> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.maalbar.dk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# PEF vs EPD: Environmental Standards Explained

> Understand the difference between PEF and EPD, why Målbar uses PEF methodology, and what it means for comparing product environmental data.

Two acronyms appear repeatedly in product environmental reporting: **PEF** and **EPD**. They are often mentioned together, but they serve different purposes and are not directly interchangeable. Understanding the distinction helps you interpret environmental claims accurately — and explains why Målbar's calculations are built on PEF methodology.

## PEF — Product Environmental Footprint

The **Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)** is a methodology developed by the European Commission to standardise how the environmental impact of products is calculated and communicated.

Key characteristics of PEF:

* **One harmonised set of rules** applied consistently across countries and sectors
* Covers **16 impact categories**, from climate change and water use to particulate matter and land use
* Results can be expressed as a **PEF single score** — a single number representing overall environmental performance, obtained by normalising and weighting all 16 categories
* Designed to **enable direct comparisons** between products, reducing the risk of misleading green claims

<Info>
  Målbar's calculations use PEF methodology. This means your results are calculated according to the same rules as any other PEF-compliant assessment, making them directly comparable.
</Info>

## EPD — Environmental Product Declaration

An **Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)** is a third-party verified document that communicates the environmental performance of a product. EPDs are widely used in construction, manufacturing, and procurement.

Key characteristics of EPDs:

* Independently verified by a third party
* Based on a Product Category Rule (PCR) specific to the product type
* Managed by different **programme operators** (e.g., EPD International, Institut Bauen und Umwelt, Norwegian EPD Foundation) — each with their own rules

<Warning>
  Because different programme operators apply different rules, EPDs are **not always directly comparable** across manufacturers or regions, even for similar products.
</Warning>

## PEF vs EPD at a glance

|                   | PEF                              | EPD                                       |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Rules             | One harmonised EU methodology    | Varies by programme operator              |
| Comparability     | High — consistent across sectors | Limited — depends on the PCR and operator |
| Verification      | Methodology is standardised      | Third-party verified                      |
| Impact categories | 16                               | Varies                                    |
| Single score      | Yes (PEF single score)           | Not typically                             |

<Tip>
  **In short: PEF = standardised and comparable. EPD = verified and widely used, but less consistent.**
</Tip>

## Why Målbar uses PEF

Målbar uses PEF methodology because it provides the most rigorous and consistent basis for product comparisons. When you calculate a product footprint in Målbar, you can be confident that the result follows the same rules as any other PEF-compliant calculation — making your data reliable for internal decision-making and external reporting alike.

## Download the illustration

<Card title="PEF & EPD illustration (PDF)" icon="file-arrow-down" href="https://www.maalbar.dk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PEF-EDP.pdf">
  Download the Målbar Academy visual explainer comparing PEF and EPD.
</Card>