Methodology for PCF Calculations of Lubricants, Greases and other Specialties
1 Intention of methodology document
There is an increasing request from customers of the lubricants industry to supply product carbon footprints (PCF), also named carbon footprint of a product (CFP), of lubricants, greases and other specialities. For these customers, transparent and coherent PCFs are important for identifying and ultimately reducing GHG emissions across the value chain of lubricants. However, different methodologies and assumptions for calculating PCFs widen the spread and variability of PCFs. Furthermore, PCF calculations are perceived as time-consuming and costly, hindering their broad calculation across value chains. To address these points, the Union of the European Lubricants Industry (UEIL) and the Technical Association of the European Lubricants Industry (ATIEL) have developed a cradle-to-gate methodology document, which is fully aligned with ISO Standard 14067:2018 and the GHG Protocol Product Standard (GHG PPS) to provide consistent guidance for the lubricants industry and their stakeholders when conducting product carbon footprint calculations for lubricants, greases and associated specialities. By this means, this methodology document aims to provide guidance to lubricants, greases and other specialities product sectors, facilitating a more consistent implementation of existing PCF methodologies. By adopting a standardized approach, this document helps minimize the spread and variability of PCFs resulting from inconsistent methodology choices. It also serves as a starting point for all companies to calculate comparable PCF values.
There is an acknowledgment that prioritizing and optimizing a single impact category can have unintended consequences on other environmental aspects. These trade- offs can be identified separately from this methodology in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to include additional impact categories. The PCF, as well as the LCA can be expanded to include more life cycle stages, if applicable, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the product's overall environmental impact.
The following definitions apply in understanding how to implement this methodology in accordance with ISO International Standards:
• The term “shall” indicates what is required for a PCF to be compliant with this methodology.
• The term “should” indicates a recommendation rather than a requirement. Any deviation from a “should” recommendation must be justified by the party conducting the study and made transparent.
• The term “may” indicates an option that is permissible.
• The term "can" is used to indicate that something is possible, for example, that an organization or individual is able to do something.
Version 1.2, 15.10.2025 © ATIEL and UEIL
Page 3 of 40 This document is a controlled document only in electronic form. Printed versions or copies are not subject to change service
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