Part A

Part A has been updated in preparation for the ACLCA PCR Open Standard v2.0, currently in development. These updates ensure our program is fully aligned with the evolving North American PCR ecosystem and ready to efficiently incorporate the new version of the Open Standard. Key updates include:

  • Alignment with updated impact assessment methodologies: Part A incorporates the latest updates to TRACI and IPCC and introduces guidance for calculating biogenic carbon. Updates to the TRACI impact categories have also been reflected in the Sustainable Minds SM2026 Single Score Methodology, ensuring consistent interpretation of results across our suite of tools and services.
    Learn about SM Single Score results >

  • Improved product category guidance: Part A provides more specific rules for non-building product categories, including stronger differentiation between building products and non-building products along with defined requirements for LCI indicator reporting across all products.

  • Strengthened PCR development guidance: Experience gained through publishing PCRs conformant to the ACLCA PCR Open Standard surfaced several key PCR Committee discussion topics that improve PCR development. Topics added to Part B include:

    • Allocation approaches
    • Hazardous material regulation identification
    • Renewable energy treatment

Commitment to continuous improvement and governance

Consistent with Sustainable Minds’ commitment to transparency and continuous improvement, the ongoing development and maintenance of our technical program includes inviting interested stakeholders to comment on our Governance and Program Rules. We welcome your comments >

parta1 parta2

Part A v4.0 >

ACLCA PCR Open Standard v1.0 >

Part A + Part B = PCR

A verified SM Transparency Report is an ISO 14025:2006 conformant Type III environmental declaration which communicates verifiable, accurate and non-misleading environmental information for products and their applications.

Check the North American PCR Catalog for available PCRs to determine whether to create a new Part B or renew an expiring PCR using the SM Transparency Report [EPD]™ Framework.

About Part A

This document is based on several public standards and LCA best practices. It conforms to the ISO 14040:2006, 14044:2006, and ISO 14025:2006 standards, incorporates ISO 21930:2017 and the ACLCA PCR Open Standard v1.0, and builds on a vast experience and expertise in life cycle assessment and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) programs around the world. This is a living document with the intention of continuous improvement. Previous versions remain accessible: Part A v2023

The intended application is to provide a common structural set of general rules, requirements, and guidelines applicable to any product in order to ensure that all Type III environmental declarations based on the SM Transparency Report [EPD]™ Framework are derived, verified, and presented in a harmonized and consistent manner.

A Sustainable Minds Transparency Report [EPD]™ presents the summary of the LCA background report that includes quantified environmental information on the life cycle of a product in information modules. Modularity allows for an easy organization and expression of data packages throughout the life cycle of the product using consistent, reproducible, and comparable underlying data (in conformance to ISO 14025:2006 Clause 5.3).

How Part A works with Part B

A Transparency Report [EPD]™ for a product, or products, is created by applying the general rules of Part A together with the product-specific rules of Part B. A product group consists of products that compete for/deliver the same function or purpose. The aim is to enhance and better enable standardized, consistent, and meaningful results for products of the same product group (this also paves the way for industry-average EPDs and product benchmarks).

There are other 2-part PCR programs based on the same standards with general LCA rules in Part A and specific rules in Part B. The difference is the Sustainable Minds Part B. It encourages manufacturers to create a functional unit and rules for comparability for product groups vs. broad product categories.

Get started on Transparency Reports [EPDs]™ for your products!
Download the Part B request form >