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Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Pilot Phase—Comparability over Flexibility?

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  • Vanessa Bach

    (Chair of Sustainable Engineering, Institute of Environmental Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

  • Annekatrin Lehmann

    (Chair of Sustainable Engineering, Institute of Environmental Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

  • Marcel Görmer

    (Chair of Sustainable Engineering, Institute of Environmental Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

  • Matthias Finkbeiner

    (Chair of Sustainable Engineering, Institute of Environmental Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

The main goal of the European product environmental footprint (PEF) method is to increase comparability of environmental impacts of products within certain product categories by decreasing flexibility and therefore achieving reproducibility of results. Comparability is supposed to be further increased by developing product category specific rules (PEFCRs). The aim of this paper is to evaluate if the main goal of the PEF method has been achieved. This is done by a comprehensive analysis of the PEF guide, the current PEFCR guide, the developed PEFCRs, as well as the insights gained from participating in the pilot phase. The analysis reveals that the PEF method as well as its implementation in PEFCRs are not able to guarantee fair comparability due to shortcomings related to the (1) definition of product performance; (2) definition of the product category; (3) definition and determination of the representative product; (4) modeling of electricity; (5) requirements for the use of secondary data; (6) circular footprint formula; (7) life cycle impact assessment methods; and (8) approach to prioritize impact categories. For some of these shortcomings, recommendations for improvement are provided. This paper demonstrates that the PEF method has to be further improved to guarantee fair comparability.

Suggested Citation

  • Vanessa Bach & Annekatrin Lehmann & Marcel Görmer & Matthias Finkbeiner, 2018. "Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Pilot Phase—Comparability over Flexibility?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:8:p:2898-:d:163913
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Annekatrin Lehmann & Vanessa Bach & Matthias Finkbeiner, 2016. "EU Product Environmental Footprint—Mid-Term Review of the Pilot Phase," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Genovese, Andrea & Acquaye, Adolf A. & Figueroa, Alejandro & Koh, S.C. Lenny, 2017. "Sustainable supply chain management and the transition towards a circular economy: Evidence and some applications," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 66(PB), pages 344-357.
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    2. Roel J. K. Helmes & Pietro Goglio & Silvia Salomoni & Daan S. van Es & Iris Vural Gursel & Lusine Aramyan, 2022. "Environmental Impacts of End-of-Life Options of Biobased and Fossil-Based Polyethylene Terephthalate and High-Density Polyethylene Packaging," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Katarzyna Joachimiak-Lechman & Dawid Garstecki & Marcin Konopczyński & Anna Lewandowska, 2020. "Implementation of Life Cycle Based Tools in the Circular Economy Context—Case Study of Plastic Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Vassilis Litskas & Athanasia Mandoulaki & Ioannis N. Vogiatzakis & Nikolaos Tzortzakis & Menelaos Stavrinides, 2020. "Sustainable Viticulture: First Determination of the Environmental Footprint of Grapes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-18, October.
    5. Golinucci, Nicolò & Tonini, Francesco & Rocco, Matteo Vincenzo & Colombo, Emanuela, 2023. "Towards BitCO2, an individual consumption-based carbon emission reduction mechanism," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).

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