Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method and the link with EPDs

Transcription

1 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

2 Why EF methods? 2010: - proliferation of labels a potential threat to Single Market - request from major industry players - Council conclusions This makes impossible the systematic use of LCA in policy making BUT Same product Different results We need information that is reproducible, comparable, and verifiable

3 Why not using something already existing? BP X ISO ISO Product Standards, Greenhouse Gas Protocol (WRI/ WBCSD) PAS 2050 ILCD Handbook Ecological footprint Full report available at:

4 EF Pilots Finalised PEFCRs Finalised OEFSRs Retail sector Copper sector Batteries and accumulators Decorative paints IT equipment Leather Thermal insulation Beer Dairy products Feed Pet food Pasta Coming in autumn Hot & cold water pipe systems Liquid household detergents Metal sheets Photovoltaic electricity generation Intermediate paper products T-shirts Uninterrupted power supplies Olive oil Wine Packed water

5 The pilot phase PEFCRs OEFSRs Benchmarking SME Tool Participants (27 pilots): 2024 individual stakeholders (5322 participations) Free data Verification Communication Europe: 85.2% Asia: 4.3% N. America: 5.3% S. America: 2.9% Africa: 0.15% Stakeholders in the world ( = leading stakeholders) Oceania: 0.8% leading stakeholders in the 23 active pilots TS less than 51%; 22% 51% or more market share; 37% 75% or more market share; 38% The EU market is behind the pilots: 73% of pilots have the majority of industry in the lead

6 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

7 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)

8 Added values of EF methods

9 PEF and EPDs EPD is a communication vehicle, with info based on a conform LCA PEF is an LCA calculation method -> an EPD can be calculated based on PEF but an EPD based on ISO would not be automatically PEF compliant Main differences: Absence of benchmark End of life (CFF formula) Some modelling requirements Data quality requirements

10 PEF and EN EN 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 also in EC policies. IF the text is not approved or is modified, then EC will use PEF also for construction products and buildings.

11 PEF and EN Main changes: 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

12 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 Darwin s law applies to tools and labels Who should bring real sustainability into practice? The policy makers Select a method/tool Use it consistently for years

13 Numbers of products in the market Ecodesign Product policies TODAY PRODUCT INTERVENTIONS Overall approach Cut out the least sustainable products Drive the existing market towards greater sustainability GPP Encourage development of new, more sustainable products Interventions: Minimum standards Interventions: Pricing and trading Voluntary initiatives Producer responsibility Business support Procurement Labelling Public information Ecolabel Interventions: Support innovation Less PRODUCT SUSTAINABILITY More

14 Status & next steps 23-25/04 Final conference April 2018 Finalise pilot Analyse results Policy proposal Policy in place Transition phase April 2018 Some pilots still ongoing, to be finalised by Autumn 2018 Monitoring the voluntary implementation of PEFCRs/ OEFSRs Development of PEFCRs/ OEFSRs Methodological improvements Toxicity-related impact categories Resource use impact category

15 Imola Bedo Michele Galatola An De Schryver