Established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Japan, the Domestic Committee for International Standardization of the Carbon Footprint System is an initiative that discusses which policy Japan should follow regarding development of an ISO standard for PCF.
Two study groups (SG) were launched by METI to support application and implementation of PCF:
1. SG for developing and promoting the Carbon Footprint System
2. SG for drawing up rules for calculating, labeling, and evaluating CO2 emissions
Key PCF Activities in Japan:
In January 2009 the first draft of a technical specification on PCF assessment and labeling (TS_Q0010) was published. A revision of this specification will be issued in early 2010. In April 2009 the 3-year National PCF Pilot Project was launched to endorse development of a verification scheme, a database, and Pilot Product Category Rules (PCR). So far, 41 items from different sectors, including food, packaging, electric devices, and so on, have been registered as part of the PCR Pilot Program. A committee consisting of academic experts, representatives from the industrial sector, and consumers has already certified four items.
The certified PCRs are: rice (Japonica Rice), canola oil, potato crisps, and washing powder.
In September 2009 the private sector-driven CFP Japan Forum was established to enhance cooperation between stakeholders, advocate low-carbon consumption, and to promote practical applications of PCF.
http://www.cfp-japan.jp/english/system/japan.html
Feb 2010