From product life cycle information to verification and label preparation, let carbon footprint become a credible basis for product improvement and market communication
Product carbon footprint does not evenly distribute the total factory emissions to all products, but uses clear product functions and life cycle boundaries to inventory greenhouse gas emissions generated in raw materials, manufacturing, packaging, transportation, use and end-of-life stages.
Startrust assists companies to select products for inspection, set functional units and system boundaries, establish process and data models, perform carbon footprint calculations and hotspot analysis, and prepare information required for third-party verification or carbon label applications in accordance with ISO 14067 and applicable program requirements. The coaching also pays attention to supplier information, shared process allocation and supporting quality, so that the results can not only be calculated, but also reasonably explained and continuously updated.
- Establish functional units, reference flows and system boundaries that fit the product’s purpose
- Integrate raw material, energy, process, packaging, transportation, usage and waste data
- Complete product carbon footprint model, report and data quality description
- Support third-party verification and application preparation for applicable carbon labeling schemes
- Identify high-emission raw materials and processes to formulate product carbon reduction and improvement directions
Why do companies need to conduct product carbon footprint inspections?
Respond to brand customers and international supply chain requirements
Customers no longer only ask about a company’s overall emissions, but are also increasingly requesting carbon emission data for specific materials, components or products. Product carbon footprint can help companies answer the emission sources from raw materials to shipment, and even extend to the use and disposal stages with consistent logic, reducing the burden of re-estimating each inquiry.
Support low-carbon product design and purchasing decisions
After completing a life cycle analysis, companies can identify where major emissions come from the material, energy, yield, transportation, packaging or use stages. R&D and procurement teams can compare different materials, suppliers, processes or design solutions instead of just relying on unit prices or intuitive judgments.
Prepare for verification, carbon labeling and environmental communication
Some markets, customers or public procurement will require verified product carbon footprints, and companies may also wish to apply for specific carbon labels. These uses usually have additional requirements for calculation rules, report content, verification and labeling methods, which should be confirmed when the project is started to avoid discovering after calculation that the boundaries or data do not comply with the application plan.
Establish product carbon reduction and performance tracking benchmarks
The product carbon footprint can be used as the basis for comparison before and after improvement, but only if the functional units, system boundaries, data periods and calculation methods are consistent. Institutionalized data models allow companies to quickly update after changes in raw materials, energy or processes, and continuously track product carbon reduction results.
ISO 14067 What is the product carbon footprint?
ISO 14067 standardizes the quantification and reporting principles of product carbon footprints and some product carbon footprints. The method is consistent with the life cycle assessment framework of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, focusing on the environmental impact category of “climate change”. According to the ISO official website, ISO 14067:2018 is still the current version, but it has entered the revision process.
Product carbon footprint is presented in carbon dioxide equivalent
Different greenhouse gases are converted into carbon dioxide equivalents based on their global warming potential. The results represent the climate change impact of the product calculated based on the set boundaries and methods. It does not equal all the environmental impacts of the product, nor can it alone represent the overall sustainable performance of the product.
ISO 14067 standard quantification does not mean automatically obtaining a carbon label
ISO 14067 mainly deals with the quantification and reporting of product carbon footprints. Carbon offsetting and external communication are not its core specification scope. The carbon label is a labeling and application system for a specific scheme, which may have product category rules, data periods, verification, review, use periods and graphic specifications.
Therefore, completing an ISO 14067 carbon footprint report does not mean that any label has been obtained; companies must apply separately according to the requirements of the target market or program unit.
What are the differences between product carbon footprint, organizational carbon inventory and carbon label?
| Comparison Orientation | Organizational Carbon Inventory | Product Carbon Footprint | Carbon Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inquiry object | Company, subsidiary or operating base | Specific product or service function | Label for external use after plan review |
| Common basis | ISO 14064-1, GHG Protocol | ISO 14067, applicable product category rules | Management specifications for each labeling scheme |
| Main boundaries | Organizational and operational boundaries | Product life cycle system boundaries | Inspection results adopted according to program requirements |
| Main purposes | Disclosure, verification, carbon reduction and organizational management | Product improvement, customer data and comparison basis | External communication of vetted carbon information |
| Result relationship | Provides partial operational and energy data | Requires further allocation to specific products | Typically based on verified carbon footprint |
Organizational inventory can provide basic information such as electricity, fuel and refrigerant in the factory, but product carbon footprints also need to establish product processes, output, materials, shared equipment distribution and upstream and downstream data, and cannot be directly replaced by the organization’s total emissions.
How to calculate product carbon footprint?
1. Define goals and intended use
The first confirmation results will be used for internal improvement, customer feedback, product comparison, third-party verification or carbon label application. Different uses may affect data accuracy, verification requirements, boundaries and reporting formats.
2. Set functional units and reference flows
Functional units describe the functionality and quantitative basis provided by the product, such as “delivering a product that meets specified specifications” or “providing services for a specific period and performance.” The reference flow is the quantity of products required to implement the function. If the functional definitions are inconsistent, it is not appropriate to directly compare the carbon footprint figures of the two products.
3. Establish life cycle system boundaries
Determine whether to cover raw material acquisition, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, use and end-of-life based on the purpose of the research. If the carbon footprint of some products is collected, the covered and excluded stages must be clearly stated to avoid readers from mistakenly thinking that the results represent the complete life cycle.
4. Create process flow chart and data list
Visualize the steps of products from raw material input, in-factory processes, shared facilities to shipment, and mark the materials, energy, output, by-products, waste and transportation data required for each process. Flowcharts are also an important tool for identifying cut items and preventing omissions.
5. Collect primary and secondary data
The primary data comes from the actual activities of enterprises or suppliers, such as material weight, electricity consumption, fuel volume, transportation distance and waste volume; the secondary data may come from carbon footprint databases, industry data or literature. Data sources should be determined based on importance and availability, and year, region, technical representation, and limitations should be recorded.
6. Handle shared processes and distribution
When multiple products share equipment, production lines, factory services or transportation, a reasonable allocation method needs to be chosen. Enterprises should give priority to avoiding unnecessary allocations; when it is unavoidable, they should allocate based on physical relationships or other explainable bases, and conduct sensitivity reviews.
7. Calculate, check and interpret results
Convert activity data and applicable emission coefficients into greenhouse gas emissions at each life cycle stage, check units, quantity balances, distribution results and outliers, and finally analyze main emission sources and data quality.
Which companies are suitable to start importing?
- Customers require carbon emission information for specific products or components
- The product export market begins to pay attention to low-carbon products and environmental claims
- Want to apply for a carbon label or participate in low-carbon product procurement
- R&D, procurement or manufacturing units need to compare different design options
- A higher proportion of high-carbon materials, energy or transportation costs
- Completed organizational inventory and hope to extend the data to the product level
- There are many types of products and we hope to establish a carbon footprint model that can be applied repeatedly
During the first implementation, it is recommended to give priority to products with more complete data, representative processes, clear customer needs or higher improvement value, first establish a replicable method, and then expand to other products.
What information does the company need to prepare?
Raw materials and supplier information
Including the type, weight, origin, recycled content, supplier carbon footprint or environmental information of raw materials, components, excipients and packaging materials. If only common database coefficients can be obtained for important raw materials, the restrictions should be recorded and plans should be made to obtain more representative data from suppliers in the future.
Manufacturing and Energy Information
Including each process input and output, yield, loss, electricity, fuel, steam, refrigerant, water and waste. If the equipment produces multiple products at the same time, it is necessary to obtain working hours, output, weight or other data that can support allocation.
Transportation and warehousing information
Including transportation mode, origin and destination, distance, loading, weight and temperature control or warehousing requirements. If the actual route cannot be obtained, it can be estimated based on reasonable assumptions, but the source of the assumptions should be retained.
Usage and end-of-life information
If the product consumes energy, materials or consumables during the use phase, assumptions about use scenarios, lifespan and region need to be established; at the end of life, recycling, incineration, burial or other disposal methods need to be considered. Such assumptions often have a large impact on the results and should be checked for plausibility and sensitivity.
Common product carbon footprint issues among companies
The purpose of the results was not confirmed at first
If you decide to apply for a label or respond to a specific customer late in the project, you may need to reset boundaries, supplement data, or recalculate. Applicable specifications and verification plans should be confirmed before starting.
The functional unit only writes product weight
Weight is not necessarily indicative of product functionality. If products have different performance, service life or service volumes, comparing emissions per kilogram alone may lead to misinterpretations. Functional units should reflect the purpose of the study.
Direct and equal sharing of shared energy
Although it is simple to directly divide the total electricity consumption of the factory by the total output, it may not reflect the differences in equipment, labor hours and manufacturing processes of different products. The allocation method should be consistent with the actual resource consumption relationship.
Supplier data is not checked for boundaries
Figures provided by vendors may cover different life cycles, years, geographies or functional units. Boundaries, units, verification status and comparability should be confirmed before use, and cannot be included directly just because the other party provides a carbon number.
Deduct the carbon offset directly from the product carbon footprint
The quantitative results of ISO 14067 should present the life cycle emissions of the product itself. Carbon rights, offsets or other claims should be handled separately according to the applicable plan and cannot be mixed into the basic inventory results to cause misleading.
How does Startrust assist enterprises in importing?
1. Confirmation of product, purpose and applicable specifications
Confirm the inventory of products, specifications, intended uses, target markets, customer requirements, verification and carbon label requirements, and establish project scope and data responsibilities.
2. Functional units and system boundary settings
Establish life cycle boundaries, reference flows, truncation principles and reporting units based on product functions, processes and supply chains, and confirm whether applicable product category rules are adopted.
3. Process inventory and data form creation
Establish process flow charts, input-output and data lists through on-site or online interviews, clearly indicating departments, suppliers, data periods, units and supporting requirements.
4. Data collection and quality assessment
Assist enterprises to compile raw materials, energy, manufacturing processes, transportation, packaging, usage and end-of-life data, check completeness, representativeness and consistency, and establish gaps and estimation principles.
5. Allocation, coefficients and model establishment
Establish a reasonable calculation model for shared processes, by-products, recycled materials or complex supply chains, select applicable emission coefficients and record versions, regions and sources.
6. Carbon footprint calculation and hot spot analysis
Calculate emissions at each life cycle stage, perform quantity balance, unit and exception checks, and identify main materials, processes and sources of data uncertainty.
7. Report preparation and internal capability transfer
Complete the product carbon footprint report and necessary explanations, and enable R&D, procurement, manufacturing and sustainability personnel to understand the model and subsequent update methods through education and training.
8. Verification and carbon label preparation
Organize third-party verification sampling data according to the needs of the enterprise and assist in responding to improvement matters; if applying for a carbon label, prepare application documents according to the program requirements. The verification statement and label issuance results are determined by the independent verification agency and the program management unit respectively.
Coaching content and deliverables
Main counseling work
- Inventory product, intended use and confirmation of applicable specifications
- Functional units, reference flows and system boundary settings
- Product life cycle and process flow inventory
- Establishment of activity data, emission coefficients and supporting requirements
- Shared processes, by-products and recycled material distribution methods
- Product carbon footprint calculation, verification and hot spot analysis
- Report preparation, education and training, and pre-verification preparation
- Application information support for applicable carbon labeling schemes
Expected deliverables
- Product carbon footprint project plan
- Description of functional units and system boundaries
- Life cycle and process flow chart
- Data requirements and supplier information list
- Activity data and calculation model
- Emission coefficient and data quality records
- Product carbon footprint inventory report
- Emission hot spots and improvement suggestions
- Verify sampling and improve tracking data
- Preparation documents for carbon label application (if applicable)
The delivery content is confirmed based on product quantity, life cycle scope, applicable solutions, supply chain complexity and verification requirements.
What changes can be brought about after importing?
From product carbon emission estimation to a traceable life cycle model
Each important data has a source, period, unit, coefficient and calculation relationship, which can explain how the number is formed, and can also be updated after changes in raw materials or processes.
From passively responding to customers to establishing a product carbon database
Enterprises can accumulate data on materials, equipment, processes and suppliers, gradually shorten the time for inventory of other products, and improve the consistency of responses to customer inquiries.
From just looking at the total number, to identifying product carbon reduction hot spots
R&D, procurement and manufacturing teams can see which materials, processes or life cycle stages the main emissions come from, giving improvement plans a common data base.
From claiming low carbon to supporting communication with verification and documents
Companies can prepare verification or labeling materials in accordance with applicable plans to reduce the risk of environmental claims lacking evidence, unclear boundaries, or raising concerns about greenwashing.
From a one-time project to a continuously updated management process
With fixed forms, models and responsibilities, product revisions, supplier changes or new year’s data can be systematically incorporated without having to start from scratch each time.
Why choose Startrust?
Product carbon footprint requires a simultaneous understanding of standards, processes, suppliers and data. Startrust combines sustainability consulting and carbon management system capabilities to help companies transform life cycle methods into executable data collection, calculation, review and update processes.
For companies with many products, complex BOMs, or high cross-department reporting requirements, they can use the Product Carbon Footprint Management Module to centrally manage activity data, emission coefficients, calculation models, supporting evidence, and different product versions, reducing the burden of repeated sorting and manual conversions.
FAQ
What is the difference between ISO 14067 and PAS 2050?
Both can be used to quantify greenhouse gases in the product life cycle, but the publishing organization, provision structure and some methodological requirements are different. Enterprises should choose according to the specifications specified by the customer, verification or labeling scheme, and establish method comparisons if necessary.
Should we do organizational carbon inventory or product carbon footprint first?
If the company has not yet established energy and operational emission data, completing an organizational inventory first will usually help to obtain basic factory data for product carbon footprints; however, if the customer has specified products and deadlines, this can also be done simultaneously. The actual sequence depends on requirements and data maturity.
How many products can be checked at one time?
There is no fixed quantity. Product process similarity, BOM complexity, data integrity, verification arrangements and project schedule should be considered. For initial import, we usually first select a representative product to build a model, and then evaluate how to copy it to the same series of products.
What should I do if the supplier cannot provide product carbon data?
You can first establish reasonable estimates based on applicable databases or industry data, and document data quality and limitations. At the same time, we will set priority improvements for key suppliers with high emissions or high purchase amounts, and gradually obtain more representative first-level data.
How to distribute electricity for shared equipment and factory services?
Priority should be given to finding physical relationships to actual consumption, such as equipment hours, output, weight, or measurement data. If other allocation bases are adopted, the reasons need to be explained and the impact of different methods on the results needs to be evaluated.
Can I obtain a carbon label by completing ISO 14067?
cannot be directly equated. Carbon labels are reviewed by specific scheme management units in accordance with their rules, which usually involve product category rules, third-party verification, document review and labeling management. Target plans should be confirmed before the project is launched.
How often does the product carbon footprint need to be updated?
Update frequency depends on labeling schemes, customer requirements and product changes. When there are major changes in raw materials, suppliers, processes, energy, origin, transportation or product design, whether to recalculate should be evaluated even if the fixed period has not yet reached.
Extended reading and related services
- ISO 14067 What is the product carbon footprint?
- In the face of customer carbon footprint requirements, how to manage the carbon emission data of electronic products?
- What preparations should be made before the product enters the international market?
- ISO 14064-1／GHG Protocol Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tutorial
- Enterprise internal carbon pricing system introduction consultant
- Product Carbon Footprint Management Module
If you already have a target product, you can first prepare product specifications, BOM, manufacturing process flow, annual production, energy data, and scenarios for expected carbon footprint results, and let consultants help assess system boundaries and data gaps.