ISO 14067 Certification - Carbon footprint of products

What is a product’s carbon footprint?

A product’s carbon footprint is the total sum of greenhouse gas emissions and removals associated with that product, expressed in CO₂ equivalent. It is calculated on the basis of a life-cycle assessment of the product, taking into account a single category of impact: climate change. In short, the carbon footprint shows how much a product contributes to the greenhouse effect, from the sourcing of raw materials right through to the end of its life cycle.

What is a carbon footprint?

The carbon footprint is a quantitative measure of a product’s climate impact, expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ equivalent). As there are several greenhouse gases (methane, nitrous oxide and others), each with a different global warming potential, they are all converted into a common unit – CO₂ equivalent – so that they can be totalled and reported as a single figure.

How to calculate a product’s carbon footprint

The carbon footprint of a product is calculated on the basis of a life cycle assessment (LCA), in accordance with the principles set out in the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. All relevant stages are taken into account: the extraction and sources of raw materials, production, transport, use and end-of-life treatment. Unlike a simple carbon footprint calculator, which provides a quick and approximate estimate, a rigorous calculation in accordance with ISO 14067 requires actual data, collected at each stage, and a consistent methodology. This is precisely why the result of such a calculation needs to be independently verified in order to be credible.

What is the ISO 14067 standard?

ISO 14067:2018 – ‘Greenhouse gases. Carbon footprint of products. Requirements and guidance for quantification’ – is the international standard that defines the principles, requirements and recommendations for quantifying the carbon footprint of products. The ISO 14067 standard ensures a consistent and transparent approach, so that the carbon footprint calculated by an organisation is consistent, comparable and credible.

ISO 14067 and life cycle assessment (LCA)

ISO 14067 is based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology defined in ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, but restricts it to a single impact category: climate change. This means that the product’s carbon footprint analyses only greenhouse gas emissions and removals, and not other environmental aspects. The life-cycle approach enables the identification of stages with a high environmental impact and the optimisation of the product’s design, procurement, production or recycling.

ISO 14067 or ISO 14064 – what’s the difference?

Although both standards relate to greenhouse gases, they apply at different levels. ISO 14064 covers emissions at the organisational or project level (the company’s emissions inventory), whilst ISO 14067 focuses on the carbon footprint of a specific product throughout its entire life cycle. It should be noted that theverificationof  level of greenhouse gas gemissions with greenhouse effect at the organisation’s level as quantified in accordance with ISO 14064, as well as and the verification of a13> in accordance with ISO 14064, whilst the verification of the product’s carbon footprint is carried out in accordance with the requirements of ISO 14064-3, the standard dedicated to the validation and verification of greenhouse gas claims. Thus, the two standards complement one another.

Carbon footprint verification in accordance with ISO 14067

Quantifying a carbon footprint can be a complex and error-prone process. Independent verification of a carbon footprint is essential, as organisations are increasingly assessed on the basis of their commitment to sustainability. A verified statement provides credibility, consistency and accuracy, and enables the results to be communicated accurately to customers, partners and authorities.

The stages of carbon footprint verification

1. Commencement of the engagement – analysing the information provided by the organisation; determining the objectives, scope, boundaries, criteria and level of assurance; and appointing the head of the audit team.
2. Planning – selecting the audit team, liaising with the organisation, carrying out strategic and risk analysis, and drawing up the audit plan.
3. Verification – the assessment of the study on the product’s carbon footprint against the requirements, as well as the analysis of the information and sample data on which the calculation was based.
4. Issuing the verification statement – preparing the report and the verification statement, carrying out an independent review of these documents, and issuing the statement based on the findings of the verification.

The cost of ISO 14067 verification

The cost of assessing a product’s carbon footprint depends on the complexity of the product and its life cycle, the quality and availability of data, and the level of assurance required. To find out the exact cost, the best option is to request a bespoke quote.

Why SRAC

SRAC is a verification body with extensive experience in the field of greenhouse gases, having provided verification and validation services since the inception of the European Union’s emissions trading scheme. SRAC is accredited by RENAR (certificate OV 006)  in accordance with ISO 17029 and ISO 14065 for the verification and validation of the quantification, monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions (EU-ETS), and the verification process complies with the ISO 14064-3 standard and high competence requirements. By choosing SRAC, you can be sure that your product’s carbon footprint declaration is credible, consistent and accurate, reducing the risk of error and strengthening stakeholder confidence.

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The benefits of carbon footprint assessment

Carbon footprint verification in accordance with ISO 14067 offers tangible benefits:

• greater integrity of data on the carbon footprint of products, through compliance with recognised standards;
• credibility, consistency and transparency in quantification, monitoring and reporting;
• a solid foundation for the development of GHG emissions monitoring systems;
• support for emission reduction and decarbonisation strategies;
• the ability to evaluate alternative options for the design, procurement, manufacture and recycling of products;
• strengthening the organisation’s position in a market that is increasingly concerned about climate change.

Who is ISO 14067 intended for?

Carbon footprint verification in accordance with ISO 14067 is aimed at any organisation wishing to quantify and credibly communicate the climate impact of its products. It is particularly relevant for manufacturers seeking to meet the requirements of customers, retailers or sustainability regulations, as well as for companies developing decarbonisation strategies or seeking to differentiate themselves through products with a low carbon footprint.