A PEF study is conducted in accordance with the PEF Category Rules (PEFCR) that apply to the product. The scope and goal of the study are determined first. Then data is collected to make a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI). Next, the LCA model is developed using the LCI information and EF background datasets. The results are calculated, analysed, and interpreted. Afterwards a PEF report is developed and reviewed by an external reviewer.

The results of a PEF study cover 16 separate environmental impact categories, which are calculated using standardised (characterisation) factors included in the LCA modelling software. The 16 categories are:

1. Climate change (kg CO₂-equivalents)
2. Ozone depletion (kg CFC-11-equivalents)
3. Ionizing radiation (kBq U-235-equivalents to air)
4. Photochemical ozone formation (kg NMVOC-equivalents)
5. Particulate matter (disease incidence)
6. Acidification (mol H⁺-equivalents)
7. Eutrophication, terrestrial (mol N-equivalents)
8. Eutrophication, freshwater (kg P-equivalents)
9. Eutrophication, marine (kg N-equivalents)
10. Ecotoxicity, freshwater (CTUe)
11. Human toxicity, cancer effects (CTUh)
12. Human toxicity, non-cancer effects (CTUh)
13. Land use (Points, soil organic carbon loss)
14. Water use (m³ world-equivalents)
15. Resource use, fossils (MJ)
16. Resource use, minerals and metals (kg Sb-equivalents)

In PEF, the single score combines results from all 16 environmental impact categories into one aggregated value expressed in environmental footprint points (EF pts). This is done by normalising and weighting each impact category according to its relative importance at EU level, so the final score represents the overall environmental performance of a product and allows easier comparison between alternatives or the representative product.

Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) are a set of product-group-specific rules that complement the general PEF method. A PEFCR is developed at industry level to predefine important methodological aspects for a particular product group. For example, the definition of the functional unit, system boundaries, mandatory data to collect, modelling requirements, and how to calculate impacts. A PEFCR also specifies how results must be reported and communicated for a PEF study using the PEFCR.

For PEF studies, you must follow the PEFCR if one exists for your product group, in addition to the general PEF method. If no PEFCR exists, you follow the general PEF method and any applicable horizontal guidance (if available) instead.

The currently valid PEFCRs and their status can be found here.

PEFCRs are valid only for a defined period (generally between 4-6 years) and need periodic review and updating.

An EF background dataset is an LCI dataset available in the EF database. It is used to model background processes that are not directly measured or modelled using company primary data, such as electricity mixes, transport modes, raw material production, waste treatment, packaging, and similar processes.

Their purpose is to provide consistent, high-quality data for all background processes in an PEF study, so that practitioners do not need to model these from scratch. Additionally, PEFCR prescribe which EF datasets should be used for key processes in the product life cycle, to ensure consistency between PEF studies.

The datasets are either integrated into your LCA software or can be downloaded here and imported.