Product Category Rule Standards and Related Initiatives
In the interest of enhancing transparency and information-sharing, OMB Circular A-119 encourages federal agencies to advise the public about ongoing or planned participation in standards development activities when doing so to address issues of national priority.
EPA and other federal government agencies are participating in Product Category Rule standards and related initiatives in support of EPA’s Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials/Environmentally Preferable Purchasing program. EPA has developed a detailed table, USG PCR and Related Initiative Involvement (pdf) , of the U.S. Government’s participation. A summary is provided in the table below.
| Material/Topics | PCR/Resource Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt | ||
| Asphalt Mix | PCRs For Asphalt Mixtures | Published: not being updated |
| Additives | Interim Guidance for Upstream Suppliers | Public comment period closed |
| Additives | Liquid Asphalt Additives | In development |
| Binders | Part B PCR for Asphalt Binders | Public comment period closed |
| Emulsions | Asphalt Emulsion Products | In development |
| Concrete & Cement | ||
| Ready mix | PCR for Concrete | Being updated |
| Cement | Portland, Blended, Masonry, Mortar and Plastic (Stucco) Cement, v3.2 | Call for PCR Committee participants |
| SCMs | Part B PCR for Supplementary Cementitious Materials | Public comment period closed |
| Admixtures | Concrete Admixtures | In development |
| Steel | ||
| Steel | PCR Guidance for Building-Related Products and Services Part B: Designated Steel Construction Product EPD Requirements | Public comment period closed |
| Glass | ||
| Fabricated Glass | Fenestration Assemblies | Published: not being updated |
| Other PCRs | ||
| Architectural Coatings | Architectural Coatings PCR | Being updated |
| Gypsum | PCR for Gypsum Panel Products | Public comment period closed |
| Agricultural fibers | Part B PCR for Agricultural and Annually Renewable Fibers | In development |
| Insulation | PCRs Guidance for Building-Related Products and Services Part B: Building Envelope Thermal Insulation EPD Requirements | Being updated |
| Brick | Clay Brick, Clay Brick Pavers, and Structural Clay Tile UNCPC 3731 and 3735 | In development |
| Other Initiatives | ||
| ACLCA: General Guidance | 2022 ACLCA PCR Guidance – Process and Methods Toolkit | Call for PCR Committee participants |
| ACLCA: Data Specificity in EPDs | Data Specificity in Environmental Product Declarations | In development |
| ACLCA: Digital EPDs | Digital EPDs | Public comment period has closed |
| ACLCA: Renewable Energy | Guidance for Quantifying Renewable Electricity Instruments in EPDs | Being updated |
| ACLCA: Uncertainty Methodology | Uncertainty Methodology | Call for PCR Committee participants |
| ISO-14025 | ISO 14025: Environmental labels and declarations | Being updated |
| Smart EPD Part A PCR | Smart EPD™ Part A Product Category Rules for Building and Construction Products and Services, v1.01 | Published: not being updated |
| UNIDO: Steel, concrete and cement | Guidance for PCR Harmonization: Driving consistency in the greenhouse gas accounting system for steel, cement and concrete products (United Nations Industrial Development Organization: Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative) | Published |
Table updated October 22, 2024.