News

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has denied claims that the Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2050 carbon footprint standard has been delayed.

Professor Roland Clift from the Centre for Environmental Strategy at the University of Surrey made the claims at the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association (BAMA) lunch this week (11 June).

The standard will measure the complete product lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, including in the use phase by consumers.

The aim of the standard is to provide consumers with a greater understanding of products' carbon footprint when they make purchasing decisions and use products.

Clift told delegates that issues surrounding the calculation of the carbon footprint of the end of life of a product were preventing a final decision being made on the standard.

He urged the aerosol manufacturing industry delegates to get involved in the PAS 2050 discussions and to "make sure that it gets done in a way that is correct and fair".

However, Defra spokesman Jonathon Farr said that things were on track for PAS 2050 to be launched in September.

Farr said it was in final discussions about the standard and added that the 'door is closed' for any major changes at this stage of the process.

PAS 2050 is being developed by BSI British Standards, the Carbon Trust and Defra.

The labels have already started appearing on packaging, including packs used by Tesco.