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PCF Software: How to Find the Right Tool for the Product Carbon Footprint

The new EU Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR) requires many companies to disclose the Product Carbon Footprint. One of the biggest obstacles when calculating greenhouse gas emissions: information gaps in the production or supply chain. An almost indispensable solution for this is PCF software. We explain how you can find the tool that best fits your product landscape!

  • ESG
  • Dieser Artikel wurde am 31. March 2026 aktualisiert.
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riven by ESPR, LCA requirements, the product passport, and growing customer and regulatory pressure, many companies are currently increasingly looking for PCF software to manage the CO2 footprint of their products efficiently, transparently, and digitally.

In this article, you’ll receive a comprehensive guide to selecting PCF software with tips and tricks from practice, so you can get started with the right tool and build excellent processes around the digital product passport, life cycle assessment, and ESPR.

In addition, we share with you our know-how from over 700 ESG matchings for SMEs and large enterprises as part of an individual software selection process, in which you efficiently gain an overview of the providers most relevant for you.

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PCF software overview

To the PCF software matching

What is the relationship between PCF, ESPR and the EU Taxonomy?

The EU Taxonomy sets clear guidelines for a company’s sustainably managed economic activities—particularly with regard to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and complying with certain CO2 thresholds. To verify whether these guidelines are being met, companies subject to the EU Taxonomy are required to prepare comprehensive reports in accordance with defined standards. Among other things, this is intended to disclose sustainability performance and the CO2 footprint and to confirm that companies are meeting their climate targets.

In this context, it’s not only a company’s overall CO2 footprint (Corporate Carbon Footprint, CCF) that matters. The emissions of the products sold are also a major factor in the greenhouse gas balance.

And that’s where the PCF comes in: With the PCF, you analyze the climate impact of your products across their entire life cycle—from raw material extraction to disposal. A transparent and as low as possible PCF is becoming increasingly important in order to meet ESPR requirements while also living up to your customers’ expectations.

The environmental and climate data provided through PCF reporting is therefore not only relevant for the Ecodesign Directive, but also for the disclosure obligations of the EU Taxonomy and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and is closely linked to them.

For the (continuous) determination of the Product Carbon Footprint, efficient data management is essential, and software (we enable provider matching for you in our PCF Matchassistant) is the foundation for this.

Übersicht Emissionsrichtlinien - PCF, LCA, Produktpass, ESPR & Co.
Die Richtlinien PCF, LCA, ESPR, Produktapss (DPP) etc. sind für das Reporting zu Treibhausgasemissionen relevant.

Which life cycle phases are relevant for PCF reporting?

Unlike the Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF), which refers to a company’s total emissions, the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) focuses on the direct and indirect amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by a product across all life cycle phases.

PCF-Faktoren

A complete PCF report must therefore include each of these phases. Only then can accurate, taxonomy-compliant data be collected and applied to a product’s CO2 footprint.

PCF reporting: Which products are affected?

Since 2005, the obligation to report on the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) has applied primarily to energy-intensive products such as light bulbs or household appliances—for example, refrigerators and washing machines. This regulation aims to minimize the environmental impacts arising from these products and to improve their energy efficiency.

In the future, however, a fundamental expansion of this obligation will come into force: the updated Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR) from July 2024 is intended to be extended to nearly all product types marketed within the EU. It does not matter whether the goods are manufactured in the EU, imported products, or items sold via online commerce. The aim of this change is to reduce products’ greenhouse gas emissions and conserve important raw materials.

The first product groups subject to the new PCF reporting requirement include:

Aufzählungszeichen PCF Software - Referenzen Aluminum and steel
Aufzählungszeichen PCFSoftware - Referenzen Chemicals (especially detergents and cleaning agents)
Aufzählungszeichen PCF Software - Referenzen Iron
Aufzählungszeichen PCF Software - Referenzen Furniture
Aufzählungszeichen PCF Software - Referenzen Textiles and shoes

However, there are exceptions: Vehicles as well as products in the areas of defense and security remain exempt from the PCF reporting requirement. Companies that market products of this kind are therefore not required to prepare PCF reporting.

A complete list of the products affected is continuously updated by the EU Commission.

From when are which companies required to disclose the PCF?

The EU Commission has already begun drafting individual directives for product groups such as textiles and steel. The first binding regulations of the Ecodesign Regulation, including specific minimum requirements for the climate and environmental compatibility of products, are expected to be introduced by the end of 2025. These regulations come with clear specifications for CO2 benchmark values, as well as for the documentation of the Product Carbon Footprint that companies must comply with.

For affected companies, after the new rules enter into force there will be a transition period of 18 months. This timeframe is intended to enable them to adapt to the new standards—for example by implementing measurement systems or qualified PCF software.

There is particularly good news for SMEs: They are exempt from some of the new PCF requirements. This reduces the regulatory burden for these companies. In addition, the EU Commission, together with the Member States, commits to supporting SMEs at various levels—whether financially, technically, or organizationally. This support may include, for example, subsidies, consulting, or training to make the transition and PCF reporting easier for SMEs. Large companies, on the other hand, are excluded from such relief and support measures, as a higher level of self-responsibility is expected of them.

Another key aspect of the updated Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR) concerns saving resources and preventing resource waste. For this reason, a ban on destroying unused but still functional products—such as shoes and certain textiles—is set to come into force. This ban will initially apply only to large companies, as they are considered to bear particular responsibility due to their market position. For the time being, SMEs are also exempt from this measure in order to give them sufficient time to prepare for such requirements.

What makes PCF software?

Creating PCF reporting gives companies the opportunity to carry out a comprehensive and transparent analysis of greenhouse gas emissions at the product level across the entire life cycle. Through this detailed recording and presentation of emissions, companies can not only better assess their own climate targets, but also demonstrate the extent to which their products comply with legal requirements and climate protection standards. Such reports are particularly important to ensure transparency towards stakeholders—including customers, investors, and regulatory authorities—and to strengthen trust in the company’s sustainability strategies.

High-quality PCF reporting should be as precise, consistent, and comprehensive as possible. It must consider all relevant aspects: the accurate collection of data, the calculation of specific emissions, as well as the analysis and interpretation of the results. These components are crucial to ensure that the reports are both meaningful and comparable within and across organizations.

In addition, PCF calculation requires accurate data from various departments within your company. Close coordination is essential so that everyone knows which data is needed and why. The following data sources, among others, are decisive: Product development provides bills of materials for the relevant products. Procurement supplies information on suppliers and materials. Controlling contributes routing-specific data and, together with the production department, provides details on the machines used.

Among the biggest challenges in PCF calculation are a lack of time and staff, the correct analysis and conversion of data, and missing or incomplete data sources. This can significantly complicate standards-compliant PCF reporting. To ensure it still succeeds as well as possible, it is recommended to use specialized PCF software that helps to overcome precisely these obstacles.

The key benefits of a PCF software module that you will benefit from include, among others:

Bullet point CSRD software - references  Reliable data collection
A qualified PCF software solution is able to consolidate and manage data from the various sources mentioned above. Integrated algorithms minimize the potential for errors that can arise from manual data collection. In addition, information and data gaps in the production and supply chain can be closed automatically. To simplify data collection, many PCF tools are able to connect to existing ERP systems and automatically store and analyze the data obtained from them.

Bullet point CSRD software - references  Automated conversion of all greenhouse gas emissions into CO2 equivalents (CO2e)
To enable clear comparison of emission values, PCF tools offer the function of converting all calculation results for different greenhouse gases into standardized CO2 equivalents (CO2e). This creates a common denominator that simplifies analysis and increases the comparability of the data.

Bullet point CSRD software - references  Transparent visualization
PCF software transparently visualizes all relevant factors (for example, increased CO2 emissions due to an inefficient supply chain) and can show which phase in a product’s life cycle causes the highest greenhouse gas emissions. This provides companies with detailed insight into where emissions need to be reduced in order to comply with legally defined climate regulations.

Bullet point CSRD software - references  Reporting in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines
PCF tools are built on applicable standards. This enables uncomplicated reporting in line with standards such as the GHG (Greenhouse Gas Protocol) or ISO 14067. Qualified software providers also ensure that they update their PCF software if new regulations come into force.

The goal of PCF software is to reliably and accurately calculate, based on the collected data, what the Product Carbon Footprint of a product actually is. Such a software solution also enables efficient and standardized data collection, automated emissions calculations, and a clear visualization of the results. In addition, PCF tools can take industry-specific requirements into account and help you adapt to new legal requirements.

Using a PCF tool for reporting is not legally mandatory. Nevertheless, specialized PCF software makes a significant contribution to producing qualified, standards-compliant reporting and reducing the additional effort required. It can also use the data obtained to effectively show where a company needs to optimize work processes.

PCF software comparison: finding the right providers

PCF reporting is becoming increasingly important. To get started efficiently with PCF reporting, it’s important to focus right away on the PCF tool providers that fit you best. But how do you find the right PCF software provider? At Matchilla, we take care of that for you!

Since 2022, we have been screening providers and tools in the field of ESG and sustainability. In our database, we maintain the sustainability software and tool providers relevant to the German-speaking market and research hard and soft factors—for example available functions, languages offered, interfaces between tools, the scope of support provided, and much more.

You can now benefit from our market overview and our expertise from over 700 ESG software comparisons conducted as part of our matchings (for SMEs and large enterprises) for your own PCF software selection. We are happy to support you with the requirements catalog, a structured provider comparison, and all the way through to the final provider selection with our insights.

Thanks to this unique data pool and the information available to us, we compare software providers and tools across all essential and relevant criteria to find the PCF tool that best fits you.

And this is how the provider comparison works—so simple: You invest a few minutes in filling out the PCF Match Assistant and we individually match the most suitable PCF software providers for you in a shortlist—the so-called Matchboard. This comparison is free of charge for you, non-binding, and anonymous vis-à-vis the providers (you can find more information in the FAQs further down).

Would you like to find out which provider can best support you with your PCF reporting? Find out via our Match Assistant!

PCF software provider matching

Providers in matching: 45

  • Letztes Update am 31. March 2026
Christian Batz - Kundenstimme Matchilla
Christian Batz VP Digital, igus AG


Matchilla’s approach is brilliant: I no longer have to painstakingly research consultancies and software providers and fight my way through countless comparison portals – the right providers come to me, so to speak – with just a few minutes of effort. The matching process saves us a lot of resources.

Heiko Stotzel.jpg
Heiko Stötzel Global Head Social Responsibility, SSI Schäfer


Finding suitable ESG service providers via Matchilla is easy and super fast. Getting in touch, defining specifications, and after just a few days the results were there. This way, we got information on providers we hadn’t even heard of before. Real added value.

Alexander Barion Fidelity Marketing 100x100px
Alexander Barion Head of Marketing CE, Fidelity International


With Matchilla, we can easily open ourselves up to ideas from new service providers who were previously outside our radar. Our search criteria are matched with a database, but the final suggestions are in the hands of the Matchilla team. The result: high quality and strong service!

Frequently asked questions about PCF software matching

Why should you use Matchilla to select a PCF tool?

The market offering and the number of providers of PCF software solutions have increased significantly in recent months. The research into the options as well as the selection process are complex and complicated.

We have already successfully carried out the structured matching process you go through with us for over 700 companies (mid-sized businesses and corporations). Through our daily, personal conversations with providers and those searching, we have what is probably the best-maintained database of ESG service providers in the German-speaking region.

With this market overview and our personal expertise from the many customer conversations—where we have probably already seen every constellation involving PCF, PEF, CCF, ESPR, LCA, product passport & co.—we provide individual recommendations that save you lengthy research work and guide you to the right provider in a structured process.

How much does it cost to create an individual matchboard with a selection of potential PCF software providers?

Matchilla’s service is free of charge, non-binding, and anonymized vis-à-vis the providers. The individual assessment as well as the provision of extensive background information to help you select the best PCF tool for you is financed through the service providers’ platform fees. In general, we have no paid contractual relationship with you, and you can end the matching at any time.

How do I start the matching and what information is required?

Simply start by filling out the Match Assistant. This gives us an initial insight into your requirements. We will contact you personally if further specifications are needed. This allows us to refine the selection criteria and include additional individual factors alongside the standard data in the matching. From the aggregated information, we create the matchboard on our platform with the PCF tool providers most relevant to you.

How can I be sure that Matchilla selects competent software providers for our PCF reporting?

Our selection process is based on an efficient interaction of data, algorithms and a healthy dose of personal expertise. No matchboard is released without one of our ESG experts adding their input.

Think of Matchilla as a neutral sparring partner in this selection process. We want your company to use the services of the Matchilla platform for many more searches for service providers in the future. That’s why we’re strongly interested in ensuring that you not only access an excellent procurement process, but also ALWAYS find the best possible providers through us.

Try it/us out with no obligation:
We’re looking forward to matching with you!

To the PCF software matching
Picture of Expert in PCF, LCA & Product Passport
Expert in PCF, LCA & Product Passport

Ulli Theves is Head of ESG Matching at Matchilla and an expert in technical solutions and consulting in the field of sustainability. In the MatchZINE, he shares his expertise and regularly publishes news and useful insights from practice.

CSRD, Lieferketten, EUDR, ESPR, PPWR, CBAM & Co. sind Themen, die alle Unternehmen betreffen. Wir teilen im MatchZINE unser geballtes Wissen aus über 700 Matchings für Mittelständler und Konzerne.

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