On November 2, 2023, the National Environmental Management Standardization Technical Committee (SAC/TC207) and the National Carbon Emission Management Standardization Technical Committee (SAC/TC548) issued a call for opinions on the national standard 'Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products — Requirements and guidelines for quantification (Draft for Comments).' The deadline for feedback is January 6, 2024.

This standard aims to support a series of carbon reduction policies, including, among others, the 'Action Plan for Carbon Peak by 2030,' the 'National Standardization Development Outline,' the 'Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Establishment of a Unified Specification for Carbon Emission Statistics and Accounting System,' and the 'Implementation Plan for Carbon Peak in Industrial Sectors.' These policies propose the development of carbon footprint standards and requirements for conducting carbon footprint accounting. This standard is also a means for China to enhance the international competitiveness of local enterprises and address international green trade barriers (such as carbon footprint-related entry requirements enacted by countries like Europe and the United States).

Currently, China has adopted several international carbon footprint standards like ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006, and has also formulated a few sector-specific and product-specific standards for products’ life cycle assessment. However, these standards lack coordination and unity. To address the problem, SAC/TC 207 proposed this standard project, which is based on 'ISO 14067:2018 Greenhouse gases - Carbon footprint of products - Requirements and guidelines for quantification', but has made the following changes. 

l  Added requirements for compiling product carbon footprint-product category rules, providing reference for the development of rules for specific product categories.

l  Added product carbon footprint calculation formulas and global warming potential (GWP) reference values in the product carbon footprint impact assessment, facilitating understanding of quantification methods.

l  Added a template for product carbon footprint research reports, providing reference for specific report compilation.

l  Added requirements for product carbon footprint declarations or information exchange, providing reference for self-declaration or third-party verification of product carbon footprints."