Environmental Paper Network Names SCS Global Services to Steer Development of Product Category Rules for Roundwood, Market Pulp, and Paper Products
September 9, 2016 /3BL Media/ - The North American Environmental Paper Network (EPN) announced that SCS Global Services (SCS), a leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification and standards development, will serve as the Program Operator for the development of Product Category Rules (PCR) Modules for Roundwood, Market Pulp, and Paper Products. PCRs are the product category-specific requirements for conducting life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and reporting the environmental and human health impacts associated with these products in published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
“The Environmental Paper Network is very pleased that SCS Global Services will be steering this important effort,” said Joshua Martin, Director of EPN. “The deep expertise of SCS Global Services in Life Cycle Assessment, their knowledge of the forest and paper industry, and their reputation for thoroughness and quality will position this project to successfully develop truly useful and fair comparisons of the impacts and sustainability of wood and paper products.”
With the new PCR Modules being developed, stakeholders will be able to prepare EPDs of roundwood, market pulp, and paper products, allowing for fair and accurate comparisons of the environmental performance of these products. This will be the first PCR to be developed according to an updated LCA analytic framework that is based on the latest science and methods, and is the only LCA methodology which requires that all impacts associated with wood and paper production be considered in EPDs. This framework, described in a draft national standard nearing finalization under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process, has the support of major NGOs, industry representatives, academics, and other stakeholders. The framework has also been formally put forward by members of the US Technical Advisory Group to the ISO Technical Committee 207 for inclusion in the international standard for life cycle assessment, ISO 14044.
“The development of Product Category Rule modules for roundwood, pulp, and paper, represents a significant step forward in helping purchasers who are seeking to identify low-impact sources of wood and paper,” said Tobias Schultz, Manager of Corporate Sustainability Services at SCS. “By using the updated analytic framework, the resultant EPDs will be able to report on all relevant impacts related to wood and paper production, setting a new bar for transparency in environmental claims in this sector.”
EPN’s network of over 140 not-for-profit organizations is committed to improving sustainability in the paper industry, from sourcing to energy to fair labor. As part of this commitment, EPN is actively working to improve LCA to reflect current science, including updating ISO 14044, to include all impact categories. These reforms will significantly expand the usefulness and accuracy of LCAs and EPDs for forest products around the world, leading to better decision-making and increased support and purchasing of lower impact products.
About the North American Environmental Paper Network
EPN, founded in 2002, is a network of organizations dedicated to empowering and motivating consumers, corporations, organizations and governments to protect forests, climate, air, water and communities through more sustainable production and consumption of pulp and paper. EPN member organizations are working to create transformational change in the pulp and paper industry in accordance with the Global Paper Vision and its seven priority areas. For information, visit www.environmentalpaper.org.
About SCS Global Services
SCS Global Services has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for more than three decades. Programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, and more. SCS is a Benefit Corporation, reflecting its corporate commitment to creating a material positive impact on society and the environment.
Janelle Agius | Marketing Coordinatorjagius@scsglobalservices.com510.452.6827
