Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)

Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) is an initiative from the European Commission to strengthen the production and sale of 'green' products within the EU. At the European market, there has been a lack of a common set of rules for the certification of 'green' products. This has not only made it difficult for consumers to understand the many different national and international environmental brands, but also difficult and expensive for companies that wish to enter the market with certified 'green' products.

PEF is going to make it easier for everyone by introducing a common certification.

pef is not (yet) mandatory

PEF is referred to as the overall requirements for calculating the environmental footprint of products within a certain product category. If everyone applies the same methods to the same processes when assessing the environmental impact of products, it will be possible to compare the environmental footprint of products across the entire product category.

A PEF methodology is being prepared and is expected to be introduced at the end of 2024.

For some product groups, detailed calculation rules, so-called PEFCR (Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules), have already been prepared. If there are no specific category rules for a certain product, the environmental footprint is determined by using the general requirements of the EU PEF.

The PEF has thus been prepared with the aim of playing a central role in EU legislation (e.g. the Green Deal, SPI, CEAP, sustainable food procurement, claims, etc.). The Danish Environmental Protection Agency also recommends the use of PEF.

What can you use pef for? 

• You can increase the credibility of the product with a common third-party certification
• You can strengthen your competitive position and better compare your position with competitors
• You can develop products in a 'greener direction' and innovate the market
• You can use PEF as a basis of your company's green marketing and avoid greenwashing