Aligning Guidance for PCR Development : Options for Moving F orward

1. Aligning Guidance for PCR Development: Options for Moving Forward Rita Schenck American Center for Life Cycle Assessment Institute for Environmental Research and Education Second PCR Roundtable April 2011

2. American Center for Life Cycle Assessment www.lcacenter.org • Professional society for LCA in the USA • Annual Conference, Next in Chicago October 3 – 5, 2011 • Certification for LCA Professionals • National PCR Repository • Several Committees to carry out the work • A Program of the Institute for Environmental Research and Education (an NGO)

3. ACLCA Product Category Rule Committee • Amit Kapur, Greenseal • Connie Hensler, Interface • Corinne Reich-Weisner, Climate Earth Inc. • Alexandra Deger, HP • Di Lu, Becton-Dickenson • Getachew Assefa, U. Calgary • Joep Meijer, The Right Environment • Lindita Bushi, Athena Institute • Neil Huizenga, Microsoft • Paul Firth, UL Environment • Richard Gelb, King County • Rita Schenck, ACLCA • Ron Kelley, GreenGap Solutions • Tom Gloria, Industrial Ecology Associates • Vee Subramanian, Arizona State U. • Wes Ingwerson, U.S. EPA

4. Focus on Outcomes • PCRs developed to cover entire world economy • Acceptance of EPDs globally regardless of source of origin • EPDs for all goods and services traded nationally internationally

5. Scope of the Global PCR Issues • Many PCRs needed • Over 40,000 UNSPSC Codes • Less than 500 PCRs written so far • Ideally, only one PCR per product, but already there are duplicates in existence • Political and legal issues in different jurisdictions • Cultural values differ (so different impact categories have different values, and endpoint indicators are problematic)

6. PCR Activities Underway in ACLCA • Comparison of PCRs for similar products developed in different countries • Development of format for the comparison of PCRs • Comparison/compilation of management systems for different EPD systems • Development of Draft Guidance for PCR Development • Trial to adapt existing PCRs for American situation

7. Compilation of Management Systems for Program Operators • Need: to understand how different programs work, so as to facilitate sharing of PCRs • Work so far • Comparison of Environdec, French BPX 30-323, JemaiEcoleaf, IERE Earthsure • Observations so far • Substantial similarities among the systems • French System very different- a standard rather than a management system (more like PAS-2050?) • Need more programs for analysis: seeking more information for IBU and Norwegian systems

8. Guidance for Developing PCRs • Needed to facilitate development of PCRs that can be shared globally (with or without adaptation) • First effort as a draft standard, under consideration by ASTM-International • Auditable management system standard • http://lcacenter.org/Data/Sites/1/SharedFiles/committeedocuments/finaldraftstandardpracticeforpcrprogramoperators.pdf • Need to have a global consensus • Perhaps ISO? • May take a long time • In the meantime bilateral and multi-lateral agreements (e.g. ACLCA-ALCALA agreement) can serve the need.

9. Pilot for Adaptation of Existing PCRs • Using the French PCR for shoes as basis • Partnering with U.S. Shoe Companies (Timberland and Sole Technology) and with ALCALA and JEMAI • Plan moving forward • Use the PCR comparison matrix to evaluate the PCR • Not just a translation or cut and paste • Will seek adaptation for the US and for Latin America and Japan • Inviting other companies and other countries to participate • Perhaps other PCRs

10. Conclusions • It is still early times • There is a lot of work to be done , but a good start is underway • We can learn and are learning from each other– flying together can help us achieve our goals Archaeopteryx

11. Thank you for you attention We invite your collaboration contact information rita@iere.org 206-463-7430 lcacenter.org