What are PCRs and why are they important?

Product Category Rules (PCRs) are, according to DIN EN ISO 14025, a compilation of specific rules, requirements, and guidelines used to create Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for one or more product categories. They ensure that the environmental impacts of products within a certain category are recorded and presented according to uniform and comparable criteria.

They are divided into: Core Product Category Rules (Core PCRs), which are usually sector‑specific (EN 15804, EN 50693 etc.), and complementary Product Category Rules (c‑PCRs), which include product‑specific provisions.

In principle, the c‑PCRs must always be consistent with the corresponding Core PCR.

While the Core PCRs are always normative, c‑PCRs can be (CEN) standards or created by program operators. Program operators generally establish such rules when there are no normative c‑PCRs available. In addition, there is also the term Product Specific Rules (PSR), which has been established for electrical and electronic products and likewise provides calculation guidance and definitions.

Kiwa‑EE supports the harmonization of Product Category Rules. In this context, cooperation with other program operators is in place or being sought.

Non‑normative PCRs / PSRs from third parties go through a defined recognition process at Kiwa‑EE.

The Construction Products Regulation (CPR, Regulation (EU) 2024/3110) and the associated harmonized European specifications will in the future establish uniform Product Category Rules for construction products.

The process for creating and maintaining our own Product Category Rules is organized and accompanied by the validation/verification body of Kiwa‑EE.
It follows the Program EE 1201 (General Program Instructions) and the associated Environmental Information Program requirements.

When Kiwa‑EE develops new product‑specific Product Category Rules, it will verify that these established requirements are met.
Documentation is archived. Through LCA expert committees, the involvement of interested parties is ensured. The goal is: transparency, understanding, and acceptance.

Approval is granted by the Expert Committee (Advisory Board) of Kiwa‑EE.

Contact us at de.ecobility.experts@kiwa.com – we will be happy to advise you personally and provide you with the relevant documentation.
Valid PCR/PSR templates and current information on recently published Product Category Rules are available directly from us.

In the past, we have developed a number of new PCRs / PSRs for different product categories.

In the electrical and electronics sector, for example:

• Commercial coffee machines

In the construction sector, for example:

• Fire hose reel with semi‑rigid hose

• Geosynthetic Products