How do we estimate energy use we don't directly measure?

Use the product's own technical specification or energy label, which typically states rated annual or lifetime energy consumption, and multiply by units sold in the period.

Which regional electricity factor should we use for products sold into multiple markets?

Split units sold by destination market where possible, applying the matching regional electricity subtype to each market's share, rather than a single global average.

What's the difference between lifetime use and annual use?

Lifetime use covers the product's whole expected operating life in one figure; annual use is the yearly consumption, which you'd multiply by expected years of use to reach the same lifetime total - be consistent about which basis you're using.

Does this apply to products that don't consume energy in use?

No - if a product has no energy draw during use (for example, most furniture or textiles), this page doesn't apply; the relevant footprint sits in production and end-of-life stages instead.

How does this differ from end-of-life reporting for the same product?

This page covers energy consumed while the product is in use (Category 11); 'End of life of sold products' covers what happens after the customer disposes of it (Category 12) - two separate stages of the same product's downstream footprint.

Activity data·Sold products

How to measure emissions from Use of sold products

Use of sold products covers energy consumed by goods your organisation sells once they're in use by the customer - typically electricity draw over a product's expected lifetime or a standard annual period - reported under Scope 3 Category 11 in kWh. Because usage isn't directly metered, model this from product energy-use specifications and units sold, using the electricity subtype for the customer's market.

Scope: Scope 3 Category 11
What activity data you need: kWh
Activity data: Sold products

What counts as Use of sold products

Energy consumed by products the organisation manufactures and sells, once those products are in use by the end customer - most commonly electricity draw for energy-using goods over their expected lifetime or a standard annual use period. Reported in kWh, using a regional or national electricity factor matched to where the product is used.

Category 11, downstream of the sale: distinct from 'End of life of sold products' (Category 12, disposal) and from the organisation's own 'Electricity' page (Scope 2, the organisation's own consumption). Because the organisation doesn't directly meter customer usage, this is typically modelled from product energy-use specifications - for example, an appliance's rated annual consumption - combined with units sold and expected product lifetime, rather than measured activity by activity.

How to collect the data

Use product technical specifications or energy-label data for annual or lifetime energy use per unit, multiplied by units sold in the reporting period, using the electricity subtype matching the primary market or markets the product is sold into. Document the lifetime-use assumption - for example, years of expected use - alongside the activity data, since it materially affects the result.

What activity data you need

Collect the most specific physical unit available. Unit definitions are in Appendix I — Description of Units.

Which emission scope it falls under

Use of sold products activity data typically maps to Scope 3 Category 11 under the GHG Protocol. Confirm organisational boundary and ownership before reporting.

Scope 3 Category 11

By emission scope

Scope 3 Category 11

Compliance frameworks

Compliance & reporting frameworks

Common sub-types

Electricity: Africa (average)
Electricity: Latin America (average)
Electricity: Middle East (average)
Electricity: Non-OECD Europe and Eurasia (average)
Electricity: UK grid
Electricity: US: Average
Electricity: Australia
Electricity: Austria

Compare Your Footprint covers 64 options for this activity.

See the full list: Grid electricity factors by country and region (190) →

Common questions

How do we estimate energy use we don't directly measure?: Use the product's own technical specification or energy label, which typically states rated annual or lifetime energy consumption, and multiply by units sold in the period.
Which regional electricity factor should we use for products sold into multiple markets?: Split units sold by destination market where possible, applying the matching regional electricity subtype to each market's share, rather than a single global average.
What's the difference between lifetime use and annual use?: Lifetime use covers the product's whole expected operating life in one figure; annual use is the yearly consumption, which you'd multiply by expected years of use to reach the same lifetime total - be consistent about which basis you're using.
Does this apply to products that don't consume energy in use?: No - if a product has no energy draw during use (for example, most furniture or textiles), this page doesn't apply; the relevant footprint sits in production and end-of-life stages instead.
How does this differ from end-of-life reporting for the same product?: This page covers energy consumed while the product is in use (Category 11); 'End of life of sold products' covers what happens after the customer disposes of it (Category 12) - two separate stages of the same product's downstream footprint.

Next step

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Related in this cluster·Sold products