PCF is a specific subset of LCA that focuses exclusively on quantifying the carbon emissions generated at each stage of a product or service over its lifecycle from production to disposal. PCF is based on average data from production, purchased raw materials and purchased energy. It is particularly useful for assessing and reducing the specific carbon emissions associated with a product, which is crucial for addressing climate change.
There are various ISO standards that have been developed to calculate a PCF. These include (not limited to):
ISO 14067 Standard19 – published in 2018, by The International Standards Organisation, builds on ISO standards for LCA , considered to be the international reference standard for calculating a PCF. It specifies principles, requirements and guidelines for the quantification and reporting of the carbon footprint of a product, consistent with International Standards on LCA, ISO 14040 and ISO 14044) This standard is considered to be a more general standard where the two standards below provide more detail with less space for interpretation.
PAS 205020, one of the first carbon footprint standards developed, first published in 2008 and revised in 2011 and developed by the British Standards Institute (BSI)
GHG Protocol Product Standard18 – this was developed to be consistent with PAS 2050, however also including requirements for public reporting. Importantly, PAS 2050 and the GHGP Product Standards provide a consistent approach to the use and development of sector specific rules, known as product rules in the Product Standards and supplementary requirements in the PAS 2050 standard. This approach recognises the importance for sector/product specific rules in aiding consistent application of the standards within sectors.