Product Category Rules (PCRs)

What are product category rules (PCRs)?

PCRs are necessary tools that define the rules and requirements for creating product category specific life cycle assessment studies and summarizing the results in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). PCRs are developed in an open and collaborative manner, much like industry standards. Interested parties and stakeholders may participate in an open development process, which allows them to review the draft PCR, ask questions and share comments electronically. Stakeholders may include material suppliers, manufacturers, trade associations, purchasers, users, consumers, nongovernmental organizations, public agencies, life cycle assessment practitioners and certification bodies.

UL Solutions, a program operator functioning in accordance to ISO 14025, maintains all comments and questions received during the development process and then posts PCRs for a public comment period. Then, UL Solutions will submit a final version of the PCR to a review panel for approval. Once approved, it is published on UL Standards website. Most PCRs expire every five years and must be reviewed at that time to address relevant changes in the industry. However, PCRs are living documents and may be updated within this window, if needed.

To move forward with certification of an EPD with UL Solutions, a PCR must already exist for the product type. UL Solutions can certify EPDs using existing PCRs created by any program operator. When no PCR exists for a product group or particular geography, UL Solutions will work with stakeholders to create one or address regionally-specific requirements for existing PCRs that were created for another market.

Below are links to PCRs and geographic-specific addenda created and published by UL Solutions:

PCR – Building related products

The Building Related Products PCR is broken into a Part A core PCR for all building materials, and a Part B, which is product-type specific.   Part A and relevant Part B are to be used together as the full PCR for products within the scope.

Part A – Current

• Product Category Rules for Building Related Products and Services, Part A: Life Cycle Assessment Calculation Rules and Report Requirements

PCR – Other products

• Hand Dryers (Global)
• Power Inverter Products
• Printers and Multi-Function Printing Units
• Tires
• Three-Zone Multi-Temperature Transport Refrigeration Units

PCR – In development

Please contact us for more information about UL Solutions' PCR development process.

• Product Category Rule (PCR) Guidance for Asphalt Emulsion Products
• Product Category Rules (PCR) Guidance for Building-Related Products and Services Part B: Building Envelope Thermal Insulation

Call for participation on a PCR committee

If you are interested in participating on one of the following PCR committees, please download and complete the PCR committee application form at the bottom of this page. All applications should be submitted to ul.pcr@ul.com.

None at this time.

Expiring PCRs open for public comment

Comments on the following, existing PCR draft and comments should be submitted to ul.pcr@ul.com using the provided comment template at the bottom of the page:

None at this time.

The benefits of product category rules

UL Solutions has extensive experience developing PCRs and a proven history of working with multiple stakeholders. In addition, UL Solutions can verify EPDs by using existing PCRs created by other program operators.

Why UL Solutions

UL Solutions is a global leader in the development of PCRs, and our experience working with industries and stakeholders enables us to support you and your EPDs.