EPD vs PCF vs LCA: What Is the Difference?

Customers, importers and project owners increasingly ask for product environmental data. The three terms you meet most often are LCA, PCF and EPD. They are closely related but not interchangeable. This article explains each tool and when to use which.

In short: LCA is a method for assessing a product's full environmental impact; PCF is one indicator – greenhouse gases – calculated with a life cycle approach; an EPD is a published document presenting LCA results verified by a third party.

1. Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

1.1. What is an EPD?

An EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) is a Type III environmental declaration under ISO 14025. It presents quantified environmental impacts of a product – such as climate change, resource use, acidification and eutrophication – calculated with an LCA following the product category rules (PCR) for that product type. Because products of the same type use the same PCR, their EPDs can be compared.

Learn more: What is an EPD?

1.2. EPD development process

1. Choose the PCR and EPD programme (programme operator, e.g. the International EPD System).

2. Carry out the LCA according to the PCR and prepare the background LCA report.

3. Prepare the EPD document using the programme template.

4. Independent third-party verification.

5. Registration and publication in the programme's library.

For construction products, EPDs under EN 15804+A2 are valid for five years.

2. Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)

2.1. What is PCF?

PCF (Product Carbon Footprint) is the total greenhouse gas emissions and removals associated with a product, expressed in CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e). It is calculated under ISO 14067, either cradle-to-gate or cradle-to-grave.

2.2. Steps to develop a PCF

1. Goal and scope: functional unit and system boundary.

2. Activity data collection: materials, energy, transport, waste.

3. Apply emission factors to each activity and sum the CO₂e.

4. Hotspot analysis and PCF report.

PCF reflects climate change only, so it suits customers who only ask for carbon data or businesses setting product-level reduction targets.

3. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

3.1 What is LCA?

LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) assesses multiple environmental impacts of a product across its life cycle: raw material extraction, manufacturing, transport, use and end of life.

3.2 Four main phases of an LCA (ISO 14040 & ISO 14044)

1. Goal and scope definition – purpose, functional unit, system boundary.

2. Life cycle inventory (LCI) – quantifying material, energy and emission flows.

3. Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) – converting inventory data into impact indicators.

4. Interpretation – assessing reliability and limitations and drawing recommendations.

LCA is the basis for an EPD; PCF uses the same methodology but calculates a single indicator.

3.3 Overall Comparison: EPD – PCF – LCA

4. Which Tool Should You Choose?

If you plan an EPD later, carry out the LCA according to the PCR from the start to avoid rework.

See our service: LCA and EPD consulting

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Is PCF part of LCA? Methodologically, PCF uses the same life cycle approach as LCA but calculates only the climate change indicator, under its own standard, ISO 14067.

If we have an EPD, do we still need a PCF? EPDs usually include the global warming potential (GWP) indicator. Some customers still require a PCF in a specific method or format.

Is an EPD a certification? No. An EPD is a document disclosing verified data; it does not rate a product as "pass" or "fail".

6. Conclusion

LCA, PCF and EPD complement each other: LCA provides the method, PCF focuses on carbon and an EPD publishes verified results. Choosing the right tool from the start avoids rework and meets your customers' requirements.