What is your role at Systembolaget?
–I’m the sustainability specialist for climate calculations, responsible for analysing and validating PCF data together with CarbonCloud.
What are your areas of data expertise?
–Climate calculations, LCA and PCF methods. LCA, Life Cycle Assessment, is the method used to calculate a product’s environmental impact across its life cycle. It provides the rules and boundaries that make PCF calculations consistent and comparable.
Can you tell us what happens to all the data reported into the CarbonCloud platform? Who can see what, and at what level of detail?
–When you report data, you remain the owner. CarbonCloud only receives a limited licence to use it for generating your results and aggregated analyses.
Your activity data is never visible to anyone unless you choose to share it. Detailed activity data — ingredients, energy, transport, farm activities — is not shared. Your direct customer only sees general product information, such as product name and production location. Downstream partners only receive the calculated metrics: CO₂, land use, water use and carbon removals.
This protects sensitive operational data while still allowing climate metrics to move through the value chain.
What do you actually mean by “data quality” in a PCF? And why is quality talked about separately from the PCF value itself?
–Data quality refers to how reliable the inputs behind a PCF are — emission factors, activity data, and the calculation methods and assumptions used. Each carries uncertainty, so understanding quality is essential.
Quality depends on relevance and timeliness, whether inputs are generic or site‑specific, consistency in methods and boundaries, and completeness, including the Primary Data Share. Because these factors affect how trustworthy a PCF is, we assess data quality separately to ensure results are interpreted and used correctly.
How is data quality assessed in practice? Which checks happen automatically in the platform, and which are done manually?
–We use both automated checks and manual expert review. The platform validates inputs as you enter them, flags errors, and prevents unrealistic values. It also shows the Primary Data Share so suppliers can see how much of the PCF is based on primary versus default data.
Beyond that, Systembolaget and CarbonCloud are developing the Primary Data Accuracy process. The system highlights data points that may need review across cultivation, production, packaging and transport. If something is flagged, suppliers may be asked to correct or confirm it with documentation.
We also plan to introduce third‑party audits as an additional layer of trust. If selected, suppliers may need to provide supporting documentation, handled transparently and with respect for confidentiality.
Will Systembolaget use PCF as a steering or ranking‑influencing parameter before the data‑quality processes and quality assurance are fully in place?
–No. PCF will not be used in steering or ranking until the full quality‑assurance framework is established. In this early phase, the values are used for learning and method development. Any future use will only happen once governance, transparency and quality assurance are in place — and suppliers have had the chance to review and improve their data.
Is there a “best‑before date” on reported activity data, or is it better to start reporting early?
–It’s always beneficial to start early. It helps suppliers understand the process and their own data flows.
At the same time, activity data reflects a specific reporting period. As methods mature, there may be expectations to update data regularly so PCFs remain accurate. Systembolaget is still defining update requirements, and these will be communicated clearly once final.”
What do you think is most important to understand about the upcoming Ranking Simulation? What is the purpose — and what is it not?
–The simulation is a learning tool, not a formal assessment. It shows suppliers how their products would rank if PCF were applied today and highlights the value of engaging in the work. Reporting primary data can influence results, and improvements in PCF can translate into better ranking outcomes.
It is not intended to expose or penalise products with higher PCFs. To avoid that, we only use primary‑data PCFs when they are lower than the corresponding secondary‑data value.
It is not intended to expose or penalise products with higher PCFs. To avoid that, we only use primary‑data PCFs when they are lower than the corresponding secondary‑data value.”
How will you ensure that future comparisons and rankings are objective, consistent, and transparent — especially when data quality varies between products?
–Fairness starts with products competing within the same segment. Our data‑quality assurance processes will continue to develop as we learn from the first reporting round, and the ranking simulation is part of that step‑by‑step approach.
Systembolaget also plans to introduce third‑party audits to strengthen trust. If selected, suppliers may be asked for supporting documentation, handled transparently and with respect for confidentiality.
Any final words of encouragement?
–This work is a shared journey. Every step forward brings new insights and new opportunities to improve.