Product Category Rules

c-PCRs are a collection of specific rules, requirements and guidelines for drawing up Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for one or more product categories. They are used to supplement the programme instructions, for example calculation rules, scenarios and EPD content. c-PCRs help LCA practitioners generate consistent results in the assessment of products of the same product category. ISO 14025:2010 describes the procedure for developing and testing c-PCRs and sets requirements for the comparability of different EPDs.

Internationally and nationally, there are many c-PCR (type) documents, with a variety of publishers/controllers. In view of the importance, the use of PCRs from the Assessment Method has been made compulsory. However, the Assessment Method does not include a provision relating to the c-PCR documents, merely a reference to this page.

  Criteria for application

For compiling and managing a c-PCR, Stichting NMD has developed a Protocol. This protocol guides an initiator and gives clarity about the criteria for declaring c-PCRs applicable. With this protocol, consistency within and between the different material and product groups is safeguarded when c-PCRs are compiled.

Go to Drawing up the Protocol and managing c-PCRs

To assess a c-PCR on the criteria for application, the protocol includes 3 important components:

1.    Process & procedural test
2.    Substantive test
3.    Impact analysis

Process & procedural test

A checklist to help the PCR practitioners develop a c-PCR in the system. This checklist is structured as follows:
•    Application form during the initiation phase 
•    Procedural test during the compiling and submitting phase

Go to the application form that needs to be completed by the initiator of the c-PCR

Substantive test

The substantive test consists of three different components. It is assessed whether the PCR fulfils: 

1. Assessment Method / EN15804
2. Normative c-PCRs: Relevant product-specific European c-PCRs
3. General aspects

This substantive test is passed when:

• All the components of the substantive test are met.
• The general aspects are recorded in the c-PCR.
• Principles under data quality are transparently and verifiably recorded.
• After the tester has given their approval, the c-PCR is marked verified by means of the verifier’s signature.

Normative c-PCRs

In terms of content, it must be assessed whether the c-PCR meets the European Normative c-PCRs. This distinguishes between two types, with only the first type of c-PCRs requiring assessment:

1. PCRs in the form of an established normative document. These are PCR documents which have been assessed by CEN/TC 350/WG 3 on consistency in relation to EN 15804 and which have been published as a European standard.

2. PCRs in the form of final concepts to produce a normative document. These are draft standards which have been submitted for formal vote (FprEN) but which have not yet been formally accepted.

   For window frames, the NEN-EN 17213:2020 are explicitly stipulated.

PCRs which fulfil substantive criterion 1 which must be followed:

Download here the list with the normative PCRs which must be followed (version April 2023):

This list gives in green the PCRs which fulfil criterion 1 and which must be followed when compiling an LCA according to the Assessment Method. Initiatives for standard development within CEN/TC 350/WG 3 are also included in the list (in red), but only for information purposes. These do not need to be followed when compiling an LCA according to the Assessment Method.

PCRs which fulfil substantive criterion 2 which must be followed:

1) NL-PCR Asphalt V2.0.

The NL-PCR is managed by the Permanent Sustainability Committee (PCD) of the Bituminous Works Department (VBW). Contact the secretariat of the VBW (vbw@bouwendnederland.nl) for questions and/or comments. The intention of all parties is to update these calculation rules annually based on the current situation. For more information, visit the PCR Asphalt 2.0 page

Download the NL-PCR asphalt V2.0 here

Download appendix E module D calculation sheet for PCR 2.0 in Excel

2) NL-PCR Cement V1.0

The NL-PCR for cement and raw materials for cement production V1.0 (in short: NL-PCR Cement V1.0) was developed for Cement en Beton Centrum (C&BC). These specific calculation rules supplement the generic calculation rules prescribed by the Assessment Method Environmental Performance for Construction Works and must be used when compiling LCAs for cement, ground granulated blast furnace slag and fly ash. Questions and comments about this NL-PCR can be sent to:info@betonhuis.nl. For more information visit the NL-PCR Cement V1.0 page.

Go to overview for LCA practitioners

Impact analysis

The intended result of an impact analysis, which is delivered in the form of a report, including at least the following descriptions:

• The principles of the calculation method based on the points which change in the c-PCR.
• Graphs with analysis of the differences in impact and interpretation in text, using the environmental profiles category 1, 2 & 3.
  • The impact on the (weighted) environmental scores. 
  • The impact on indicators of sustainability goals. 
    • CO2
    • Energy transition
    • Material use
• Analysis of the feasibility of applying the c-PCR.