20 August 2025
As climate ambition increases, companies require transparent, consistent, and trustworthy data to demonstrate their commitment and satisfy rising demands from regulators, customers, and financiers. This is where ISCC Carbon Footprint Certification (ISCC CFC) comes in, a voluntary certification system for Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) that is currently unique on the market.
Anticipating the Next Phase of Climate Accountability
The certification approach was developed in collaboration with our sister company, sustainability consultancy Meo Carbon Solutions. In 2023, Meo Carbon Solutions initiated the concept after identifying the market need for a certification system for PCFs that supports standardisation, comparability, transparency, and long-term decarbonisation strategies.
ISCC CFC addresses this requirement by providing a reliable, certifiable method for PCF calculation. Designed for the future, it is also able to combine mass balance and life-cycle assessment (LCA) approaches and works with market-based systems. This makes it suitable for companies that handle material traceability and emissions data across various products, sectors, or feedstocks.
The ISCC Carbon Footprint Certification (CFC) is a voluntary certification scheme that verifies the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to a product. It focuses on a product’s impact on climate change, referring to the Global Warming Potential (GWP) in grams, kilograms or tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
The Growing Importance of Standardised and Verified Carbon Footprints
We are entering a new era of climate accountability. Whether it’s preparing for CBAM (the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), achieving net-zero targets, or responding to market pressure from downstream brands and financiers, standardised, verified and comparable PCF data is becoming a critical business asset.
ISCC CFC offers companies a solution: a system that works today and is built with tomorrow’s requirements in mind. But why a new certification scheme, when ISO norms, Together for Sustainability (TfS), and other approaches exist?
Translating Standards into a Standardised Certifiable Practice
ISO norms like 14067 provide a scientifically sound basis for calculating PCFs. However, their flexibility often leads to wide variation in assumptions, which limits comparability between companies. TfS has advanced PCF work in the chemical sector, but it is sector-specific and not connected to certification or auditing.
ISCC CFC builds on these foundations while addressing their limitations. By setting defined calculation principles and narrowing key methodological choices, the system ensures greater transparency, consistency, and third-party verifiability – without losing alignment with established standards. The result is a certifiable approach that translates scientific credibility into real-world applicability. Methodological system documents with clear assessment guidelines and audit procedures that guide external, third-party auditors through a standardised questionnaire enable increasing comparability.
The Status Quo and What’s to Come
So far, 10 ISCC CFC certificates have been issued, and the system continues to evolve. The current version of the ISCC CFC System Document (v1.3) focuses on PCF calculation rules, emission factors, and audit procedures. Version 1.4, expected in Q4/2025 this year, will expand on further topics such as combining PCF and mass balance, renewable energy and recycling, biogenic carbon and end-of-life treatment, and enhanced ISCC PLUS integration.
Want to get involved early?
Join our CFC Webinar
On 3 September 2025 (14:00– 15:00), you will learn more about CFC approaches, focusing on the bioeconomy and circular economy, Product Carbon Footprints (PCF) and guidance on eligible claims.
Participate in the CFC Training
On 28 October, we will host a dedicated training course for all interested parties that want to gain a clear understanding of the ISCC CFC approach and its guiding principles.
Stay tuned for a mini-series on ISCC CFC, where we’ll explore how the system works, what makes it unique, and our upcoming development plans!