EU carbon rules / Regulations / Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Method Recommendation
In force Guidance Industry & products
Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Method Recommendation
Methods for measuring and communicating life-cycle environmental performance (PEF / OEF)
- Reference
- Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279
- Key date
- 2021
- Applies to
- Companies issuing product environmental footprints and responding to customer data requests
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Who the regulation applies to
This regulation applies to:
- Member States (in using the PEF/OEF methods in voluntary policies and schemes relating to the life-cycle environmental performance of products and organisations)
- Private and public organisations measuring or intending to measure the life-cycle environmental performance of their products or organisations
- Entities communicating life-cycle environmental performance information to private, public and civil society stakeholders in the EU
- (Not applicable) The implementation of mandatory EU legislation that already specifies a particular calculation method; this Recommendation does not apply to it
This entry is a Commission Recommendation (Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279), a non-legislative instrument.
The following provisions define its scope:
1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE — points 1.1–1.3
1.1. This Recommendation promotes the use of the Environmental Footprint methods in relevant policies and schemes related to the measurement and/or communication of the life cycle environmental performance of all kinds of products, including both goods and services, and of organisations. 1.2. This Recommendation is addressed to Member States and to private and public organisations that measure or intend to measure the life cycle environmental performance of their product or of their organisation, and/or communicate or intend to communicate life cycle environmental performance information to any private, public and civil society stakeholder in the EU. 1.3. This Recommendation does not apply to the implementation of EU mandatory legislation that foresees a specific methodology for the calculation of the life cycle environmental performance of products or organisations. This Recommendation may however be referred to by EU legislation or policy as a method for the calculation of the life cycle environmental performance of products or organisations.
02
What the regulation requires
| Duty | Trigger | Evidence | Timing |
Use PEF / OEF methods to measure and communicate environmental performance
When voluntarily measuring or communicating life-cycle environmental performance, environmental footprint methods should be used. | Voluntary measurement or communication of life-cycle environmental performance | PEF / OEF study report | Ongoing |
Use category rules where a PEFCR exists
Where a PEFCR exists for a product category, the environmental footprint must be calculated according to the category rules. | A PEFCR exists for the product category | PEFCR applicability statement and calculation documents | Ongoing |
Complete verification before disclosure to third parties
PEF / OEF studies disclosed to third parties must be verified in accordance with the methodological requirements. | Disclosing a PEF / OEF study to third parties | Verification report | Before disclosure |
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Key provisions
Point 1.1 — purpose and scope of the recommendation
This Recommendation promotes the use of the Environmental Footprint methods in relevant policies and schemes related to the measurement and/or communication of the life cycle environmental performance of all kinds of products, including both goods and services, and of organisations. — Reference: Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279, point 1.1.
Point 2(a)-(e) — definitions of PEF, OEF and category rules
The Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method is a general method to measure and communicate the potential life cycle environmental impact of a product, laid down in Annex I. Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCRs) are product-category-specific, life-cycle-based rules that complement the general methodological guidance; if a PEFCR exists, it should be used for calculating the footprint of a product belonging to that category. — Reference: Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279, point 2(a) and (e).
Points 3.1, 4.1 and 7.1 — use by Member States and companies; verification
Member States should use the PEF or OEF method and the related PEFCRs/OEFSRs in voluntary policies involving the measurement or communication of life cycle environmental performance, while ensuring such policies do not create obstacles to the free movement of goods. Companies deciding to measure or communicate life cycle environmental performance should use the PEF and OEF methods. Where PEF and OEF studies are disclosed to third parties, they should be verified according to the requirements of the methods and any specific indications in PEFCRs and OEFSRs. — Reference: Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279, points 3.1, 4.1 and 7.1.
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Industry dossiers covering this regulation