Product Category Rules
PCR — the rules for EPD development
Product Category Rules (PCR) provide rules and guidelines for conducting life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and developing EPDs for specific product categories.
PCRs are developed to enable different practitioners to generate consistent results when assessing products in the same category and to support product comparability within a product category.
PCRs in the International EPD System (IES) are developed to account for all environmentally relevant aspects of the product life cycle. They have a global scope and wide applicability, minimising trade barriers.
A PCR in IES is developed in an open, transparent, and participatory process in compliance with ISO 14025, ISO 14044, and other relevant standards, as well as following the rules in the General Programme Instructions (GPI). The PCR is developed by a PCR Committee, composed of a PCR Moderator and LCA/EPD experts from multiple organisations, while the Technical Committee is in charge of PCR review and approval. The Secretariat of the IES guides and oversees the process.
Participate in PCR development
In all PCR development steps, we not only depend on individuals and organisations that have LCA and project management expert skills, we also highly depend on market/industry experts.
PCRs in IES
Product Category Rules or PCRs provide the rules and guidelines for developing an EPD for a specific product category.
PCRs in the International EPD System (IES) can be subcategorised into stand-alone PCRs, main PCRs and complementary PCRs (c-PCRs). Main PCRs cover broader product categories than stand-alone PCRs, and may be complemented by c-PCRs, which provide further rules and guidance for products on specific subcategories. For example, the c-PCR on cement products complements the PCR on construction products.
Since the establishment of the IES, there have been 100+ PCRs and c-PCRs developed covering a great variety of product categories and subcategories. There are also 20+ PCRs adopted from EN standards and other programme operators. In addition, there are several external PCRs that can be used in certain contexts. The PCRs are accessible in the PCR Library.
The IES maintains the copyright of the draft and final PCR, to ensure its publication, updates, and availability for EPD development and registration. Involved stakeholders in the PCR development are acknowledged in the final document on EPD Portal and in the PCR Library.