PCR under
EPD System
Helping set the environmental agenda by creating Product Category Rules under the International Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) System
ESTC transitions from PEFCR to PCR/EPD Framework
22 May 2026
Following consultation with members, and subsequent approval at Board level, ESTC has decided to discontinue further work on the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) pathway and instead move towards the development of Product Category Rules (PCR) under the International EPD System, enabling the use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for synthetic turf systems.
This decision follows a careful assessment of the current status of the European Commission’s PEF framework and the practical needs of our industry.
While the existing PEFCR for Synthetic Turf Systems provides a strong methodological basis and reflects substantial work and stakeholder involvement from our sector, several structural challenges currently limit the feasibility and predictability of continuing along the PEF route.
Limiting Factors:
- the PEF process remains highly dependent on decisions and timelines set by the European Commission;
- the EF 3.1 datasets have expired and are no longer viable;
- the EF 4.0 dataset development process launched by the European Commission was discontinued at the end of 2025;
- the PEF methodology itself is under revision, with adoption expected only towards the end of 2026 and without a clear implementation timeline;
- existing PEFCRs are likely to require substantial revision once the updated methodology and datasets become available.
Taken together, these developments create considerable uncertainty for companies seeking a reliable and timely framework for environmental reporting.
For this reason, ESTC will build on the work already completed under the PEFCR process and translate this into a PCR under the International EPD System. This approach will allow companies to develop harmonised Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for synthetic turf systems covering both sports and landscape applications.
Following consultation with members, and subsequent approval at Board level, ESTC has decided to discontinue further work on the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) pathway and instead move towards the development of Product Category Rules (PCR) under the International EPD System, enabling the use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for synthetic turf systems.
This decision follows a careful assessment of the current status of the European Commission’s PEF framework and the practical needs of our industry.
Moving to EPDs offers several advantages:
- a recognised and internationally established framework;
- greater predictability in implementation and governance;
- harmonised environmental communication across markets;
- improved market access while helping avoid fragmentation through different national approaches.
EPD Taskforce
To support this process, ESTC has established an EPD Task Force composed of experts from member companies. The objective of the Task Force will be to help ensure that the PCR and resulting EPD framework are practical, relevant, and aligned with the needs of the industry.