Insights to put sustainability in action.

Major CPG brands are transforming procurement by making carbon data a mandatory requirement rather than a voluntary sustainability metric. Suppliers providing credible product carbon footprint (PCF) data secure preferred status and longer contracts, while those without face increased scrutiny.

Most supplier PCF submissions to CPG customers fail on first attempt, causing contract delays, financial losses, and damaged supplier relationships. Understanding CPG verification processes and avoiding five critical errors is essential for approval.

PCFs are becoming the key to unlocking sustainable pricing advantages that can transform profit margins. Early-adopter companies with credible, third-party verified emissions data are successfully negotiating price improvements while their competitors remain trapped in commodity pricing cycles.

Together for Sustainability (TfS) released version 3.0 of their Product Carbon Footprint Guidelines in December 2024, introducing eight changes to chemical industry PCF methodology. This article examines each change based on the official TfS documentation.