Freshfel Environmental Footprint Initiative
FreshProducePEFCR: 1st public consultation (2-30 April 2024)
The Technical Secretariat (TS) of the FreshProducePEFCR, which is developing technical rules for calculating the environmental footprint of fruits and vegetables as part of Freshfel´s Environmental Footprint Initiative, encouraged all sector representatives to provide their feedback on the first draft of the PEFCR document.
In light of EU environmental footprint accountability requirements as well as increasing transparency demands from the supply chain and consumers, there is a growing need for a standardized environmental footprint methodology for the fresh produce sector. Freshfel Europe and its members have embarked on the Environmental Footprint Initiative to develop together a fresh fruit and vegetable environmental footprint methodology (FreshProducePEFCR), database, and digital tool that are broadly accepted by the industry, stakeholders, and consumers. The objective of the Initiative, which is aligned with the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology as recommended by the EU, is to enhance the sector’s sustainability and maintain its competitiveness.
The goal of this public consultation was to ensure that different perspectives are considered in the development process. Sector experts and LCA-experts with sound expertise in the fruit and vegetable sector were especially encouraged to submit their feedback.
The Technical Secretariat provided to all interested stakeholders the links to download the documents and the Excel form to provide their feedback on the FreshProducePEFCR during the consultation period, which was open from 2 April 2024 until 30 April 2024.
Download the templates to provide your feedback to the first public consultation
The following files were provided for the first public consultation:
For comments:
1. First draft Fresh Produce PEFCR: 1_2024_FirstDraft_FreshProducePEFCR.pdf
2. Template to collect comments (in Excel): 2_Template_FeedbackPublic Consultation FreshProducePEFCR_yourname.xls
For information:
3. First PEF Representative Product report for Fruits Report: 3_2024_FirstDraft_RP Fruits.pdf
4. First PEF Representative Product report for Vegetables 4_2024_FirstDraft_RP Vegetables.pdf
5. Note for the attention of PEFCR public consultation commentators prepared by DG ENV: 5_good practices_public_consultation.pdf
6. Presentation from the 26/03/2024 webinar: 6_FreshProducePEFCR: calculating the environmental footprint of fresh fruits and vegetables
How to submit your feedback
The comments in the Excel file were to be submitted to FreshProducePEFCR@wur.nl by Monday, April 30, 2024 at 17:00 CEST. Please note that the consultation period is now closed.
Results
The TS received 129 total comments (between general, editorial, and technical feedback) from 90 unique responses during the public consultation period. The TS is reviewing the input received, and the process will be repeated with the second public consultation later this year.
Technical Secretariat FreshProducePEFCR :
Freshfel Europe (Chair)
Wageningen Economic Research (TS Support – Lead)
Dutch Fresh Produce Centre (GroentenFruit Huis)
Greenyard
Dole PLC
Blonk Sustainability (TS Support)
PRé Sustainability (TS Support)
