Spanish project develops environmental rules for publications

The LIFE ‘Ecoedición’ project (LIFE08 ENV/E/0000124) has developed Product Category Rules (PCR) for printed books and e-books. The rules establish common and harmonised ways of calculating the environmental impacts of publications at a European level.

More specifically, PCR define the requirements for obtaining a type III eco-label or Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) according to ISO 14025. An EPD is a communication tool that provides relevant, verified and quantitative data on the environmental impacts of a publication throughout its lifecycle.

Such data enable clear comparisons of the environmental performance of publications to be made. The effect is to facilitate decision-making within green public procurement processes and to increase responsible consumption by consumers and readers. It also introduces the concept of ecodesign and fosters continuous improvement in publishing and printing houses.

To find out more about PCRs, visit the website of Environdec, the certification body in charge of Environmental Product Declarations.

For more information on green publishing, visit www.ecoedicion.eu