Environmental Footprint Expert Group

Introduction

The need to communicate the environmental impact of products in a credible way from a life cycle perspective is increasing. Part of the European Commission’s initiative ”Single Market for Green Products” aims to facilitate better information on the environmental performance of products and organisations. This lead to the development of Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and Organisation Environmental Footprint (OEF). Two methods that the EU Commission started to develop in 2013. PEF and OEF have since been tested, evaluated, and developed further. Policies and legislative proposals are emerging based on PEF.

The Environmental Footprint methods measure and communicate the environmental performance of products (both goods and services) and organisations across their whole life cycle. From raw material extraction or growing to the end-of-life management, via production, distribution and use.

Environmental Footprint Methods – European Commission

Aim of the expert group

Follow, understand and impact the development of the Environmental Footprint (EF) methodologies (PEF and OEF). Exchange of information and experiences between Life cycle professionals on the methodologies and the implementation of the EF in EU and national policy. Some coordination of the Technical Advisory Board (TAB) representatives from Sweden.

Overview of Environmental Footprint

Overview of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method – What is PEF? (March 30, 2021)

Target group

Life cycle professionals, researchers, decision-makers, practitioners, policy-makers, Swedish representatives in the TAB. Both partners and other invited stakeholders can take part.

Expected outcomes

Continued national coordination on Environmental footprint between Swedish experts with an impact on the methodological development. Better insight in the development of the methods (PEF and OEF) and better understanding of the policy and legislation process. TAB representatives in the group will give short report from meetings within the Technical Advisory Board (TAB) and the EF-subgroup of the IPP/SCP-RE (Integrated Product Policy/Sustainable Consumption and Production-Resource Efficiency).

If funding from funding agency, this group will be important for testing and implementing the PEF methods/parts of the method.

Discussions regarding consequences of the Green Claims initiative on life cycle related environmental communication will be prioritized.

Depending on TAB and EF sub group meetings, discussions and consultations, some meetings could be arranged to support representatives from Sweden in this work. The group can then be invited to meetings that will have focus on specific methodological issues. These meetings will be communicated with the group and in the Center´s communication channels (newsletters and internal web page).