Product Category Rules (PCR) are the product-specific rule sets that govern the creation of comparable Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
They bridge the gap between the general principles of ISO 14040/14044 (LCA) and the specific requirements of ISO 14025 (Type III Declarations).
Managed by a Program Operator, PCRs are developed through a consensus process involving industry and experts. They standardize critical methodological elements for a product category, defining the Functional Unit, System Boundary (e.g., Cradle-to-Gate), and the mandatory Environmental Impact Indicators to be reported.
The purpose is to ensure the consistency of EPD data for sustainable procurement.