The Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) is a method developed by the European Commission to measure the environmental impact of products across their entire life cycle. This includes everything from the extraction of raw materials to the product’s end-of-life, such as disposal or recycling. It uses a scientific approach called life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate factors like greenhouse gas emissions, resource use, and waste.

The aim of the PEF is to offer a consistent way for companies to assess and report the environmental performance of their products.

UKFT has contributed feedback to the European Commission during the development of the PEF, working through the European industry body Euratex, to represent the views of its members.

Following a review by expert groups, the European Commission has confirmed that the current version of the PEF is ready to move forward. This version, submitted in early 2025, includes a recent update that limits how single-score results can be communicated to consumers. It is expected to be approved and published in May 2025.

Once published, the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) will be available for companies to use voluntarily. Updates to the methodology are planned for 2026, with a new version of the supporting database expected between 2027 and 2028.

Some aspects of the PEFCR may be considered in future EU regulations, such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The PEF method is also referenced in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) as one option for assessing environmental impacts across a company’s operations and supply chain.

In the future, the PEFCR may be recognised under the EU Green Claims Directive as a valid method for communicating environmental information about products like clothing and footwear. Other life cycle assessment methods may also be accepted, provided they meet similar standards of detail and reliability.

Final approval from the European Commission was released last week.

Ongoing discussions in textiles

While the PEF provides a structured approach to measuring environmental impacts, it has prompted ongoing discussion due to concerns about how the methodology compares natural and synthetic fibres. Some stakeholders argue that PEF may not fully capture the broader environmental characteristics of natural fibres – such as their biodegradability or potential for carbon sequestration – while synthetic fibres, which may perform better on certain indicators like water use, are linked to long-term issues such as microplastic pollution.

Critics also highlight limitations in the underlying data and the exclusion of social and economic factors, which can influence how results are interpreted. These discussions continue as the methodology is tested and refined. There are also ongoing discussions about the potential use of PEF in regulation before these methodological issues are fully addressed.

UKFT fully recognises that the ongoing developments surrounding the EU Product Environmental Footprint are a source of concern and debate within the fashion and textiles industry, including for many of our members. Currently, the PEF is a voluntary methodology and we anticipate that it will undergo significant changes should it form the basis of future regulation. We remain committed to providing accurate, timely and transparent updates as new information becomes available, ensuring our members are well informed and supported throughout.

For more information: PEF METHOD – European Commission

Members can get in touch by emailing info@ukft.org.

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