Finding the Right PCR: Your Shortcut Guide
Pick the wrong Product Category Rule and your EPD project can stall for months. Choose the right one and the declaration writes itself, shaving weeks off verification and letting sales teams wave that green badge sooner.
PCRs: Why Your EPD Lives or Dies on This Choice
A PCR is the game rulebook for your LCA. It locks down functional unit, system boundaries, and impact categories so reviewers can compare apples to apples. More than 500 PCRs exist globally across 25 program operators (GEDnet, 2025), but any single product usually fits only one.
Map Your Product to a Standard First
Start by fixing the regulatory lens. Construction products in Europe must reference EN 15804 +A2, while North American buyers often expect ISO 21930 alignment. ISO standards are reviewed every five years, so check the latest confirmation notice before you proceed (ISO, 2023).
Sweep the Libraries Before You Write Line One
Look for an existing PCR before even opening an LCA tool. The quickest route is a library search:
- International EPD System PCR Library: 100+ rulebooks covering construction, food, and metals (EPD International, 2025)
- IBU PCR Part B sets tailored rules for most European building materials (IBU, 2025)
- ASTM and CSA host North American PCRs for cement, steel, and wood products, updated continuously If you find two similar PCRs, pick the one accepted by specifiers in your main sales region.
Check the Functional Unit Like a Tailor Measures Cloth
A PCR that declares one square foot when you sell by the linear foot will bleed time in conversions and scenario rewrites. Ensure the declared or functional unit, reference service life, and key performance metrics mirror how you quote jobs today. Tweaking your bill of materials is cheaper than rewriting the PCR later.
Watch the Clock on PCR Validity
PCRs expire or require revision every five years in most programs. A concrete PCR issued in 2021 already has a 2026 sunset date (NSF, 2021). Using a PCR with twelve months left is risky because reviewers may demand reruns under the successor document. Aim for at least a three-year runway.
Draft When Needed, but Never Duplicate
If no PCR fits, gather peers or a trade group to co-author one instead of cloning a near match. Duplicate PCRs confuse specifiers and slow market uptake. Program operators actively encourage consolidation because it improves comparability (GEDnet, 2025).
The Takeaway: A Repeatable Shortcut
Lock geography and standard, scan trusted libraries, confirm the functional unit, check the revision clock, and only then pull the data lever. Follow that sequence and your team spends their time on production, not on paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we verify if a PCR is still valid before starting our EPD?
Check the publication year and the operator’s stated review cycle. Most follow a five-year revision rule. Operators post current status on their PCR library pages. If fewer than twelve months remain, contact the operator to confirm whether an update is underway.
What happens if two program operators publish PCRs for the same product category?
Both remain valid, but specifiers may prefer one based on regional norms. Review which PCR your target markets cite in bid documents and green-building rating tools, then align with that rulebook.
How long does PCR approval add to an EPD timeline?
If an existing PCR fits, zero days. Drafting a new PCR typically adds six to twelve months for consultation, public comment, and committee approval, depending on operator workload and stakeholder engagement.
Can we publish an EPD while the PCR revision is in progress?
Some operators allow EPDs under the current PCR if verification is completed before the new version is published. Confirm cutoff dates early to avoid rework.
Do PCR libraries charge for document access?
Most operators share PCRs for free download, though some require registration. Subscription fees can apply for detailed guidance or tool integrations.
Is it possible to use a generic PCR for an early market launch?
Generic or umbrella PCRs exist, but they often limit functional unit flexibility. Use them only as a bridge strategy and plan to migrate to a product-specific PCR within the first certification cycle.
About the Author
Walker Ryan is a climate-tech entrepreneur focused on driving industrial decarbonization through better data. As the founder and CEO of Parq, he helps manufacturers generate high-quality, third-party–verified carbon disclosures at scale—accelerating a traditionally slow and expensive process. Before starting Parq, Walker led over $200 million in sustainability-focused investments as VP of Strategy & Growth at ReStream Solutions, following earlier experience in investment banking at Deutsche Bank. He brings a rare mix of capital markets expertise and hands-on sustainability knowledge to tackling the infrastructure of industrial emissions.
