Overview
ISO/TS 14027:2017 - Environmental labels and declarations - Development of product category rules (PCR) - gives principles, requirements and guidance for creating, reviewing, registering and updating product category rules (PCR) used in Type III environmental declarations and footprint communications. It aligns PCR development with life cycle assessment (LCA) standards (ISO 14040, ISO 14044) and related standards (ISO 14025, ISO 14046, ISO/TS 14067), and explains how to integrate additional environmental information - LCA-based or not - in a coherent, scientifically sound way.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Purpose and scope: PCRs define consistent rules for LCA-based environmental communication across a product category to ensure transparency and comparability.
- Principles: Emphasis on LCA-based environmental information, stakeholder involvement, transparency and comparability of results.
- PCR development process:
- Formation and role of a PCR committee and the programme operator
- Tasks: drafting, open consultation, adaptation of existing PCRs
- Requirements for reporting, registration and identification (registration code)
- Content elements of a PCR:
- Definition of product category
- Specification of functional unit or declared unit
- Requirements for the underlying LCA or footprint studies
- Predetermined parameters and core rules to support comparability
- Use of information modules for life-cycle stages
- Review and registration: Independent review panel procedures, review statements and registry processes to ensure quality and credibility.
- Maintenance: Guidance on updating, revision and expiration of PCR documents.
Applications and who uses it
ISO/TS 14027:2017 is practical for:
- Programme operators (industry associations, public bodies, NGOs) establishing Type III ecolabel and footprint programmes.
- LCA practitioners and consultants preparing PCR-compliant EPDs or footprint declarations.
- Manufacturers and brand owners producing consistent, comparable environmental declarations for product lines.
- Policy makers and procurers who require standardized environmental information for procurement or regulation.
- Third-party reviewers assessing PCR quality and compliance.
Practical uses include creating sector-specific PCRs (e.g., building materials, electronics), harmonizing cross-region declarations, and enabling credible comparative assertions based on PCR-aligned LCA studies.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/TS 14027:2017, product category rules, PCR, Type III environmental declaration, life cycle assessment, LCA, environmental labels and declarations, footprint communication.