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The Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) and FloriPEFCR 

Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) is a framework designed to help companies analyze the environmental impacts of their products throughout their entire lifecycle. By doing so, companies can develop strategies to minimize their impact on the environment, and in turn, achieve a more sustainable business model. In this article, we will dive deeper into what PEFCR is and explore the recent developments in FloriPEFCR. 

What is PEFCR? 

PEFCR is a tool created to provide a harmonized method of measuring and reporting the environmental performance of products. It is based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach and considers 16 impact categories, encompassing the whole life cycle of the product. The idea is to give clear instructions which can serve as guidance to calculate footprint and become more sustainable. Single toolbox and common rules can assure comparability and prevent greenwashing. The need for such tool arose from the higher reporting standards like CSRD requiring large businesses to provide accurate, credible and accessible information on sustainability issues. One way to simplify this process of reporting is to harmonize the calculation rules for the industry. 

PEFCR can be used by any company or organization to assess the environmental footprint of their products, from raw material extraction to disposal. By doing so, companies can identify areas of improvement in their production processes and implement strategies to reduce their environmental impact. 

What are the FloriPEFCR developments? 

FloriPEFCR was developed by a group of stakeholders from the floriculture industry, including growers, traders, and retailers, in collaboration with the European Commission. The development process involved a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impact of flowers and ornamental plants, as well as the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure their impact. The year 2023 is of the utmost importance for this framework as this is the period planned for the official launch of the program and its approval by the European Comission. 

Why is FloriPEFCR important? 

The floriculture industry is a significant contributor to the global economy, which had an estimated market value of $ 5.7 billion in 2021 in the Netherlands. However, the production and distribution of flowers and ornamental plants can have a significant environmental impact, including the use of pesticides and fertilizers, energy consumption, and waste generation.  

FloriPEFCR provides a standardized approach for measuring and reporting the environmental impact of flowers and ornamental plants, which can help to promote more sustainable practices within the industry. By using FloriPEFCR, companies can identify areas of improvement in their production processes and implement strategies to reduce their environmental impact. This can help to minimize the negative effects of the floriculture industry on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable future. 

In summary

PEFCR is a valuable tool for companies to assess the environmental footprint of their products, and FloriPEFCR is a specific application of PEFCR that focuses on the environmental impact of flowers and ornamental plants. The development of FloriPEFCR is an important step towards promoting more sustainable practices within the floriculture industry, and it provides a standardized approach for measuring and reporting the environmental impact of these products. By using FloriPEFCR, companies can identify areas of improvement in their production processes and work towards a more sustainable future. 

 

Find out more: Europe.eu

 

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