Reforming Product Environmental Footprint governance
ECOS has been following the development of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method since 2018. We are part of the EF-subgroup of the Sustainable Consumption and Production expert group and a non-voting member of the technical secretariat tasked to draft the PEFCR for apparel and footwear. We also joined the Technical Advisory Board in 2022. Based on our experience working with standardisation committees, expert groups, and PEF working groups, this paper presents some recommendations for improving the process.
Summary of recommendations
The PEF is about to become a key policy instrument in assessing products’ lifecycle impacts. It is paramount that its governance is improved, for it to deliver on its goals. ECOS calls for:
• EC leadership and direct involvement, to ensure the method’s legitimacy and relevance to policy needs.
• Binding and common rules of procedure, to ensure the effectiveness of the process and the quality across PEFCRs.
• More transparency, to improve legitimacy and acceptance of the method, as well as effective participation of involved parties.
• Effective inclusivity, in terms of access, voting rights and funding, for PEF to fit the needs of all and not only a few industrial actors.
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