Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
Quantifying greenhouse gas emissions associated with products according to ISO 14067
What is a Product Carbon Footprint?
A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) quantifies the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout its life cycle.
PCF studies evaluate emissions generated during raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use and end-of-life treatment depending on the selected system boundaries.
The methodology is commonly used to support customer requirements, sustainability reporting, product improvement initiatives and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
Why Calculate a Product Carbon Footprint?
Manufacturers increasingly receive requests for product carbon footprint information from customers, procurement teams and sustainability platforms.
A PCF study can help organizations:
- Understand product-related emissions
- Identify emission hotspots
- Support decarbonization initiatives
- Respond to customer sustainability requirements
- Support ESG and sustainability reporting
- Provide input for EPD development
- Improve supply chain transparency
Typical Life Cycle Stages Considered
PCF studies may cover:
- Cradle-to-Gate
- Cradle-to-Grave
- Gate-to-Gate
- Cradle-to-Customer
depending on project objectives and customer requirements.
Standards and Methodologies
EPD Analytics develops Product Carbon Footprint studies according to internationally recognized methodologies:
- ISO 14067
- ISO 14040
- ISO 14044
- GHG Protocol Product Standard
- Environmental Footprint methodologies where applicable
What Does a PCF Study Deliver?
Carbon Footprint Result
Total greenhouse gas emissions expressed in kg CO₂e per product
Emission Breakdown
Identification of major contributors such as:
- Raw materials
- Energy consumption
- Transportation
- Packaging
- Waste treatment
Improvement Opportunities
Identification of opportunities for emission reduction and product optimization.
Industries We Support
- Aluminium
- Metal Components
- Electronics
- Medical Products
- Packaging
- Industrial Equipment
Representative Projects
Commercial Vacuum Cleaner
Industry: Industrial Equipment
Service: Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
Standard: ISO 14067
Project Scope: Product carbon footprint assessment supporting environmental performance communication.
Electrical Components
Industry: Electronics
Service: Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
Standard: ISO 14067
Project Scope: Greenhouse gas emissions quantification for manufactured electrical components.
Personal Care Products
Industry: Consumer Products
Service: Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
Standard: ISO 14067
Project Scope: Comparative carbon footprint assessment of concentrated and conventional product formats.
Our Approach
EPD Analytics develops technically robust carbon footprint studies using real production data, material inventories and energy consumption information.
Our objective is to provide manufacturers with reliable and transparent results that support customer requirements, sustainability reporting and product improvement initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PCF and LCA?
A PCF evaluates greenhouse gas emissions only, while an LCA evaluates multiple environmental impact categories.
What is the difference between PCF and EPD?
A PCF focuses on climate change impacts. An EPD includes multiple environmental indicators and is based on a broader LCA study.
Can a PCF be used for EPD development?
Yes. Carbon footprint results are often integrated into EPD studies.
Which unit is used?
Results are typically expressed as kg CO₂e per product