PCRs for Paints and Coatings, Explained

What a PCR actually does for coatings

A PCR is the rulebook of Monopoly. Ignore it and the game falls apart. For coatings, it locks in the declared unit, system boundary, data quality tests, and comparison rules so your EPD is credible and comparable.

Which PCR applies to your finish

Most building-applied paints and coatings publish under construction-product PCRs that align with EN 15804 in Europe and ISO 21930 frameworks in North America. Many program operators use a Part A for cross‑industry rules plus a Part B or c‑PCR for category specifics like coatings. If you need to name it during procurement, teams often say architectural coatings PCR or simply PCR for paints and coatings.

The update cycle, in numbers that matter

Most PCRs are reviewed on a five‑year cycle, which means older versions sunset and new work must migrate to the current one (UL Solutions, 2024). The International EPD System released PCR 2019:14 version 2.0.0 for construction products in April 2025, set as valid until 2030, with version 1.3.4 phased out on June 20, 2025 (EPD International, 2025). Your existing EPD does not auto‑expire, yet renewals must align with the current PCR.

Declared unit and coverage rules that trip teams up

Coatings PCRs typically use either 1 kilogram of product or 1 square meter of coated substrate at a specified spread rate and dry film thickness. This is where resin chemistry, solids by volume, and recommended application rate must be consistent and fully documented. Tinting, in‑can preservatives, packaging, and cleaning solvents should be addressed so comparisons do not mix apples and sequins.

System boundaries buyers expect to see

A1 to A3 production is table stakes. Many coatings EPDs also report A4 transport and A5 application waste, plus B2 maintenance cycles that model repaints over a reference service life. If competitors include B2, you will want the same modules to avoid a comparability penalty in evaluations.

Program operator nuances for paints and coatings

In Europe, IBU and the International EPD System are common choices. EPD International reports 17,897 plus EPDs in its program, signalling broad market acceptance in 2025 (EPD International, 2025). IBU’s own FAQ currently suggests planning roughly six months for verification due to verifier capacity, which can influence launch timing (IBU, 2025). In the United States, UL Solutions certifies to existing PCRs and notes the typical five‑year PCR review rhythm that drives updates (UL Solutions, 2024).

Paint‑specific modeling choices that move the needle

• Declared unit choice. If your buyers think in coverage, 1 square meter with stated hide and spread rate can make value clear.
• Maintenance cycle. Recoat intervals dominate use‑phase impacts for many architectural paints. Align with the PCR defaults or justify project‑specific intervals.
• Biogenic and mass‑balance claims. If binders include bio‑based content via mass balance, follow the operator’s proof and labeling rules to avoid rework.
• Application waste. Rollers and sprayers mean different overspray and container residues, so document assumptions.

How to pick when options overlap

Mirror the market you sell into. Scan competitor EPDs for the operator and PCR version, then confirm no sunset date will cut across your launch. Verify that the coating category is covered by a Part B or c‑PCR where required, and check if the operator accepts your preferred geography and language. If two routes exist, prefer the one your specifiers already cite in bid documents, since that reduces friction.

Timing pitfalls to avoid in 2025 and 2026

If your existing coatings EPD referenced PCR 2019:14 version 1.3.4, plan your next renewal on version 2.0.0, active through 2030 (EPD International, 2025). For IBU projects, budget time realistically. Their FAQ signals around six months for verification at present, plus editorial checks, which means data collection needs to start early (IBU, 2025). Also note IBU announced a verification fee adjustment from €2,000 to €2,700 effective September 1, 2025, which can impact internal approvals (IBU, 2025).

Data readiness is your speed multiplier

Great partners do more than run the LCA model. They orchestrate data pulls from purchasing, production, and R&D, then translate process reality into auditable inventories with fewer clarifications. That white‑glove approach keeps senior engineers on core work while the EPD moves forward. It also lowers the risk of discovery‑phase delays, which are painful and unneccesary.

Put the PCR to work for growth

The right PCR choice for paints and coatings sharpens comparability, helps earn points under evolving green building systems like LEED v5, and removes uncertainty for specifiers who must account for carbon. Treat the PCR as your launch script. Get the version right, gather the right data once, and choose a program operator your buyers already trust. The reward is simple, more bids where your product stays in the spec.