The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has been working to establish the Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP) system since FY 2008 and launched the Pilot Project in April 2009, in cooperation with related ministries based on the outcomes of the previous year’s activities.
In the future, consumer survey on the labeled products will be conducted and the issues clarified throughout the Pilot Program are taken into account to improve the CFP system.
Related Committee : PCR Committee
This committee consisting of third-party intellectuals from academics, consumer and etc., reviews and approves PCRs and also verifies the CFP calculation results and labeling method. If it is considered appropriate, the PCR Committee permits the applicants to use the CFP label.
Related Committee : GHG Emission Factors Review Committee
This committee consisting of third-party intellectuals from academics reviews the Database of GHG Emission Factors for the CFP Pilot Project developed under supervision of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
The verification scheme is under discussion to ensure the credibility and smooth promotion of the CFP system. The following points are fully considered.
Related Study Group : Study Group on Third-party Verification Scheme of CFP
This study group consists of third-party intellectuals, companies, consumers, accreditation bodies and certification bodies. The study group conducts research study on issues related to the verification scheme such as verification methods and competence requirements for verifiers.
Japan has been and will be proactively making contribution to the discussions at ISO and other relevant activities concerning international standardization of issues related to CFP.
Related Committee : ISO CFP Mirror Committee
This committee consists of intellectuals, 26 industrial circles, consumer groups, accreditation bodies, certification bodies and government officials. It discusses and reviews Japanese policies for international standardization based on the CFP Pilot Project outcomes, and proactively contributets to the discussions at ISO concerning international standardization of issues related to CFP.
Four Main Activities in CFP Pilot Project
(1) CFP Calculation & Labeling Pilot Program
Under this Pilot Program, companies and/or industrial circles develop the Product Category Rules (PCR) which defines the criteria for CFP calculation and labeling method for a certain product category, and request the approval of PCR. Then companies (applicants) calculate their products’ CFP pursuant to the approved PCR and receive the third-party verification for the calculation results and labeling methods by the PCR Committee. If the result and the method are considered appropriate, companies can market their product with the CFP label.Products carrying the CFP label were put on the market in October 2009. Some companies which participated in the CFP Pilot Program exhibited their products with the CFP label at "Eco Products-2009". In addition to the exhibition, some intellectuals gave lectures at seminars to raise awareness and promote the CFP system.
Link to CFP brochure distributed at Eco-products 2009.
In the future, consumer survey on the labeled products will be conducted and the issues clarified throughout the Pilot Program are taken into account to improve the CFP system.
Related Committee : PCR Committee
This committee consisting of third-party intellectuals from academics, consumer and etc., reviews and approves PCRs and also verifies the CFP calculation results and labeling method. If it is considered appropriate, the PCR Committee permits the applicants to use the CFP label.
(2) Database Construction
Database of GHG Emission Factors for the CFP Pilot Project is being developed. Tentative database (only available in Japanese) has been released and new items will be added.Related Committee : GHG Emission Factors Review Committee
This committee consisting of third-party intellectuals from academics reviews the Database of GHG Emission Factors for the CFP Pilot Project developed under supervision of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
(3) Building Verification Scheme
The verification scheme is under discussion to ensure the credibility and smooth promotion of the CFP system. The following points are fully considered.
(a) To ensure that credible and transparent information is provided for consumers and others interested in the CFP system.
(b) To aim at building a practical and economical scheme, not to take too much cost for applicants who conduct the CFP calculation.
(b) To aim at building a practical and economical scheme, not to take too much cost for applicants who conduct the CFP calculation.
Related Study Group : Study Group on Third-party Verification Scheme of CFP
This study group consists of third-party intellectuals, companies, consumers, accreditation bodies and certification bodies. The study group conducts research study on issues related to the verification scheme such as verification methods and competence requirements for verifiers.
(4) Contribution to Establishing International Standard
Japan has been and will be proactively making contribution to the discussions at ISO and other relevant activities concerning international standardization of issues related to CFP.Related Committee : ISO CFP Mirror Committee
This committee consists of intellectuals, 26 industrial circles, consumer groups, accreditation bodies, certification bodies and government officials. It discusses and reviews Japanese policies for international standardization based on the CFP Pilot Project outcomes, and proactively contributets to the discussions at ISO concerning international standardization of issues related to CFP.
<CFP Pilot Project (FY2009-FY2011)>
