Transparency and sustainability with PCR EPDItaly041

The PCR EPDItaly041, developed specifically for filling, wrapping and packaging machinery, establishes standardized rules that ensure consistency in the assessment of life cycle and environmental impacts.

Aligned with ISO 14025, ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, this PCR enables organizations to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability through independently verified statements.

System Boundaries: modular approach to Life Cycle Analysis

The EPDItaly041 PCR uses a detailed approach that divides the product life cycle into three main modules: Upstream, Core and Downstream. This structure ensures a comprehensive and transparent assessment, providing a clear understanding of the associated environmental impacts.

Upstream Module

Includes all supply chain activities up to the delivery of materials to the machine manufacturer:

• Raw material preparation, from resource extraction to production of machine components, including spare parts.
• Intermediate processes for the manufacture and assembly of components and spare parts that do not take place in the machine manufacturer’s plant.

Core Module

This module covers processes internal to the manufacturer, including:

• Energy production (e.g., electricity and fuels such as gasoline or methane) used in the core module, including extraction, refining, and transportation to the end user.
• On-site energy generation, if self-produced by the company (e.g., through photovoltaic panels).
• Direct emissions at the production plant.
• Consumption of water and auxiliary materials.
• Assembly and production of the machinery unit (including testing phase).
• Internal transportation.
• Treatment of waste produced in the plant, including transportation to treatment facilities.

Downstream Module

Focuses on post-production activities, including:

• Transportation of machinery to the final customer.
• Packaging waste treatment, including transportation to treatment facilities.
• Energy and materials required for installation (if any).
• Energy (e.g., fuel, heat, steam, or electricity) used during the operational phase, based on the representative life cycle (RLS).
• Water consumption related to the use of the machinery.
• Production and use of auxiliary materials, such as detergents, lubricants and chemicals.
• Waste treatment, including transportation, for waste materials.
• Materials and energy required for maintenance (if any).
• Materials/energy required for disassembly (optional).
• End of product life, including transportation to treatment facilities (optional).

Environmental impacts: indicators and assessment methods

The assessment of environmental impacts includes 19 impact categories, supplemented by 9 additional categories that delve into three key aspects: human toxicity, non-cancer; human toxicity, cancer; and ecotoxicity, fresh water.

In addition, it is critical to include specific parameters describing resource use and waste generation, thus providing a detailed and comprehensive view of the product’s environmental contributions. This analysis allows for an accurate and transparent assessment of the overall life cycle impact of the product.

Toward more sustainable production

The EPDItaly041 PCR represents an important step for the filling, wrapping and packaging machinery industry by providing clear guidelines for a standardized and globally recognized environmental assessment. Organizations that adopt this PCR can not only improve transparency, but also demonstrate their commitment to sustainable and responsible production, gaining credibility and trust in the marketplace.