PCF SOFTWARE
A PCF is feasible.
Many need a system.
ecozoom translates product data, processes, and system boundaries into a calculation logic that can be reused, updated, and documented.
WHEN ONE ENQUIRY BECOMES MANY
The first PCF is rarely the actual problem.
A customer wants a CO₂e value. Purchasing is asking for the basis of the calculation. The next tender demands a different reference value. And shortly afterwards, the same calculation is expected to work for other products or variants.
A single Product Carbon Footprint can be calculated. It becomes laborious, however, when product data, assumptions and calculation methods have to be gathered from scratch for every query.
That is why ecozoom does not start with the finished value, but with a structure you can continue to work with.
01
Sort data
Structure and record product and process data.
02
Set frame
Clearly define system boundaries and reference values.
03
Keep basics
Document sources, assumptions and data gaps.
04
Continue calculating
Update calculations and use them again.
Product Carbon Footprint
A value for a product. With a clearly defined scope.
PCF
A Product Carbon Footprint describes the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product, variant or process. The result is declared in CO₂ equivalents and always refers to a defined functional unit and system boundary.
Which life cycle phases are included depends on the use case. The decisive factor is to clearly document what is included – and what is not.
A PCF is a calculated product information.
It is not a certification and does not state whether a product is sustainable, climate-friendly or better than another.
FROM PRODUCT TO CALCULATION PROCESS
Do not reinvent every product. Just map them cleanly.
ecozoom consolidates the information actually required for your PCF calculation. Which data this is and how it is linked together is defined for the respective use case.
01
Set product
Select the product, variant, article or reference part and define the functional unit.
02
Determine framework
Define the system boundary, reference period and included life cycle stages.
03
Collect data
Store materials, purchased parts, processes, energy, packaging and transport.
04
Documenting fundamentals
Record data sources, factors, assumptions, allocations, exclusions, and data gaps.
05
Calculate PCF
Link activity data and calculation logic; display results per functional unit.
06
Continue working
Save, copy and update calculations with new data.
YOUR PRODUCTS. YOUR PROCESSES.
What matters depends on the product.
A PCF for a beverage requires different data than a PCF for a component or a print job. The data structure therefore follows the product and the defined system boundary.
01
Product and Material
Product, item or variant · Quantity and functional unit · Materials and material variants · Purchased parts and pre-products · Primary and secondary data
02
Production and processing
Process steps and machines · Machine or process groups · Energy and consumption data · Quantities, times and allocations · Internal and external manufacturing
03
Packaging and transport
Packaging materials and quantities · Delivery routes and transport types · Transport distances · Delivery scenarios if required
04
Methodological details
System boundary and reference period · Data sources and emission factors · Assumptions and allocations · Data gaps and exclusions · Data status and version
NOT EVERY PCF STARTS THE SAME
Standard, customised or individual.
Some products can be well represented with prepared logic. Others require additional fields, custom processes or a completely bespoke structure. Together, we will clarify which path is the right fit.
Prepared calculation logic
For recurring use cases with a clear data model. The required information is pre-structured and can be entered directly into ecozoom.
Fits if:
products are structured similarly and can be calculated using the same logic.
Customised calculation logic
An existing structure is supplemented by your materials, processes, input fields or output parameters.
Fits if:
the calculation method is established, but sector-specific or operational particularities must be taken into account.
Custom PCF solution
The calculation logic is built from your real product and process data – for example, with material variants, purchased parts, machinery, process steps, packaging and transport routes.
Fits if:
Standard structures do not adequately map the production process or when many similar products need to be calculated.
Which solution suits your products?
THE VALUE STANDS. SO DOES ITS FOUNDATION.
Traceability begins before the calculation.
A PCF is only as understandable as the information behind it. Therefore, ecozoom records not only the result, but also the framework of the calculation.
01
Functional unit and product relation
02
System boundary and life cycle stages
03
Reference period, data status and version
04
Data sources and emission factors
05
Assumptions, allocations and data gaps
06
Exclusions and methodological limitations
Which methodological basis is applied depends on the product, the intended use and the agreed calculation model. Alignment with the GHG Protocol Product Life Cycle Standard or the principles of ISO 14067 can be part of the methodology and is documented in the respective model.
The calculation in ecozoom does not replace an independent verification. Even a documented calculation is not automatically certified or verified.
WHAT REMAINS IN THE END
Not just a number. A documented PCF.
ecozoom provides the result in such a way that it can be used internally and explained to third parties.
01
CO₂e result
Per defined functional unit, with reference to product, data status, and version.
02
Lifecycle phases
Distribution of the result within the defined system boundary.
03
Emission sources
Representation of the data items with the largest share of the CO₂e profile.
04
Basis of calculation
System boundary, time period, sources, assumptions, exclusions and methodological notes.
WHEN CO₂e DATA IS SHARED
Show the number. Make the basis accessible.
Customers, business partners or auditors often need more than a single value. Optionally, the information can therefore be prepared in a CO₂e info pack.
Key factsheet
Compact presentation with reference to the product, functional unit, system boundary, result, data status and methodological details.
ID
Digital CO₂e profile
A unique tracking ID allows information to be provided online and updated when new data becomes available.
QR
Note with URL or QR code
A graphical note leads to the CO₂e profile and shows that information on the calculated value is available.
The CO₂e note is not a seal, a certification, an independent verification, or a statement about the environmental quality of the product.
Additional project support is documented separately. It does not alter the Product Carbon Footprint and is not offset against it.
IF MORE PRODUCTS FOLLOW THE FIRST ONE
Set up once. Continue calculating with new data.
∞
The real value of PCF software becomes apparent when variants are introduced, quantities change, or a customer requires an updated data status.
In ecozoom, existing structures and stored baselines can continue to be used. Reference products can serve as a starting point, product-related entries are updated and recurring standard parts are calculated according to a defined logic.
01
Manage products and variants in a structured way
02
Using recurring data and factors
03
Update quantities, materials and transport
04
Document new calculation statuses
This means the PCF does not become a one-off file, but rather a process that can be continued with your products.
SOFTWARE WITH PERSONAL SUPPORT
Your software doesn't know your products. We soon will.
Not every system limit, data gap or methodological question can be answered with a single click. That is why we do not simply hand over access and wish you the best of luck.
Our team helps to establish product and process structures, define the calculation framework, and translate real-world processes into usable inputs. This ensures that ecozoom works not only in the presentation, but also when the next request comes in.
01
Record products, processes, and data paths
02
Clarify functional unit and system boundary
03
Document assumptions, allocations and data gaps
04
Build calculation logic together
05
Supporting teams in adopting the application
PCF SOFTWARE FOR THE NEXT STEP
When product data does not stop at the first value.
ecozoom is suitable for companies that want to calculate product carbon footprints not just as a one-off, but organise them as a recurring task.
01
Manufacturers with multiple products, variants or locations
02
Suppliers with recurring customer enquiries
03
Companies with product data for supply chains or tenders
04
Businesses with their own production and process logic
05
Teams wishing to update and maintain calculations internally
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PCF software, briefly explained.
The most important questions regarding data, system boundaries and the classification of Product Carbon Footprints.
What is a PCF software?
PCF software supports companies in collecting product-related activity data, linking it with a defined calculation logic, and reporting the Product Carbon Footprint in CO₂e. In addition, system boundaries, data sources, assumptions, and calculation statuses can be documented.
Which data is required for a Product Carbon Footprint?
This depends on the product and the system boundary. Typical information includes materials and pre-products, quantities, manufacturing processes, energy consumption, packaging, and transport. In addition, there are the functional unit, reference period, sources, assumptions, and data gaps.
Does a PCF always have to represent the entire product life cycle?
No. The life cycle stages considered are determined by the system boundary. It is important that the chosen framework fits the purpose of the calculation and is clearly documented.
Can two Product Carbon Footprints be directly compared?
Not automatically. For a meaningful comparison, the functional unit, system boundary, method, data quality, reference period and assumptions, among other things, must be sufficiently comparable.
Is a PCF a certification for a climate-friendly product?
No. A PCF is calculated information regarding the associated greenhouse gas emissions within a defined scope. It is neither an environmental label nor is it automatically audited, certified, or verified.
Does supporting a climate project change the PCF?
No. Project support takes place outside the calculated value chain and does not change the Product Carbon Footprint. Calculated PCF and additional engagement are reported separately.
GETTING STARTED
Show us a product. We look at the process behind it.
What data is available? Which system boundary is required? And should a single PCF be created, or a solution for many products?
NOT THE PRODUCT, BUT THE COMPANY?