European Commission approved the anticipated Product Environmental Footprint category rules for textiles and apparel Version 3.1 on May 14th 2025.
The European Commission has officially approved the final version of the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for apparel and footwear version 3.1. This signifies the standardization of rules for measuring and communicating the environmental impact of these products. The PEFCRs are designed to be voluntary for companies to use, but are seen as a crucial step towards harmonizing sustainability metrics and achieving environmental goals within the textile and apparel industry.
The Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) are a set of standardized rules created to guide companies in assessing and communicating the environmental impact of their products throughout their entire life cycle.
Key Requirements in PEFCR 3.1:
Product Scope:
13 specific product categories within apparel and footwear each have tailored rules for environmental impact assessment.
New Metrics:
Focus on circular design principles incorporating metrics for recycled content, durability, and repairability.
Circular Footprint Formula (CFF):
The end-of-life impact and recycled content calculation
Fiber Fragment Impact:
The environmental impact of fiber fragmentation (e.g., microplastics) during product use
Data Requirements:
Stricter requirements for providing primary data
Proxy Data Guidance:
Clearer rules for using secondary data (proxies) when primary data is unavailable
Comparison Limitations:
Restrictions on product comparisons to prevent misleading or unfair comparisons.
No Single Score for B2C:
The PEF single score cannot be used for business-to-consumer communications; instead, brands must communicate at least the 16 impact categories and the four most relevant indicators.
Alignment with EU Regulations:
The PEFCR 3.1 is designed to help companies comply with the upcoming EU Green Claims Directive and Eco-design Rules
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