For a more sustainable space sector
As the space sector expands, driven by rapid technological progress and growing activity from both commercial and government players, it’s becoming increasingly important to make sure these developments are environmentally sustainable. Taking action now will help ensure that space operations remain viable in the long term, while also protecting the environment for future generations.
Based on the EU’s Product and Organisation Environmental Footprint (EF) methods, outlined in the European Commission Recommendation 2021/2279, the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for the space sector will provide a standardised way to assess and reduce environmental impacts across the EU space industry.
External Reviewers: Independent panel of 3+ experts ensuring accuracy and reliability of draft PEFCRs and datasets.
Data Providers: Organizations testing PEFCR feasibility and developing EF-compliant datasets for the space sector.
PEFCR: Making Europe's Space Industry Sustainable
The PEFCR will support companies in the space sector by helping them make reliable, transparent environmental decisions, combat greenwashing, and promote environmental sustainability. As part of this initiative, new datasets aligned with the PEFCR and Environmental Footprint (EF) methods will be developed specifically for the EU space industry. These datasets will enable more accurate environmental assessments which reflect the sector’s unique challenges, such as complex supply chains and the use of high-tech materials. In addition, supporting studies will be carried out to ensure that the PEFCR is practical, effective, and applicable to real-world space products and operations.
Overall, the PEFCR plays a key role in supporting the EU’s goals of strengthening the safety, resilience, and sustainability of space missions while fostering transparency and innovation in the sector.