Networking Meeting: LIFE and the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint)

The meeting consisted of two-morning sessions where both LIFE and non-LIFE projects dealing with the PEF shared lessons learnt and best practices.

The Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based method recommended by the European Commission for assessing the environmental performance of products across various sectors. This voluntary instrument aims to enable companies to minimise environmental impacts throughout the value chain of their goods and services. 

The purpose of this networking meeting was for LIFE and non-LIFE projects implementing PEF to offer strategic feedback to policymakers at DG  Environment. The goal was also to support the application of Environmental Footprint (EF) methods in relevant policies and initiatives. Additionally, it aimed to contribute to the prospective review of the PEF methodological guidelines, expected to conclude by the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026.  

The agenda of the event is available at this link.

LIFE projects: 

A selection of relevant LIFE projects will participate to this networking meeting, including:  

Life PREFER - demonstrating the effectiveness of the European methodology for environmental footprint in different sectors using the cluster approach to overcome common challenges faced by SMEs, such as lack of human and financial resources. 

LIFE DOP - promoting the transition to a circular economy within the dairy sector's entire value chain by evaluating a new model to produce Grana Padano Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Parmigiano Reggiano PDO. 

LIFE BIOPOL - showcasing the technical and economic viability of an innovative process for producing new biopolymers (green chemicals) used in the tanning industry. These biopolymers are produced by recycling waste biomass from related tanning and agro-food industries. 

Life-RENDER - developing an innovative decision-support tool to assist SMEs in the food and drink sector with Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) compliant studies and identifying targeted environmental measures. 

LIFE GOAST - demonstrating the benefits of a new chrome-free tanning technology on a semi-industrial scale. 

LIFE EFFIGE - enhancing the environmental performance of organizations in major supply chains (furniture, foundry, agrifood, and catering services) by implementing the PEF. 

LIFE TTGG - improving the supply chain efficiency of European hard and semi-hard PDO cheeses by designing and developing an Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) to assess and reduce their PEF. 

LIFE AQUAPEF - developing a methodology and tools to support the implementation of PEF in the Mediterranean aquaculture sector.  

LIFE GreenShoes4All - providing clear information and accurate measurements on the environmental impact of footwear products, aligning with Commission Directive 2013/179/EU. 

LIFE MAGIS - targeting consumers and producers to support the launch and spread of the PEF method and the PEF-based Made Green in Italy scheme. 

LIFE CO2PES&PEF - promoting and supporting forestry ecosystems in CO2 storage and preventing fire and windthrow risks. 

LIFE I'M-TAN - validating the use of highly sustainable chemically modified natural tannins (CMNT) for environmentally sustainable high-quality leather. 

LIFE Superlist Belgium - reducing the negative environmental and health impacts of Belgium's food consumption patterns. 

LIFETURF - demonstrating a new model for managing synthetic turf sports fields, focusing on the principles of reduce, reuse, recover, and recycle. 

LIFE Supporting Studies PEF A&F - conducting supporting studies for products in the textile and footwear value chain to validate assumptions and develop a methodology to calculate product footprints. 

FLORIPEF - developing standardised methodologies and benchmarking for calculating the environmental footprint of horticultural products, widely supported by suppliers, supply chain partners, and customers. 

LIFE ECO FOOD CHOICE - developing and testing new methodologies for life cycle inventories and environmental scores on food, along with a labelling scheme. 

More LIFE to LEVELs - gaining a rigorous, harmonized, and thorough understanding of how the Level(s) Framework is applied in different building typologies across Europe.