Emitwise runs rigorous checks on the Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) we receive to ensure you can use and compare them effectively
Here is the list of checks our system and carbon accounting experts run on the product carbon footprints we receive.
Precalculated PCFs
- PCF product name provided in upload schema is correct and human-readable
- Uses cradle-to-gate EF
- Time boundary < 5 years OR stated validity period is still in date
- Declared unit properly defined and matching submitted data or clearly transposed (e.g., kgCO2e/tonnes to kgCO2e/kg)
- PCF data submitted matches Methodology report
- Methodology report is a valid PCF/LCA/EPD methodology report
- Methodology report contains sufficient detail for complete review
- Transparent documentation of EF data sources and methods
- If 3rd party audited, verification certificate is valid
- Calculated per recognized standards. One of: ISO 14067, ISO14044, GHG Protocol
- EPD emissions accounting aligned with GHGP for biogenic CO2
- IPCC GWP method clearly identifiable and is one of (AR4, AR5, AR6)
- Allocation methods discernible if required in PCF calculation
- Cut-off classification system boundary followed (also known as the recycled content method and 100:0 method)
PCFs calculated with Emitwise
- Check and verify product category that has been assigned to the PCF
- Check the Bill of Materials (BOM) does not contain the main product or is excluded with multi-levels
- Check the BOM nodes are products purchased from suppliers
- Check the BOM does not contain utilities data
- If user is a reseller or distributor, check that data is for the manufactured product and not activity data for downstream of the factory gate
- Check that the BOM descriptions are sufficient to allow detailed product and emission factor classifications
- Check no incorrect units have been submitted in the BOM quantity_unit column
- Check the conversions submitted in the BOM kg_per_unit column
- Check the sum of the mass of all the BOM items and by-products is within 0.95% and 110% of the total product mass declared
- Check the inputted manufacturing data is within -200% and +200% of the industry average manufacturing data for this product
- Check no incorrect units have been used for manufacturing data
- Check production and economic data is within expected industry benchmark bounds
PCF scoring
All Product Carbon Footprint intensities (kgCO2e/unit) are then scored from 1 - 5 against the same 5 properties as all Emission Factors in our database:
- Temporal representativeness: How well does the data and selected emission factors represent the actual reporting period declared by the PCF creator?
- Geographical representativeness: How well does the data and selected emission factors match the actual production location?
- Technology representativeness: How well does the data and selected emission factors match the actual production technology?
- Completeness: Does the data and selected emission factors cover all relevant processes and follow the appropriate calculation methodology?
- Reliability: Is the calculation methodology sufficient, transparent and aligned with Emitwise PCF method requirements?