PEFCR for space activities at a glance
The Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for the space sector will establish a standardised method for assessing and reducing environmental impacts across the EU space sector.
This project responds to the growing need for sustainable space activities.
By focusing on space-specific challenges, such as complex supply chains and high-tech materials used by the space industry, this project supports the European Union’s commitment to safer and more resilient space missions, while promoting sustainability, transparency, and innovation.
Mandated by the European Commission, the project is implemented jointly by an external consortium coordinated by VITO as well other PEFCR experts and technical leads from PRé Sustainability, Ecomatters,Ecoinnovazione, Glasgow Caledonian University and NovaSpace.
Developing the PEFCR
Project overview
The PEFCR for space initiative focuses on developing PEFCR and Environmental Footprint (EF) compliant datasets for the EU space sector, enabling tailored environmental assessments that address sector-specific needs. PEF supporting studies are conducted alongside the development of the PEFCR to validate its applicability. These studies test whether the proposed modelling rules can be effectively applied to specific space products and assess how well the PEF methodology functions in practice
Policy context
This work will follow the EU’s recommended Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and Organisation Environmental Footprint (EF) methods set out in EU Commission Recommendation 2021/2279.
The PEFCR helps companies make trustworthy environmental claims, combat greenwashing, and promote sustainability in the space sector based on the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method, an EU-recommended approach for life cycle assessments (LCAs).
By establishing a harmonised industry standard, the PEFCR ensures transparency and credibility in reporting environmental impacts.
The development of the Space PEFCR aligns with key EU policies, including:
How to get involved?
The success of the PEFCR for space depends on the engagement of stakeholders and collaboration between key industry players, policymakers, and experts.
A first call for expression of interest was published in 2024 (18 September - 11 October 2024) for setting up of the Technical Secretariat of the PEFCR for Space, and for the selection of members of the working groups and of the external review panel.
More opportunities for becoming involved in this project will be announced shortly, with a new call of expression to participate in the supporting studies and with the opening of a public consultation on first draft PEFCR for space expected in 2025 to allow stakeholders to provide feedback and insights into industry challenges and best practices.
Technical Secretariat (TS) Members
Industry representatives, NGOs, scientific experts, and government institutions contributing to PEFCR development.
External Reviewers
Independent panel composed by third-party experts with at least 3 members (NGO representatives, LCA Expert, industry experts) reviewing draft PEFCRs and datasets to ensure accuracy and reliability
Data providers
- for PEF supporting studies: test the feasibility of using PEFCRs for various products
- for EF-compliant datasets: Contribute to the development of EF-compliant dataset
External Stakeholders
Participants (unlimited) in open public consultations providing feedback and insights into industry challenges and best practices.
Why develop a PEFCR for space?
The adoption of the PEFCR in the space sector is expected to deliver significant outcomes aligned with policy developments focused on sustainability.
Key expected outcomes include:
Standardised environmental assessmentsPEFCR sets a consistent method to assess environmental impacts of products, processes, and services. This enables informed decisions, better data sharing, more competitive, and a sustainability-driven market.
Greater transparency and accountabilityPEFCR improves the accuracy of environmental reporting, helping organisations meet regulations and build trust with stakeholders, including investors and customers.
Accelerated innovationThe drive to reduce environmental footprints encourages companies to adopt sustainable materials, processes, and waste strategies, improving both sustainability and mission efficiency.
Development of EF- Compliant DatasetsDedicated datasets will be developed for key space industry products and processes, tailored to stakeholder needs and based on both existing and new data.
Enhanced industry collaborationCommon standards make it easier for companies to share data and collaborate on environmental solutions, driving industry-wide progress toward sustainability goals.
Milestones of the project
- October 2024
Establishment of Technical Secretariat (TS) and start of activities to define the scope of the PEFCR, the modelling rules, and model the PEF representative products.
- January 2025
Set-up and start of activities of TS sub-working groups (five in total): Earth-observation, satellite navigation, satellite communication, in-space transport and launch services
- February 2025
Set-up of the external review panel.
- April - June 2025
Data collection by the Technical Secretariat and the Working Group (WG) members.
- July 2025
Call of expression to participate in the supporting studies of the PEFCR for space
- October 2025
Webinar – introduction to the supporting studies
- Oct - Nov 2025
Public consultation on first draft PEFCR for space.
- 2026
- Start the development, definition and acquisition of EF compliant datasets for the PEFCR for space
- Supporting studies
- Public consultation of second draft PEFCR for space
- 2027
- Submission of final PEFCR for space to the Environmental Footprint Technical Advisory Board
- Finalise the PEFCR for space
Project newsletters
Stay up to date with the latest developments, milestones, and insights from the project. All published newsletters are available below as downloadable PDF files, offering an overview of key progress and upcoming activities.
Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCRs) are a set of rules that offer specific guidance for a dedicated product category, additional to the general guidance provided with the PEF method. The PEFCR are tailored to specific product categories and focus on key aspects to guarantee that the study results are relevant, reproducible and comparable. They identify the life cycle stages and environmental impact categories that matter the most and set out methodological choices specific for the product category.
The public consultations will be organized via the EU Survey, that means that everyone who is interested can comment on the draft PEFCR.
At this moment it is still allowed for more organisations to join the TS. However, some boundaries will be required, as we need to keep the TS size manageable.
The PEFCR focusses on the comparability among the products that fall within the same sub-category. Studies of such products need to allow comparison to each other, and to the benchmark (=result of the RP study).