IEC TR 62921:2015

IEC TR 62921
®

Edition 1.0 2015-02
TECHNICAL
REPORT

colour
inside


Quantification methodology for greenhouse gas emissions for computers and
monitors
IEC TR 62921:2015-02(en)

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IEC TR 62921

®


Edition 10 2015-02




TECHNICAL



REPORT








colour

inside










Quantification methodology for greenhouse gas emissions for computers and

monitors



























INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL


COMMISSION





ICS 13.020.20; 35.1160 ISBN 978-2-8322-2272-0



  Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.


® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission

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– 2 – IEC TR 62921:2015 © IEC 2015
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Terms and definitions . 8
3 Symbols and abbreviations . 10
4 Principles . 10
4.1 Comparing streamlined CFP to comprehensive CFP . 10
4.1.1 General . 10
4.1.2 Level of streamlining . 11
4.2 Viability of streamlined CFP . 12
4.2.1 Streamlining in IEC TR 62725 . 12
4.2.2 Metrics for streamlining . 12
4.2.3 Principles of CFP from IEC TR 62725 . 14
4.2.4 Uncertainty . 15
5 Approaches to streamlined CFP . 16
5.1 General . 16
5.2 Streamlining of data collection . 16
5.2.1 General . 16
5.2.2 Approaches to streamlining data collection . 17
5.3 Streamlining of data inputs. 17
5.3.1 General . 17
5.3.2 Approaches to streamlining data inputs (processing) . 17
6 Comparative study on existing CFP methodologies . 18
6.1 Examples of current worldwide streamlined CFP methodologies . 18
6.1.1 General . 18
6.1.2 Product attribute to impact algorithm (PAIA) . 18
6.1.3 iNEMI eco-impact evaluator . 18
6.1.4 Orange Telecom environmental methodology . 18
6.1.5 Japan CFP method . 18
6.1.6 China CFP method . 19
7 CFP product category rules . 19
7.1 General . 19
7.2 Goal . 19
7.3 Scope . 20
7.3.1 In scope . 20
7.3.2 Out of scope . 20
7.4 Use of primary, primary aggregated and secondary data . 20
7.4.1 General . 20
7.4.2 Allocation methods . 20
7.5 Relevant emission factors and databases . 20
7.6 Functional unit . 20
7.6.1 General . 20
7.6.2 Life cycle stages included . 20
7.6.3 Life cycle stages excluded . 21
7.7 Production . 21

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IEC TR 62921:2015 © IEC 2015 – 3 –
7.7.1 General . 21
7.7.2 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 21
7.8 Chassis . 21
7.8.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 21
7.8.2 Additional considerations for input data . 22
7.9 Populated printed wiring board (PWB) (excluding integrated circuits) . 22
7.9.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 22
7.9.2 Additional considerations for input data . 23
7.10 Integrated circuits (ICs) . 23
7.10.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 23
7.10.2 Additional considerations for input data . 23
7.11 Display . 24
7.11.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 24
7.11.2 Additional considerations for input data . 24
7.12 Data storage device . 24
7.12.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 24
7.12.2 Additional considerations for input data . 25
7.13 Optical disk drive (ODD) . 25
7.13.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 25
7.13.2 Additional considerations for input data . 25
7.14 Power supply unit (PSU, internal or external) . 26
7.14.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 26
7.14.2 Additional considerations for input data . 26
7.15 Battery . 26
7.15.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 26
7.15.2 Additional considerations for input data . 26
7.16 Final assembly . 27
7.16.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 27
7.16.2 Additional considerations for input data . 27
7.17 Final product packaging . 27
7.17.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 27
7.17.2 Additional considerations for input data . 28
7.18 Distribution . 28
7.18.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 28
7.18.2 Additional considerations for input data . 28
7.19 Use . 29
7.19.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 29
7.19.2 Additional considerations for input data . 29
7.20 End of life (EoL) . 29
7.20.1 State-of-the-art calculation recommendations . 29
7.20.2 Additional considerations for input data . 30
8 Documentation . 30
8.1 General . 30
8.2 CFP database . 30
9 Communication and verification . 30
Annex A (informative) Results of a comparative study on existing relevant streamlined
product carbon footprinting methodologies . 31
Annex B (informative) Generic example of streamlined CFP process for ICT products . 41
B.1 Initial analysis . 41

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B.2 Example calculation for a notebook . 41
B.3 Data collection . 42
Annex C (informative) Examples of relevant databases for the IT industry . 43
C.1 Ecoinvent . 43
C.2 US Life Cycle Inventory . 43
C.3 GaBi . 43
C.4 ELCD (European Reference Life Cycle Data System) . 43
C.5 PAIA (Product Attribute to Impact Algorithm) Data . 43
Bibliography . 44

Figure 1 – Depiction of how streamlined CFP fits into comprehensive CFP . 11

Table 1 – Depiction of how streamlined CFP fits into comprehensive CFP . 14
Table A.1 – Comparison of "streamlined" product carbon footprinting methodologies . 32

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IEC TR 62921:2015 © IEC 2015 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

QUANTIFICATION METHODOLOGY FOR GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS FOR COMPUTERS AND MONITORS

FOREWORD
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example "state of the art".
IEC TR 62921, which is a Technical Report, has been prepared by technical area 13:
Environment for AV and multimedia equipment, of IEC technical committee 100: Audio, video
and multimedia systems and equipment.

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– 6 – IEC TR 62921:2015 © IEC 2015
The text of this Technical Report is based on the following documents:
Enquiry draft Report on voting
100/2381/DTR 100/2448/RVC

Full information on the voting for the approval of this Technical Report can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.
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IEC TR 62921:2015 © IEC 2015 – 7 –
INTRODUCTION
Many organizations are looking to adopt product greenhouse gas emissions reporting
mechanisms, including:
• computer and monitor manufacturers, as well as their suppliers and downstream users;
• governmental agencies including France, China, Japan, Korea and the European
Commission;
• retailers and non-regulatory agencies.
There have been several international and regional efforts to provide guidance for calculating
product greenhouse gas emissions. Some of these efforts include IEC TR 62725,
ITU-T L.1410, ETSI TS 103 199, and Greenhouse Gas Protocol ICT Sector Supplement.
Unfortunately, some lack of specificity within these documents allows for variability that can
create a significant difference in product greenhouse gas emission results, depending on how
a practitioner interprets the information. Throughout the process of developing IEC TR 62725,
there was significant discussion regarding the need for further specificity, transparency and
pragmatism in methodology guidance for products covered under IEC TC 100, including
computers and monitors. There is an urgent need to enable methodologies that offer accurate
and defensible estimates of impact in a rapid and effective manner. This Technical Report
aims to fill in some of those gaps.
This Technical Report builds upon the structure laid out by IEC TR 62725. Its goal is to
support universal streamlined product greenhouse gas methodologies for practitioners, with a
further goal of harmonizing the various regional efforts currently in progress.
This Technical Report’s quantification methodology aims to be compliant with, and therefore
be used within, a number of these broader standards efforts. It will provide detailed guidance
for estimating greenhouse gas emissions for computer and monitor products, in order to
obtain consistent, accurate results. The benefit of consistent results is that they can assist
multiple efforts, including but not limited to:
• supporting customer enquiries;
• instituting sustainable design practices;
• initiating conversations around emissions reduction strategies with suppliers and
downstream users;
• targeting data collection within the supply chain in order to address data quality issues.

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QUANTIFICATION METHODOLOGY FOR GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS FOR COMPUTERS AND MONITORS



1 Scope
This Technical Report outlines detailed guidance to streamline the quantification of
greenhouse gas emissions for computers and monitors. Other audio, video and multimedia
products, such as e-readers, phones, tablets, thin clients, workstations and storage
equipment, can be included in future revisions of IEC TR 62921.
For this Technical Report, computers and monitors include notebooks, desktops, and liquid
crystal display (LCD) monitors.
This Technical Report provides specific guidance for the use of streamlining techniques that
minimize cost and resources needed to complete greenhouse gas emissions quantifications.
In addition, the product category rules (PCR) section of this Technical Report recommends
“state-of-the-art” process and data assumptions in order to reduce uncertainty. Lastly, this
Technical Report provides an example of how a calculation could be performed.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
carbon footprint of a product
CFP
sum of greenhouse gas emissions and removals in a product system, expressed as CO
2
equivalents and based on a life cycle assessment using the single impact category of climate
change
Note 1 to entry: The CO equivalent of a specific amount of a greenhouse gas is calculated as the mass of a
2
given greenhouse gas multiplied by its global warming potential.
Note 2 to entry: Results of the quantification of the CFP are documented in the CFP study report expressed in
mass of CO e per functional unit,
2
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 14067:2013, 3.1.1.1]
2.2
comprehensive carbon footprint of a product
carbon footprint of a product (2.1) that is product-specific and includes the carbon impacts for
every component and process in that product’s life cycle.
2.3
computer
device which performs logical operations and processes data
Note 1 to entry: Computers are composed of, at a minimum: (1) a central processing unit (CPU) to perform
operations; (2) user input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, digitizer or game controller; and (3) a computer
display screen to output information
[SOURCE: ENERGY STAR® Program Requirements for Computers]

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IEC TR 62921:2015 © IEC 2015 – 9 –
2.4
greenhouse gas emissions
GHG emissions
total mass of greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere over a specified period of time
[SOURCE: ISO 14064-1:2006, 2.5]
2.5
monitor
electronic device that displays a computer’s user interface and open programs
[SOURCE: ENERGY STAR® Program Requirements for Displays]
2.6
primary data
data collected from specific processes in the studied product’s life cycle
[SOURCE: GHG Protocol Product standard: 2011]
2.7
primary aggregated data
data that are collected directly from suppliers or industry associations on a product type (not
specific product) and aggregated
Note 1 to entry: This is an approach in which single components can be sourced from multiple suppliers each with
multiple facilities and multiple downstream suppliers. Primary data for every item is impossible.
2.8
product category rules
PCR
set of specific rules, requirements and guidelines for quantification and communication on the
carbon footprint of a product for a specific product category
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 14067:2013, 3.1.4.12, modified — deleted “for developing Type III
environmental declarations”]
2.9
secondary data
process data that are not from specific processes in the studied product’s life cycle
[SOURCE: GHG Protocol Product standard: 2011]
2.10
state-of-the-art
developed stage of technical capability at a given time as regards to
products, processes and services, based on the relevant consolidated findings of science,
technology and experience
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004, 1.4, modified — “” has been added
before the definition.]
2.11
streamlined carbon footprint of a product
carbon footprint of a product (2.1) that involves some level of simplification compared to a
comprehensive carbon footprint
Note 1 to entry: Typical approaches to streamlining a product carbon footprint calculation consist of simplifying
data collection and/or reducing the number of data inputs required.

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2.12
uncertainty analysis
systematic procedure to quantify the uncertainty introduced in the results of a life cycle
inventory analysis due to the cumulative effects of model imprecision, input uncertainty and
data variability
Note 1 to entry: Uncertainty information typically specifies quantitative estimates of the likely dispersion of values
and a qualitative description of the likely causes of the dispersion.
[SOURCE: ISO 14040:2006, 3.33]
3 Symbols and abbreviations
CFP carbon footprint of a product
DQI data quality inventory
DR distinction rate
EE product electrical and electronic product
EoL end-of-life
FS false signal rate
HDD hard disk drive
ICs integrated circuits
ICT information and communications technology
kg CO e kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent
2
kWh kilowatt per hour
LCD monitor liquid crystal display monitor
LCI life cycle inventory
LCIA life cycle impact assessment
LCT life cycle thinking
ODD optical disk drive
PAIA product attribute to impact algorithm
PCR product category rules
PSU power supply unit
PWB printed wiring board
SSD solid state drive
TEC typical energy consumption
VT validation team
4 Principles
4.1 Comparing streamlined CFP to comprehensive CFP
4.1.1 General
The carbon footprint of a product estimates the total potential contribution of a product to
global warming by quantifying all significant greenhouse gas emissions and removals over the
product's life cycle. Comprehensive CFPs are product-specific and include the carbon impacts
for every component and process in that product’s life cycle. A comprehensive CFP takes a
significant amount of resources, time, and data-demands to complete.
Given these challenges,
...