Water Footprint

Certimac calculates the Water Footprint of products and organizations to support your competitiveness

find out how we work
What is the Water Footprint?
The Water Footprint (WFP) is a methodology for quantifying the water use and associated impacts of products, processes, and organizations. This method evaluates both the quantity and the quality of water used, also measuring the potential environmental impacts.

The WFP analysis is regulated by the UNI EN ISO 14046 standard "Environmental management – Water footprint", which defines the principles, requirements, and guidelines for assessing the WFP of products, processes, and organizations. It follows the four typical phases of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment, and interpretation.

WFP helps organizations understand and reduce water consumption, promoting more sustainable management of an increasingly critical resource.
Benefits of the Water Footprint for businesses
Assessing the water footprint is now a key lever for corporate sustainability and competitiveness, especially considering the global trend of increasing water scarcity and the issues of overexploitation and pollution of aquifers in the Italian context.

A corporate water footprint study represents a concrete opportunity to initiate innovation, efficiency, and sustainability processes within the organization:
  • Reduce operational costs by using less water and increasing production process efficiency
  • Improve discharge quality and reduce the overall environmental impact
  • Strengthen risk management, by integrating water as a strategic variable in decision-making processes
  • Gain greater control over the supply chain, with improved monitoring and influence on suppliers
  • Enhance ESG strategy, thanks to:

    • - environmental reporting supported by verifiable data

    - improved ESG ratings, helpful for attracting responsible investors
    - easier access to sustainable finance instruments
  • Differentiate in the market and gain a competitive edge through transparency on impact reduction results
    • Today, the Water Footprint approach is increasingly required in public tenders, sustainable finance pathways, and dialogue with international supply chains.

    For companies, it is a concrete opportunity to actively contribute to the ecological transition while boosting competitiveness and reputation.
    Who benefits from Water Footprint assessment?
    Water Footprint certification is particularly useful for organizations that use significant amounts of water in their processes and aim to strengthen their commitment to environmental sustainability.

    WFP certification is especially strategic for water-intensive sectors such as agri-food, chemical-pharmaceutical, energy, manufacturing, and textiles. It allows for monitoring, optimizing, and reducing the environmental impacts of water consumption, ultimately improving overall water resource management and bringing benefits in ESG, cost reduction, and market access.
    What does the process involve?
    Water Footprint assessment and certification require a structured methodological approach that includes:

    1. Goal and scope definition
    Define the purpose of the analysis, system boundaries, functional units, and reference criteria following the LCA approach.

    2. Data collection
    Build a detailed inventory of incoming and outgoing water flows, including both company-specific and upstream/downstream supply chain data.

    3. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
    Develop the product, process, or organization’s life cycle study, considering blue, green, and grey water footprints and their local and global environmental impacts

    4. Result interpretation
    Analyze the processed data to identify the main sources of impact and opportunities for improving water resource management.

    5. Documentation and validation
    Draft a comprehensive technical report in line with ISO 14046 requirements, and initiate third-party certification if required.

    6. Impact mitigation plan
    Based on the findings, develop operational strategies to progressively reduce the water footprint and optimize resource use throughout the value chain.
    Our services for Water Footprint assessment and certification
    Certimac offers comprehensive and tailored consulting support for public and private organizations in assessing and certifying the Water Footprint of products and organizations.

    We manage all phases of the process to implement and certify the Product Water Footprint according to ISO 14046.

    Our services include
  • Goal and scope definition
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Development and implementation of life cycle studies using environmental modelling tools aligned with ISO standards, ensuring rigorous and transparent result evaluation
  • Results interpretation: identification of critical areas and reduction strategies
  • Drafting of detailed technical reports that can undergo third-party critical review
  • Support until conformity assessment or third-party certification is obtained
  • Development of an impact reduction plan, implementation of improvement strategies, and verified environmental communication
    • Water Footprint evaluation is also a strategic complement to LCA and Carbon Footprint studies, contributing to an integrated view of environmental performance across products, processes, and organizations.
    Area
    sustainability
    Ask our expert
    Dott. Filippo Baioli
    Expert in environmental sustainability, LCA, CFP, EPD

    How we work

    Certimac’s environmental sustainability experts provide comprehensive and personalized support for organizations pursuing Water Footprint evaluation and certification, applying a rigorous and validated methodology.

    Discover the 5 steps of our approach:
    The first step is to establish the objectives of the Water Footprint assessment and define the scope. This includes selecting what will be analyzed (e.g., a specific product or the entire organization) and setting temporal and geographical boundaries. This ensures relevant outcomes aligned with strategic goals.
    We systematically acquire data on water withdrawals, discharges, quality parameters, and geographical localization of processes, with attention to data quality and representativeness across the entire value chain. Data collection is conducted in close collaboration with the company.
    Collected data is processed to quantify the water footprint (blue, green, grey components) and assess the related environmental impacts. This phase includes life cycle analysis and the use of advanced environmental modelling software, ensuring alignment with ISO standards and transparent evaluation. Significant aspects are identified and strategic optimization recommendations are developed.
    We deliver a detailed technical report and a statement certifying the methodological correctness of the assessment, suitable for third-party critical review. We assist organizations throughout the certification process and manage relations with the certifying body.
    We provide support in implementing improvement strategies and verified environmental communication, and in developing a water footprint impact reduction plan.

    Why choose us?

    With absolute independence, impartiality, and technical expertise, Certimac – a Research Organization founded and supported by ENEA and CNR – offers a specialized approach to Water Footprint assessment through its Sustainability Area.

    Our experts in environmental analysis rigorously apply international standards, ensuring reliable results that comply with the latest regulations. Thanks to our extensive experience in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the methodology underlying the Water Footprint, we offer a comprehensive service that goes beyond simple measurement.

    Our multidisciplinary team brings together expertise in environmental engineering, chemistry, materials science, and circular economy, enabling an integrated view of water-related challenges. Our added value lies in the synergy between our Sustainability, Energy, and Materials Areas, which allows us to merge environmental analysis with technical and engineering insights.

    Choosing Certimac means relying on a qualified partner capable of turning the complexity of the Water Footprint methodology into strategic opportunities. We support companies not only in assessment but also in accessing funding for sustainable innovation and improving market positioning in increasingly sustainability-oriented sectors.
    Assessing your Water Footprint today means not only contributing to the SDGs (especially Goal 6 of the 2030 Agenda), but also strengthening corporate resilience, reducing risks, and positioning as a conscious actor in the transition toward a more sustainable economy.

    Discover Certimac's other services dedicated to sustainability

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