Overview
EN ISO 22526-3:2021 addresses the quantification and reporting of the process carbon footprint (P-CFP) for biobased plastics. Developed by CEN and based on ISO 22526-1, ISO 14067, ISO 14040, and ISO 14044, this standard establishes clear requirements and guidelines to ensure transparency, credibility, and comparability when assessing the carbon footprint arising from the cradle-to-gate processes within a bioplastic product’s life cycle.
The standard applies to any process carbon footprint studies for plastic materials, independent of the intended disclosure. It is especially relevant for organizations seeking consistent carbon footprint calculations for partial product life cycles. Notably, it does not cover offsetting, focusing solely on emissions and removals directly linked to the processes in scope.
Key Topics
- Scope and terminology
- Defines process carbon footprint as the sum of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals within cradle-to-gate stages for a biobased plastic product.
- Specifies relevant terms and abbreviations for accurate communication.
- Principles of quantification
- Emphasizes life cycle perspective, relevance, completeness, consistency, coherence, accuracy, and transparency.
- Requires careful boundary-setting (cradle to gate) and justification of methodological choices.
- Methodological framework
- Outlines a four-phase process: definition of goal and scope, life cycle inventory analysis (LCI), life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), and interpretation.
- Requires grouping unit processes by life cycle stage (raw material acquisition, production, distribution).
- Calls for the use of established characterization factors (e.g., 100-year GWP per IPCC guidance).
- Reporting requirements
- Specifies information that must be documented, including: declared unit, system boundary, GHG types and sources, data quality, sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, allocation methods, and limitations.
- Encourages graphical results and comparative studies where appropriate.
- Critical review
- Recommends a critical review process to enhance credibility and trust in reported P-CFP studies, in alignment with ISO/TS 14071.
Applications
Properly implementing EN ISO 22526-3:2021 has practical value for:
- Manufacturers of biobased plastics
- Gain robust tools to quantify and report partial carbon footprints, supporting internal decision-making or meeting external reporting requirements.
- Product developing and R&D teams
- Use results to inform product design, process improvement, technology selection, and material sourcing with the goal of minimizing environmental impact.
- Stakeholders across the bioplastics supply chain
- Facilitate more transparent communication regarding process carbon footprints, building trust among customers, partners, and regulators.
- Environmental claims and communication
- Support credible sustainability claims, eco-labeling, and compliance with environmental disclosures, in conjunction with standards like ISO 14026 and ISO/TS 14027.
Related Standards
For comprehensive assessment and seamless integration, reference these closely related international standards:
- ISO 22526-1: Plastics - Carbon and environmental footprint of biobased plastics - Principles, requirements and guidelines
- ISO 14067: Greenhouse gases - Carbon footprint of products - Requirements and guidelines for quantification
- ISO 14040: Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Principles and framework
- ISO 14044: Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Requirements and guidelines
- ISO 14026: Environmental labels and declarations - Principles and requirements for communication of footprint
- ISO/TS 14027: Environmental labels and declarations - Development of product category rules
- ISO/TS 14071: Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Critical review processes and reviewer competencies
Conclusion
By following EN ISO 22526-3:2021, organizations can ensure high-quality, transparent, and credible quantification of the process carbon footprint for biobased plastics. The standard supports informed environmental decision-making, responsible production, and effective communication throughout the plastics supply chain, contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance sustainable plastics manufacturing.
