What is Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)

A product's environmental footprint (PEF) measures the total environmental impacts of a product during its life cycle. This process includes all stages from the extraction of raw materials, through production, distribution, use up to disposal or recycling. PEF is a comprehensive indicator of the product's environmental effect, including various aspects such as climate change, ozone layer destruction, water consumption and waste generation.

PEF is an important tool for carbon footprint and sustainability management, as it offers a standardized method for evaluating and comparing the environmental impact of products. Knowledge of PEF enables companies to identify opportunities to reduce their environmental impact, increase efficiency and make more sustainable decisions.

Origin and development of PEF

The European Commission has developed the concept of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) as part of an initiative to create a single market for organic products. This tool aims to provide a common methodology that will enable comparison of the environmental properties of products and services. The development of the PEF methodology involved extensive stakeholder consultation and pilot testing to ensure its reliability and applicability to a variety of products and industries. The methodology is constantly reviewed and updated in accordance with the latest scientific knowledge and environmental priorities.

The PEF methodology rests on several key principles. First of all, it uses the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, which means that it takes into account all stages of the product's life cycle - from the extraction of raw materials to its disposal or recycling. The second principle is evaluation according to multiple criteria, which covers a wide range of environmental issues, instead of focusing on one issue such as carbon footprint or water consumption. This multidisciplinary approach enables a more comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact of products.

The PEF calculation involves several stages. It begins by defining a functional unit of the product that serves as a measure of comparison. The following is a list of all inputs (raw materials, energy) and outputs (emissions, waste) associated with the life cycle of the product. Then the environmental impacts of these inputs and outputs are assessed using impact categories and characterization factors. Finally, the results are interpreted and conclusions about the environmental properties of the product are made.

Application of PEF

PEF is widely used in the fields of carbon management and sustainability. For example, in the design and development of products, it enables the identification of opportunities to reduce environmental impact, such as changing materials or increasing energy efficiency. PEF can also help in the selection of suppliers and products with a lower environmental impact and in marketing activities to promote the sustainability of products.

The European Commission incorporates the PEF methodology into its rules for specific product categories, providing detailed guidance on the calculation of PEF for different types of products. PEF is also part of environmental labeling in many countries, helping to inform consumers about the ecological properties of products and increasing the demand for more sustainable products.

PEF in business strategy

For companies, PEF can be the key to improving environmental performance and gaining competitive advantage. It allows them to recognize opportunities to optimize costs and increase efficiency, while also serving as a marketing and communication tool, which can attract environmentally conscious consumers and strengthen the brand.

Although PEF offers a comprehensive method for evaluating the ecological behavior of products, it faces several challenges. The main ones include the complexity and cost of the calculation process, which can be problematic for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, there is a lack of accurate data, which can lead to variability in results, as well as difficulties associated with properly communicating and interpreting PEF results to a general audience.