Scope 3.11 - Usage Phase of sold Products

Why Scope 3.11 "Use of Sold Products" Matters

Your climate action journey does not end at the point of sale—it’s only just beginning.

These emissions can be a distinct and often substantial part of your value chain footprint, especially for products that consume energy or generate emissions in their normal operation (such as vehicles, electronics, appliances, fuels, and more).

By embracing responsibility for how your products are ultimately used, you are demonstrating real integrity and compassion—acknowledging the wider societal impacts of your offerings. This guidance gives you the opportunity to act collaboratively alongside your end-users, innovating for more sustainable, high-quality solutions that can drive impressive, positive change well beyond your company’s walls.

What’s Included in Scope 3.11?

Scope 3.11 refers to emissions that result from the use of products you sell throughout their expected lifetime, except where such emissions are already included in Scope 1 or 2 inventories. For many industries, this is the single largest source of value chain emissions—making engagement and transparency especially powerful.

Examples:

• Fuel sold or distributed, and the CO₂ emitted when combusted by end users (gasoline, heating oil, natural gas).
• Cars, trucks, buses, or appliances sold and their electricity or fuel consumption over their usable life.
• Electronics (computers, phones) and average annual energy consumption while in use.
• Chemical products whose use results in direct emissions (refrigerants, solvents, fertilizers).
• Any product whose typical operation leads directly to GHG emissions over its in-use phase.

Not Included:

• Emissions from processing your intermediate products (see Scope 3.10).
• Emissions from transporting your sold products to the customer (see Scope 3.9).
• End-of-life treatment (see Scope 3.12).
• Products that do not generate significant GHG emissions in use (e.g., non-energy-consuming goods like furniture, clothing; for these, Scope 3.11 may be negligible).

What Data Do You Need?

We understand that data collection for the use phase can be challenging and often relies on assumptions about your customers’ behaviors and average use patterns. The following hierarchy helps you move forward and improve quality over time:

1. Product & customer-specific use-phase data (Highest quality)

• Real-world usage data from customers (if available), such as energy consumption logs, duration, and usage frequency.
• Collaboration with key clients to gather empirical evidence on product use.

2. Standard use profiles and assumptions (Medium quality)

• Industry standards, testing results, or regulatory assumptions (e.g., average vehicle lifetime mileage, appliance annual energy use).
• Manufacturer/supplier-provided data, such as labels on energy efficiency (EcoDesign, ENERGY STAR).
• Assumptions on typical product lifespans, usage rates, and regions.

3. Generic or modeled use-phase estimates (Basic quality)

• Publicly available research, life-cycle assessments (LCA), or sector studies providing average use-phase emissions per unit.
• Default emission factors (e.g., DEFRA, EPA, Ecoinvent).

What to remember: Always state clearly which assumptions and data quality tiers you rely on. Each year, seek ways to boost accuracy—progress over perfection!

What Should You Watch Out For?

• Boundary clarity: Include only the emissions during typical product use—exclude manufacturing/processing (Scope 1/2 or 3.10) and end-of-life/disposal (3.12).
• Usage profiles: Be transparent about assumptions for average product lifespan, user behavior, geographic distribution, and efficiency ratings.
• Double-counting: Avoid overlap with other Scope 3 categories; for fuels, ensure you do not count both energy content and energy use emissions.
• Allocation: For products with multiple components or uses, allocate emissions appropriately—based on function, mass, or value share.
• Data communication: Some customers or industries may hesitate to share usage data. Approach such partnerships with empathy and seek to build rapport over time.

Example of Data Needed

Summing Up: Checklist for Scope 3.11

• List all products sold that result in emissions when used.
• Determine typical use scenarios, product lifespans, and likely usage data/assumptions.
• Use best-available data sources (customer, industry, generic).
• Allocate and document emissions transparently.
• Report results honestly and include plans for ongoing improvement and engagement.