AF&PA, FPAC and FPInnovations Issue New Product Category Rules

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), in collaboration with the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and FPInnovations issued Product Category Rules (PCR) for market pulp, paper and paperboard, containerboard and tissue products manufactured in North America.

The PCR provides rules and requirements for conducting paper product life cycle assessment (LCA) reports as well as developing Type III Environmental Product Declarations that communicate the environmental footprint of products to customers. The PCR development process included the participation of a broad stakeholder group including manufacturers, trade associations, government agencies, non-government organizations, retail representatives, independent parties, academia and other Environmental Product Declarations program operators.

"This PCR has been approved by an independent peer review panel of recognized LCA experts," said Debbie Steckel, executive director of the American Center for Life Cycle Assessment.  "It conforms to the requirements of ISO International Standards, providing consistent and transparent environmental evaluation standards with the highest degree of credibility."

Lal Mahalle, project leader for FPInnovations, said, "Paper buyers can feel confident that product sustainability documentation using our PCR guidance covers the environmental impact categories that are published in recognized scientific literature and are most relevant to pulp and paper products made in North America".

The PCR is available on the FPInnovations website:

 

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable US pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative - Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. The forest products industry accounts for approximately four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures over $200 billion in products annually, and employs approximately 900,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states.