"CET Product Category Rules for ceramic tiles" by Victoria Zaera, ASCER. Presentation made at the Construction conference organised by Cerame-Unie on 26 November as part of the Ceramic Days 2013.

1. CET Product Category Rules for
ceramic tiles
Victoria Zaera, CET
26 November 2013

2. Background
• Ceramic tiles travel worldwide
• Numerous labels, green marks and
environmental certifications on the market
CONFUSION
TRADE
BARRIERS

3. Why using EPDs?
• Voluntary communication tool to declare the environmental impacts of products
• Life cycle assessment approach
• Allows comparison at building level
• Some markets are requesting EPDs
• Input for Green Building Rating Schemes

4. PCR for ceramic tiles
• Lack of a harmonized PCRs for ceramic tiles was
identified in 2012
• CET PCR is being developed in accordance with
EN 15804 developed in CEN/TC 350
• Future EPDs of ceramic tiles developed at
national level will be based on a common LCA
approach and similar assumptions

5. PCR for ceramic tiles – General points
General
points
• PCR is being developed by the CET Environment WG
• Existing PCR taken into account
• First meeting: 8 November 2012
• Current status: third draft PCR
• PCR is expected to be finalized in the beginning of 2014

6. PCR for ceramic tiles – General points
• Product category: ceramic tiles coverings for flooring and/or wall and
façade cladding, both indoors and outdoors, including mosaics and
decorative pieces.
• Ceramic tile definition (EN 14411:2012): Tiles made from clays and/or
other inorganic raw materials
• Valid for 5 years
• Functional unit: 1 m2 of ceramic tile for covering walls and floors for a
period of 50 years information on average weight
• Reference service life (RSL): 50 years

7. PCR for ceramic tiles – General points
• System boundaries:
PCR ceramic tiles cover
1. EPD Cradle-to-gate
3. EPD Cradle-to-grave

8. PCR for ceramic tiles – system boundaries

9. PCR for ceramic tiles – Production process example
• Example of a cradle-to-gate
ceramic tile process flow
diagram

10. PCR for ceramic tiles – default scenarios
Transport to the building site scenario (module A4):
• National, Europe and international average distances to calculate default scenarios
• Truck and transoceanic freight ship

11. PCR for ceramic tiles – default scenarios
Installation into the building scenario (module A5):
• Ancillary materials considered (mortar, water, dispersion glue, polysulfide)
• Packaging waste scenarios
Installation
Mortar Water
Cement-based
adhesives
Small format
tile
Medium
format tile
Large format
tile
Packaging waste
Cardboard
Wood pallets
Plastic film

12. PCR for ceramic tiles – default scenarios
Use stage scenario (module B1, B3, B5, B6 and B7):
• Generates very low environmental impacts and therefore neglected
Maintenance scenario (module B2):
• Scenarios for maintaining ceramic floor/wall tiles (detergent and water)
residential commercial healthcare

13. PCR for ceramic tiles – default scenarios
End-of-life scenario (module C):
1. National scenarios for the end-of-life stage
2. European default end-of-life scenario
• Examples of national end-of-life scenarios (Germany
and UK) used in the PCR

14. PCR for ceramic tiles – module D
Module D: Example
• After the demolition stage, ceramic tiles are crushed (recycling process) towards raw
material for another application: roadwork and concrete aggregates

15. CET Product Category Rules for
ceramic tiles
Victoria Zaera, victoriazaera@ascer.es
26 November 2013
Thank you for your attention!