LCA and on product category rules.
Product category rules (PCR)
Product category rules (PCR) are the specific set of requirements for developing environmental declarations for a category of products.
Product footprint
Certify your product’s carbon footprint with an ISO 14067 method verified by LRQA, from your technical documentation, with registration and traceability.
Tell us what you want to measure
One product, a catalogue or your purchases. We reply with the next steps.
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