Environmental Footprint – EF, PEF & OEF

The environmental footprint of a product or organisation measures a wide range of life cycle environmental impacts using standardised and reliable methods. 

What Does Environmental Footprint Mean? 

An environmental footprint describes the total environmental impact of a product or organisation across its entire life cycle. It is calculated using the Environmental Footprint (EF) method. 

This method provides harmonised rules for assessing the environmental impacts of products (Product Environmental Footprint, PEF) and organisations (Organisation Environmental Footprint, OEF) from raw material extraction to the end of the product’s life. 

The assessment is based on life cycle assessment (LCA) and includes various environmental impact categories. These include climate change, ozone depletion, human toxicity, particulate matter, ionising radiation, photochemical ozone formation, acidification, eutrophication, ecotoxicity, land use, water use, and resource use. 

You can read more about life cycle assessment here. 

Which Products’ or Organisations’ Footprint Can Be Assessed? 

Environmental footprint assessment can be applied to all types of products and organisations. To improve comparability, sector-specific rules have been developed: Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCRs) for products and Organisation Environmental Footprint Sector Rules (OEFSRs) for organisations. 

Why Calculate the Environmental Footprint of a Product (PEF) or Organisation (OEF)? 

The EF methods, developed by the European Commission in 2013 and updated in 2021, provide a reliable framework for measuring environmental performance. Standardised assessment improves transparency, offers access to trustworthy environmental data, supports decision-making, and promotes sustainable development. 

• Reliability: Access transparent, verifiable, and credible environmental data for product development and communication. 

• Compliance: Meet reporting requirements and market expectations. 

• Competitive Advantage: Stand out with more sustainable products. 

• Efficiency: Identify opportunities to optimise the supply chain and reduce costs. 

• Insight: Understand the key environmental hotspots across the life cycle and apply the findings in ecodesign and strategy. 

• Impact and Risk Reduction: Reduce adverse effects and risks related to your operations. 

Ecobio’s Environmental Footprint Services 

Assessment and Planning 

We identify your calculation needs and determine the appropriate sector-specific rules for your products or organisation. 

Calculation and Reporting 

We carry out the footprint calculation and prepare a report that includes: 

• A comprehensive overview of the environmental footprint of your product (or product group) or organisation 

• The underlying factors contributing to the results 

• Recommendations for improvements in product development or business models 

Verification 

We offer third-party verification of the environmental footprint assessment and report. This ensures that the results meet the applicable standards and can be used with confidence. 

Ecobio has extensive experience in life cycle assessments (LCA) for a wide range of products, services, and operations. Our experts are ready to support you.