CEN-CLC Coordination Group: Advancing Harmonization for Product Category Rules (PCR)
Scope
Many sectors have started developing Product Category Rules (PCRs) or so-called product-specific rules. While most PCRs are currently developed by independent Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) program operators, sectoral associations, and private initiatives, several CEN/CLC Technical Committees (TCs) have also begun developing them. To ensure comparability of environmental properties across different products, it is vital to establish a coherent and consistent set of cross-sectoral PCRs when developing them as EN standards.
The topic meeting, held on 4 March at Cenelec, brought together 80 participants, including experts from all relevant Technical Committees (TCs)—such as the construction sector—and representatives from DG ENV to discuss potential harmonization.
Summary and Key Conclusions from the meeting
The session provided a comprehensive overview of the current standards landscape, specifically focusing on Product Category Rules (PCR) and Environmental Footprints (EF). A key objective was to outline a new initiative dedicated to developing harmonized PCRs across industry sectors.
The meeting concluded with several critical observations regarding the future of product standardization and environmental reporting:
- Sectoral Evolution: Historically, the construction sector has led the way in establishing frameworks. The electrotechnical sector is now following this blueprint, recently developing its own Product Category Rules (PCRs) for items like e.g. electric cables and Product Specific Rules (PSRs) for e.g. electric motors.
- Methodological Gaps: A significant lack of common terminology is a barrier to cross-sectoral alignment.
- Data Challenges: There is currently no unified database, leading to a shortage of compatible, high-quality data. Key obstacles include unresolved questions over data ownership and intellectual property rights. A centralized solution from the European Commission is not anticipated in the short term.
- Emerging Initiatives: While formal efforts are underway to gather compatible-quality data, some market stakeholders are pursuing parallel initiatives outside of traditional standardization bodies.
- Drivers for Reporting: Participants noted a distinction in motivations: Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) are largely driven by regulations, whereas Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are market-driven, serving as tools for commercial comparison regarding e.g. price and efficiency.
- Future Guidance: To support the transition from general rules to specific applications, a CEN-CLC Guide providing instructions for creating PSRs from PCRs is expected to be published in 2027.
- Strategic Proposals: National standards bodies AFNOR (France) and DIN (Germany) are currently co-developing a formal harmonization proposal to be presented to the European Commission.
The BEC is planning a webinar for its members on this topic later in 2026. Please stay tuned for the latest updates and schedule.
Source of the pictures: CEN-CENELEC