PCF and CCF: Updates to predefined emission factors

When creating a new report, the following updates to predefined emission factors have been implemented and are available in Emission factor version 21 (CCF) and version 4 (PCF ISO 14067):

• DEFRA emission factors have been updated to the latest available values for 2026
• The activity District heating mix Germany (fossil) has been updated to the latest available value for 2024
• Ecoinvent is no longer included as a predefined emission factor source. The changes are as follows:
  • Activities removed: Tea dried; wooden pallet; printer; and hazardous waste. No sufficiently suitable replacement factors were identified for these activities.
  • Activities replaced with similar UBA factors: Drinking water and wastewater. These factors serve as alternatives for the corresponding activities, but should not automatically be considered methodologically identical to the former ecoinvent factors.
  • Activities replaced with DEFRA factors: Residual/household waste, paper/cardboard waste, organic waste, glass waste, electronic waste, and plastic waste.
    

    
    The replacement DEFRA waste factors may differ significantly from the former ecoinvent factors in terms of system boundaries, included life cycle stages, and the allocation of emissions from waste treatment, recycling, and energy recovery. DEFRA's waste disposal factors are generally designed for corporate Scope 3 reporting and, with the exception of landfill, primarily cover waste collection and transport to the first treatment or disposal point. They do not represent the full environmental impact of the different waste management options. Source: UK Government, 2026 GHG Conversion Factors Methodology.

    Users should therefore check the applicable system boundaries, waste treatment route, factor unit, and allocation rules before using these factors in a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) or Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF). The replacement factors should not be assumed to be directly comparable with the former ecoinvent factors. 

    Where comparability with previous reporting periods is required, users should document the change in emission factor source and assess whether recalculation or adjustments are necessary.

• CCF specific: Number of postal items (letters) and Number of parcels are now also available in category 3.4 Upstream Transportation
• CCF specific: BAFA emission factors have been updated to the latest available values for 2026