Product Carbon Footprint
You cannot see what a product causes just by looking at it. But you can make it visible.
We calculate the greenhouse gas emissions of your product within a clearly defined life cycle. This allows you to identify which materials, processes, and routes have the greatest impact – and provides a transparent basis for development, purchasing, and product information.
THE STORY BEHIND THE PRODUCT
The most important number is not automatically the smallest one. But the one that you understand.
Materials are extracted, processed and transported. Energy is used, parts are assembled, and products are packaged and passed on.
A Product Carbon Footprint puts these stages into context. Not simply so that you end up with the smallest possible figure, but so that the decisions that shaped that figure become visible.
Products do not get better because we give them a number. They get better when that number changes decisions.
WHAT A PCF MAKES POSSIBLE
01
Make material proportions visible
02
Understand materials and variants
03
Classify supplier data
04
Substantiating product information
WHAT A PCF ACTUALLY IS
A PCF is a number with an address.
The result never stands alone. It belongs to a precisely described product and an agreed calculation framework.
01
Product
Which product or variant is being considered?
02
Reference unit
Does the result refer to a single item, a kilogram, or a defined output?
03
Life path
Which stations start and end the product section under consideration?
04
Data status
From which period do quantities, energy data, and other basis data originate?
05
Methodology
Which sources, emission factors, assumptions and rules were used?
CO₂e
WHICH PATH ARE WE LOOKING AT?
We first determine the start and end. Then we begin to calculate.
A PCF can consider the full life cycle or a clearly defined part of it. Which system boundary is appropriate depends on the product, data availability, and intended use.
01
Commodities
02
intermediate products
03
Manufacturing
04
Transport
05
Usage
06
End of life
CRADLE-TO-GATE
Up to the factory gate
From raw material extraction to the finished product at the factory gate – often suitable for precursors, components and B2B enquiries.
CRADLE-TO-GRAVE
From raw material to end of life
Additionally includes use and end-of-life phases, if these stages are crucial to the question at hand.
Partial PCF
Exactly the snippet that the question needs
A clearly agreed partial assessment, provided it can demonstrably support the relevant decision.
WHERE THE PCF HELPS
He doesn't answer every question. But some very important ones.
A PCF becomes particularly valuable when it is clear which decision or requirement it is intended to support.
01
Customers need a product-related figure
You can provide CO₂e information including the reference unit, system boundary, data status, and methodology.
02
Development is testing materials and variants
Result shares become visible. Methodologically comparable variants can be investigated in a targeted manner.
03
Procurement wishes to use supplier data
Existing data will be merged. At the same time, you can see where primary data is still missing.
04
Many products require a common process
A structure for product families, updates and recurring requests can emerge from the first PCF.
FIRST THE QUESTION. THEN THE MODEL. THEN THE NUMBER.
You know your product. We turn it into a comprehensible calculation framework.
The specific scope depends on the product, desired system boundary, data situation, and subsequent use. We will make the individual decisions together.
01
Clarify intended use
Which question should the PCF answer – and who will use the result later?
02
Define product and reference unit
We clearly describe what the calculated figure stands for.
03
Determine system boundary
We determine which lifecycle phases are taken into account.
04
Collect and evaluate data
Materials, energy, processes and transports are brought together in a structured manner.
05
Calculate emissions
Activity data are linked with suitable emission factors and documented.
06
Deliver result comprehensibly
We explain profit shares, data quality, limitations and possible next steps.
WHEN SUPPLIER DATA IS MISSING
An incomplete dataset is no reason to be left in the dark.
Missing primary data is normal for an initial PCF.
We assess which information is already available, which data will actually be relevant, and where suitable secondary data can be used. Assumptions and approximations are not hidden, but are documented in a comprehensible manner.
An assumption is not the problem. An invisible assumption is.
WHAT YOU WILL HAVE IN THE END
Not just a value. But the context behind it.
The exact scope of delivery will be agreed before the start of the project. Typically, you will receive a combination of the deliverable, documentation, and a clear explanation.
01
CO₂e result
One result per defined product unit and within the agreed system boundary.
02
Result structure
Breakdown by life cycle phases, materials, processes or other relevant areas.
03
Methodological basis
Documentation of data sources, emission factors, assumptions, exclusions, and gaps.
04
Feedback meeting
Joint explanation of the figure, its main components and its limits.
05
Basis for updates
A starting point for better primary data, subsequent years and further products.
06
Preparation for recipient
Upon request, we can structure the information for specific inquiries or objective product information.
WHAT A PCF SAYS – AND WHAT IT DOES NOT
A CO₂e figure is a piece of information. Not an overall green verdict.
A PCF considers the climate change impact category within a defined scope. This does not automatically provide a statement about the overall environmental performance of a product.
THE PCF SHOWS
IT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY PROVE
Emissions within the agreed accounting boundary
that the product is "climate-friendly"
one result per defined unit
the overall environmental impact
Data, factors and assumptions
an independent verification
relevant profit shares
that has already been reduced
Differences with comparable methodology
general superiority over competitors
IN BRIEF
STANDARDS PROVIDE STRUCTURE
Calculate traceably. Consider usage separately.
Depending on the task, the calculation can be structured in accordance with the requirements of ISO 14067 or the GHG Protocol Product Standard. The appropriate framework is determined before starting. A calculation according to a standard is not automatically independently verified.
01
Product and reference unit
02
System boundary and life cycle stages
03
Data sources and emission factors
04
Assumptions, allocations and data gaps
05
Documentation, data status and version
DIGITAL PRODUCT PASSPORT
A potential data basis – not automatically the entire passport.
Which information will be required for a Digital Product Passport depends on the respective product-specific requirements. A well-documented PCF can provide important data for this.
CONSULTING OR SOFTWARE?
A product needs expertise. Many products additionally need a process.
Together, we will clarify which path suits your products, your data situation, and your upcoming requests.
CLASSIC PCF
Together towards the first reliable product footprint
Suitable for individual products, complex questions, or the initial methodological setup with personal guidance.
ECOZOOM SOFTWARE
Structurally organising recurring PCFs internally
Suitable for product families, variants, regular updates, and a dedicated data process.
COMBINED PATH
Start with a functional focus, then continue to work scalably
We develop the foundation together. Further products or updates can then follow via ecozoom.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The questions before the first product number.
You do not need to have a perfect bill of materials or all supplier data with you to have the initial conversation.
Which data do we need for a PCF?
That depends on the product and system boundary. We frequently look at material quantities, energy, process data, waste, packaging, and transport. For use and end-of-life, further information may be required.
What happens if suppliers do not provide CO₂e data?
We then check which activity data is available and which suitable secondary data can be used. The resulting assumptions and uncertainties are documented.
Which system boundary is sensible for us?
This depends on your question. For an intermediate product, cradle-to-gate may be appropriate; for a final product, a study including use and end-of-life may be required. We will clarify this before data collection.
Can we compare two products with each other?
Only if, among other things, the function, reference unit, system boundary, data quality, and methodological rules are indeed comparable. For public comparative assertions, additional product rules and verifications may be necessary.
Is a PCF sufficient for climate claims on the product?
A PCF can provide a factual data basis. Whether a specific statement is permissible and supported by the data must be verified separately based on its wording, context, and overall impression.
Is the PCF automatically verified or certified?
No. Calculation and independent verification are different steps. If an external audit is required, this should already be taken into account in the system boundary, data requirements and documentation.
How often should a PCF be updated?
This depends on the intended use and changes to the product. New materials, suppliers, production processes or energy sources can make an update advisable.
How much does it cost to create a PCF?
The effort involved depends on product complexity, system boundaries, the data situation, and the desired documentation. After a brief discussion, we can determine the appropriate scope and provide a concrete proposal.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK
You do not yet need to know where your product's life cycle begins and ends.
Tell us which product you are looking at and which question you would like to answer. Together, we will clarify which accounting framework makes sense, which data is already available, and which approach is right for your company.