CIC energiGUNE, a leading Basque research center in electrochemical energy storage and conversion and thermal energy storage and conversion, has taken a further step in its consolidation as a reference agent in technological sustainability after actively participating in the development of the new Product Category Rule (PCR) for "Electronic and electrical equipment and electrical components", promoted by the leading certification body "The International EPD System". This Rule is the first PCR to be published under the new environmental criteria and must be applied by manufacturers interested in obtaining the Environmental Product Declaration for their devices..

"The publication of this PCR is fundamental for the battery industry because it allows, through standardization, to promote key aspects such as the recyclability of devices, the optimization of their life cycle, or innovation in clean technologies in a credible and transparent way", said Andrea Casas, head of sustainability at CIC energiGUNE, who has actively participated in the development of this Rule.

The main objective of this PCR -the first to be released in the process of adapting the Product Category Rule that the certifying company is carrying out- is to define the rules, requirements and methodology to assess the environmental performance of electronic and electrical equipment throughout its life cycle. In this sense, the participation of CIC energiGUNE positions the Basque center as a reference entity for the battery industry, since -in addition to knowing in detail the required sustainability criteria- it has directly contributed to the management of critical aspects of batteries (materials, recyclability, waste...) applying the Sustainability Objectives promoted in CIC energiGUNE.