Cheese, fresh or processed, n.e.c.

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR applies only to a cheese product for which an auditable classification decision places the product in CPC Version 3.0 subclass 22259. CPC 22259 is the residual animal-species subclass for fresh or processed cheese made from milk of animals other than cattle, buffalo, sheep, or goats. It can include fresh cheese, whey cheese and curd, grated or powdered cheese, processed cheese, blue-veined cheese, and other cheese only after the species gate below is passed. The generic Tiangong flow name Cheese identifies a database flow; it does not establish that every cheese belongs to this PCR.

The following is a hard applicability gate:

1. A product classifiable as cheese from cattle milk (CPC 22251), buffalo milk (CPC 22252), sheep milk (CPC 22253), or goat milk (CPC 22254) shall not use this PCR.
2. The dataset shall identify every milk-producing animal species represented in the milk, dairy ingredients, or cheese feedstocks that determine the product's cheese identity.
3. A mixed-species product, or a product from another animal species, may use this PCR only when the data package retains an auditable CPC classification basis that explicitly supports CPC 22259 for the product. A trade name, the word “cheese”, or the generic Tiangong flow is not sufficient evidence.
4. When the evidence does not establish CPC 22259, classification is manual_review and this PCR shall not be selected until a competent reviewer records the classification decision.

The concrete data package shall declare the product state as fresh/unripened, ripened, mould-ripened, or processed; whether it is sold, preserved, or ripened in brine; whether free brine is included in commercial net content; all characterizing non-milk ingredients and processing additions; product form such as whole, portioned, sliced, grated, or powdered; and the packaging configuration at the declared factory gate. CXS 221-2001 is used only for the fresh/unripened branch. CXS 283-1978 is used only for products within its cheese definition. No Codex composition or quality provision is converted into a universal LCI yield, recipe, or input amount, and no uniform processed-cheese formula is inferred from those standards.

This PCR covers foreground operations from receipt of milk, dairy ingredients, or cheese feedstocks at the manufacturing site through production, applicable ripening or brining, processing, finishing, on-site cold storage, and the declared packaged or unpackaged factory-gate product. Upstream milk production, production of purchased ingredients and packaging, inbound and outbound transport, retail, consumer use, and end-of-life are represented by separate datasets when included in the study, not by invented foreground values in this PCR.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.food-products-beverages-and-tobacco-textiles-apparel-and-leather-products.dairy-products-and-egg-products.cheese-fresh-or-processed-n-e-c
classification_refs	CPC 3.0: 22259, Cheese, fresh or processed, n.e.c. (exact semantic scope; accepted mapping evidence is separate)
covered_products	Fresh/unripened, ripened, mould-ripened, whey, curd, grated, powdered, or processed cheese whose auditable classification basis places the product in CPC 22259 after the animal-species gate is passed
excluded_products	Cheese classifiable under CPC 22251, 22252, 22253, or 22254; plant-based cheese substitutes; dairy preparations that do not satisfy the applicable cheese identity; products with unresolved or unaudited CPC 22259 classification
representative_product	One declared factory-gate cheese product from an animal species other than cattle, buffalo, sheep, or goats, or an explicitly reviewed mixed-species product classified to CPC 22259
production_route	Declared lot-specific route: primary cheesemaking from milk or dairy ingredients, and/or processed-cheese manufacture from cheese feedstocks, with applicable fresh, ripened, mould-ripened, brined, grated, powdered, portioned, or packaged operations
market_state	Factory-gate product with declared ripening/processing state, brine and draining convention, incorporated ingredient/coating state, product form, storage condition, and packaged or unpackaged state

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	A declared CPC 22259 cheese product at the factory gate
How much	1 kg net cheese product
How well	Meets the declared product specification and the hard species/classification gate; state, composition, brine convention, product form, and packaging are disclosed
How long or cycle	One production lot delivered to the factory gate; lot production dates, on-site storage duration, and declared shelf-life or maturation condition are reported rather than standardized
reference_flow_link	The reference flow equals the measured net mass of conforming cheese output after the declared draining convention, excluding packaging mass and excluding free brine unless the data package explicitly defines and reports a different commercial net-content convention

Field	Value
Reference amount	1 kg net cheese product at the declared factory-gate state
Reference product flow	Cheese 8b7b59ae-0b3c-4424-9d8f-a7fc304c7e77
Reference flow property	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66
Reference unit group	Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
Reference unit	kg
Required qualifiers	animal species and mass share or documented basis for each milk-derived component; auditable CPC 22259 classification decision; fresh/unripened, ripened, mould-ripened, or processed state; primary-cheesemaking or processed-cheese route; free-brine inclusion and draining convention; incorporated ingredients, coatings, and surface treatments; whole, portioned, sliced, grated, or powdered form; moisture or dry-matter specification used for product identity; packaging included in inventory and packaging excluded from reference mass; factory-gate storage condition and duration; lot and site

When constructing a foreground data package, the items listed in Required qualifiers must be declared in dataset metadata, process notes, reference flow comment, product description, or an equivalent data package field. Missing required qualifiers make the reference flow definition incomplete for that data package.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_net_mass	Reference cheese output	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Measure conforming net cheese mass using a documented lot method. Exclude packaging mass. For a brined product, declare the draining method and whether free brine is excluded or included in the commercial net-content convention.
ingredient_mass_basis	Milk, cheese feedstocks, dairy ingredients, salt, cultures, coagulants, additives, and other ingredients	Mass	kg	Record actual batch issue or consumption mass and identify water, solids, or concentration basis where relevant; do not apply a category-wide recipe or conversion factor.
species_composition_basis	Milk-derived inputs used to establish CPC scope	Mass or supplier composition basis	kg or documented fraction	Preserve supplier and batch evidence for animal species and the basis of each species share. Do not infer species from the generic flow name or product trade name.
energy_carrier_preservation	Electricity, fuels, steam, heat, and refrigeration	Energy or carrier mass/volume	source unit and MJ or kWh conversion	Retain the original metered or invoice unit and carrier identity. Convert only with a documented factor and do not combine electricity, fuel, steam, and cooling into an undocumented energy total.
water_stream_separation	Process, brine-makeup, cooling, and cleaning water	Mass or volume	kg or m3	Record by use and convert volume to mass only with a documented density and condition. Keep fresh water, recirculated water, and condensate separate.
packaging_mass_separation	Primary, secondary, and transport packaging installed before the factory gate	Mass	kg	Record packaging material and mass per lot separately. Packaging may be in the inventory but shall not be included in the 1 kg cheese reference mass.

5. System Boundary

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Milk, dairy ingredients, cheese feedstocks, characterizing ingredients, processing aids, cleaning materials, packaging, water, and energy carriers as received at the manufacturing-site gate, with supplier identity and state declared
starting_condition_role	Foreground manufacturing entry point; upstream production and delivery burdens are linked through separate datasets
product_classification_scope	Only a product with auditable CPC 3.0 subclass 22259 evidence after excluding products classifiable to 22251, 22252, 22253, or 22254
recursive_input_rule	When cheese in the same product category enters processed-cheese or blending operations, record it once as a purchased or transferred product input with its upstream dataset and declared species/classification basis; do not recursively unfold the same production inside this foreground package
upstream_dataset_requirement	Separate representative upstream datasets are required for each milk or cheese feedstock, other material input, energy carrier, water supply, packaging material, transport service when in study scope, and waste-treatment service
disclosure	Declare included unit processes; animal species and CPC decision; product route and state; free-brine and draining convention; ingredients and coatings; packaged state; on-site storage; shared operations; allocation choices; upstream dataset identities; exclusions; data gaps; and any deviation from this boundary

rule_id	applies_to	rule	source_ids
boundary_scope_gate	PCR selection	Stop before modelling unless the retained evidence supports CPC 22259 and excludes classification to CPC 22251, 22252, 22253, and 22254. Mixed-species and other-species products require an auditable classification record.	unsd-cpc-3-0
boundary_foreground_extent	Manufacturing foreground	Include all site operations causally required from receipt through conforming factory-gate cheese output, including applicable coagulation, whey separation, salting, brining, ripening, processing, finishing, packaging, cold storage, cleaning, and on-site treatment. Report process exclusions.	eu-fdm-bat-2019; eu-pef-2021-2279
boundary_recursive_cheese_input	Same-category cheese input	Stop recursion at a purchased or transferred cheese input; link a separate upstream dataset and retain the input's species, classification, composition, amount, and allocation status.	eu-pef-2021-2279
boundary_packaging_and_storage	Factory-gate state	Include packaging installed and on-site storage used before the declared gate when present, but exclude packaging mass from the cheese reference mass. Declare brine and draining conventions separately.	eu-pef-2021-2279
boundary_no_default_lci_from_standards	Source use	Codex product definitions and EU BAT method or performance information shall not be converted into a universal yield, energy, water, recipe, emission, or waste value. Use site and lot records for quantities.	codex-cxs-206-1999; codex-cxs-283-1978; codex-cxs-221-2001; eu-fdm-bat-2019

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
receipt_and_scope_control	Ingredient receipt and CPC scope control	required	Always	Establish input identity, animal species, batch traceability, and applicability before production data are accepted	Per production lot linked to reference output
primary_cheesemaking	Primary cheesemaking and curd/whey separation	conditional	Include when the declared route coagulates milk or dairy material and separates curd, fresh cheese, or whey cheese	Foreground conversion	Per measured curd or cheese output of the process
ripening_and_brining	Ripening, surface treatment, and brining	conditional	Include when the product is ripened, mould-ripened, brined, coated, or surface-treated	Foreground conditioning	Per measured conditioned cheese output
processed_cheese_manufacture	Processed-cheese blending and thermal processing	conditional	Include when cheese or dairy feedstocks are formulated and processed into processed cheese	Foreground conversion	Per measured processed-cheese output
finishing_and_factory_gate	Portioning, grating, powdering, packaging, and factory-gate storage	required	Always; record only operations actually present	Final product conditioning and gate output	Per measured conforming net cheese output
cleaning_and_on_site_treatment	Cleaning, sanitation, and on-site wastewater or waste treatment	required	Always; treatment substeps are included only when operated on site	Shared or process-specific support	Allocated or directly metered per production lot and normalized to reference output

Process: Ingredient receipt and CPC scope control (receipt_and_scope_control)

Inputs

Product flows

Milk, dairy ingredient, or cheese feedstock received (received_milk_or_cheese_feedstock)

Record every received milk-derived feedstock that determines product identity, including its animal species, supplier, lot, physical state, mass, and upstream dataset. For a mixed-species or other-species product, attach the auditable CPC classification decision before the dataset is allowed to use this PCR.

• Selected flow: Site-specific milk, dairy ingredient, or cheese feedstock
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured received and accepted batch mass by feedstock and animal species
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per 1 kg net conforming reference cheese output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_batch_identity_and_scope
• Sources: unsd-cpc-3-0; codex-cxs-206-1999; codex-cxs-283-1978

Outputs

Waste flows

Rejected or redirected received material (rejected_received_material)

Record received material rejected or redirected before production by actual disposition. Do not count a usable redirected product as waste when it retains product status.

• Selected flow: Rejected or redirected dairy material
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured lot mass by reason and destination
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per 1 kg net conforming reference cheese output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_coproduct_waste_and_destination
• Sources:

Process: Primary cheesemaking and curd/whey separation (primary_cheesemaking)

Inputs

Product flows

Milk and dairy material charged to cheesemaking (cheesemaking_dairy_charge)

Record actual batch charges of milk, cream, whey cream, buttermilk, milk solids, or other dairy material used in the declared route, separated by animal species and material state.

• Selected flow: Site-specific milk and dairy material
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Batch-scale or verified transfer mass charged to the cheesemaking vessel
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured output of primary_cheesemaking, then normalized to the reference flow
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_batch_materials_and_recipe
• Sources: codex-cxs-283-1978; codex-cxs-221-2001

Cultures, coagulants, salt, and processing ingredients (cheesemaking_minor_inputs)

Record each culture, enzyme or coagulant, salt, permitted processing ingredient, and processing aid separately from actual batch issue records. Codex lists possible ingredients only within the applicable product standard; it does not set an LCI recipe.

• Selected flow: Site-specific culture, coagulant, salt, ingredient, or processing aid
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg or documented activity unit with mass conversion
• Amount rule: Actual batch issue or consumption by named material; retain concentration and activity basis
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured output of primary_cheesemaking, then normalized to the reference flow
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_batch_materials_and_recipe
• Sources: codex-cxs-283-1978; codex-cxs-221-2001

Process water supplied to cheesemaking (cheesemaking_process_water)

Record potable or process water that becomes an ingredient or contacts the product separately from cooling and cleaning water.

• Selected flow: Process water
• Flow property / unit: Volume or Mass / m3 or kg
• Amount rule: Metered, weighed, or batch-dosed water by use
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured output of primary_cheesemaking, then normalized to the reference flow
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water_and_cleaning_records
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019

Electricity, heat, cooling, and fuels for cheesemaking (cheesemaking_utilities)

Record utility carriers separately for milk preparation, coagulation, cutting, cooking, draining, pressing, cooling, and associated transfers. No EU BAT performance level is used as a batch LCI default.

• Selected flow: Site-specific electricity, heat, cooling, steam, or fuel carrier
• Flow property / unit: Energy or carrier quantity / kWh, MJ, kg, m3, or source unit
• Amount rule: Process meter reading or documented allocation from a site meter for the production period
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured output of primary_cheesemaking, then normalized to the reference flow
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_and_refrigeration_records
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019; eu-pef-2021-2279

Outputs

Product flows

Curd, fresh cheese, or whey cheese intermediate (primary_cheese_intermediate)

Measure the batch output at the declared drainage and temperature condition. The output state determines whether ripening, brining, processing, or finishing follows.

• Selected flow: Cheese intermediate
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured conforming intermediate mass by lot and declared drainage condition
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured output of primary_cheesemaking
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_output_and_state
• Sources: codex-cxs-283-1978; codex-cxs-221-2001

Whey or recovered dairy co-product (whey_or_dairy_coproduct)

Record sweet whey, acid whey, cream, permeate, or another recovered dairy stream separately when it leaves the process as a product or co-product. Retain composition, destination, and product-versus-waste decision.

• Selected flow: Site-specific whey or recovered dairy co-product
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured batch mass and solids or composition basis at transfer
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured output of primary_cheesemaking, then normalized to the reference flow
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_coproduct_waste_and_destination
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019

Waste flows

Cheesemaking losses and wastewater (cheesemaking_losses_and_wastewater)

Record spilled or off-spec material, fines, unrecovered whey, and process wastewater by actual collection point and destination. Do not merge recoverable whey with wastewater.

• Selected flow: Cheesemaking waste or wastewater
• Flow property / unit: Mass or Volume / kg or m3
• Amount rule: Measured, tank-gauged, or calculated from documented site records by stream and destination
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured output of primary_cheesemaking, then normalized to the reference flow
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_coproduct_waste_and_destination
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019

Process: Ripening, surface treatment, and brining (ripening_and_brining)

Inputs

Product flows

Cheese entering ripening or brining (cheese_for_conditioning)

Record the incoming cheese lot mass, state, moisture basis, and previous process link.

• Selected flow: Cheese intermediate
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured transfer mass into the conditioning step
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured conditioned cheese output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_output_and_state
• Sources: codex-cxs-283-1978

Brine, salt, cultures, coatings, and surface materials (conditioning_materials)

Record make-up brine and salt separately from recirculated brine, and record cultures, coatings, wash solutions, herbs, spices, or other surface materials actually used. Declare which material remains incorporated in the reference product.

• Selected flow: Site-specific brine, salt, culture, coating, or surface material
• Flow property / unit: Mass or Volume / kg or m3
• Amount rule: Actual lot charge, make-up, or net consumption after documented recovery
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured conditioned cheese output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_batch_materials_and_recipe
• Sources: codex-cxs-283-1978

Ripening, brining, and refrigeration utilities (conditioning_utilities)

Record electricity, heat, cooling, humidification, ventilation, and other utilities for the actual residence period and equipment used.

• Selected flow: Site-specific electricity, heat, cooling, or fuel carrier
• Flow property / unit: Energy or carrier quantity / kWh, MJ, kg, m3, or source unit
• Amount rule: Metered use or documented allocation for the lot's occupied time and storage condition
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured conditioned cheese output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_and_refrigeration_records
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019

Outputs

Product flows

Conditioned, ripened, or brined cheese (conditioned_cheese_output)

Record output mass after the declared ripening, surface, or draining condition together with residence time, temperature regime, and whether free brine accompanies the product.

• Selected flow: Cheese intermediate
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured conforming output mass using the declared draining and surface convention
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured conditioned cheese output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_output_and_state
• Sources: codex-cxs-283-1978

Waste flows

Brine purge, surface loss, and conditioning waste (conditioning_waste)

Record brine purge, wash-off, rind or trim removed as waste, off-spec product, and wastewater separately by treatment or recovery destination.

• Selected flow: Conditioning waste, spent brine, or wastewater
• Flow property / unit: Mass or Volume / kg or m3
• Amount rule: Measured purge, removal, or disposal quantity by lot and destination
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured conditioned cheese output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_coproduct_waste_and_destination
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019

Process: Processed-cheese blending and thermal processing (processed_cheese_manufacture)

Inputs

Product flows

Cheese and dairy feedstocks charged to processed-cheese manufacture (processed_cheese_feedstocks)

Record every cheese and dairy feedstock by supplier or internal lot, animal species, CPC basis, composition, and mass. Same-category cheese input follows the recursive input rule.

• Selected flow: Site-specific cheese or dairy feedstock
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Actual batch formulation mass by feedstock
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured processed-cheese output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_batch_materials_and_recipe
• Sources: unsd-cpc-3-0; codex-cxs-206-1999

Water, salts, characterizing ingredients, additives, and processing aids (processed_cheese_other_inputs)

Record the actual batch formula by named material, concentration, function, and incorporated-versus-removed state. No uniform recipe or yield is authorized by this PCR.

• Selected flow: Site-specific water, salt, ingredient, additive, or processing aid
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Actual batch issue or consumption by named material and concentration
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured processed-cheese output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_batch_materials_and_recipe
• Sources:

Blending, melting, cooling, and refrigeration utilities (processed_cheese_utilities)

Record electricity, heat, steam, cooling, and fuels separately for the actual equipment and batch.

• Selected flow: Site-specific electricity, heat, cooling, steam, or fuel carrier
• Flow property / unit: Energy or carrier quantity / kWh, MJ, kg, m3, or source unit
• Amount rule: Metered use or documented process allocation for the batch
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured processed-cheese output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_and_refrigeration_records
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019; eu-pef-2021-2279

Outputs

Product flows

Processed-cheese intermediate (processed_cheese_output)

Record conforming output mass and its actual recipe, product specification, temperature, and state before finishing.

• Selected flow: Cheese intermediate
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured conforming batch output mass
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured processed-cheese output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_output_and_state
• Sources:

Waste flows

Processed-cheese residues and off-spec material (processed_cheese_waste)

Record retained vessel material, start-up and changeover loss, off-spec product, and wastewater by actual disposition.

• Selected flow: Processed-cheese residue, off-spec material, or wastewater
• Flow property / unit: Mass or Volume / kg or m3
• Amount rule: Measured or documented lot quantity by stream and destination
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per measured processed-cheese output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_coproduct_waste_and_destination
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019

Process: Portioning, grating, powdering, packaging, and factory-gate storage (finishing_and_factory_gate)

Inputs

Product flows

Cheese entering final conditioning (cheese_for_finishing)

Record the cheese mass and state entering the final operation, linked to the preceding process or purchased-feedstock record.

• Selected flow: Cheese intermediate
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured transfer mass into finishing
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per 1 kg net conforming reference cheese output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_product_output_and_state
• Sources:

Packaging materials installed before the factory gate (packaging_materials)

Record each primary, secondary, and transport packaging material installed within the declared boundary. Packaging mass is never part of the 1 kg cheese reference amount.

• Selected flow: Site-specific packaging material
• Flow property / unit: Mass or count / kg or item with measured mass conversion
• Amount rule: Actual packaging issue, bill of materials, or counted units converted with verified unit mass
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per 1 kg net conforming reference cheese output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_packaging_and_gate_state
• Sources: eu-pef-2021-2279

Finishing, packaging, and cold-storage utilities (finishing_and_storage_utilities)

Record electricity, heat, compressed air, cooling, and fuel for operations actually used, including the lot's on-site storage duration.

• Selected flow: Site-specific electricity, heat, cooling, compressed air, or fuel carrier
• Flow property / unit: Energy or carrier quantity / kWh, MJ, kg, m3, or source unit
• Amount rule: Metered use or documented allocation for finishing and actual on-site storage period
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per 1 kg net conforming reference cheese output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_and_refrigeration_records
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019; eu-pef-2021-2279

Outputs

Product flows

Conforming factory-gate cheese (reference_cheese_output)

This row is the quantitative reference. The selected Tiangong flow is generic; the required qualifiers and CPC gate provide the product-specific meaning.

• Selected flow: Cheese 8b7b59ae-0b3c-4424-9d8f-a7fc304c7e77
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg
• Amount rule: 1 kg measured net conforming cheese at the declared draining, ingredient, product-form, storage, and packaging state
• Value mode: Fixed value (fixed_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per 1 kg net conforming reference cheese output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Identity reference (identity_reference)
• Sources:

Waste flows

Trim, fines, rejected product, and packaging waste (finishing_waste)

Record cheese trim or fines, off-spec product, and packaging scrap separately, including whether each stream is reworked, sold, recycled, treated, or disposed.

• Selected flow: Finishing or packaging waste
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: Measured lot quantity by material, status, and destination
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Per 1 kg net conforming reference cheese output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_coproduct_waste_and_destination
• Sources:

Process: Cleaning, sanitation, and on-site wastewater or waste treatment (cleaning_and_on_site_treatment)

Inputs

Product flows

Cleaning water and cleaning or sanitation agents (cleaning_inputs)

Record water, cleaning chemicals, and sanitation agents by circuit or allocated operation. Keep clean-in-place recovery and fresh make-up separate where records permit.

• Selected flow: Site-specific cleaning water or cleaning agent
• Flow property / unit: Mass or Volume / kg or m3
• Amount rule: Metered, tank-gauged, purchased, or batch-dosed quantity by cleaning event
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Directly assigned or allocated to the production lot, then per 1 kg reference output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water_and_cleaning_records
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019

Utilities for cleaning and on-site treatment (cleaning_treatment_utilities)

Record electricity, heat, steam, fuels, and treatment chemicals separately for cleaning and on-site treatment.

• Selected flow: Site-specific utility or treatment chemical
• Flow property / unit: Energy, Mass, or Volume / kWh, MJ, kg, m3, or source unit
• Amount rule: Metered or documented allocation for cleaning and treatment operations
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Directly assigned or allocated to the production lot, then per 1 kg reference output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_and_refrigeration_records
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019

Outputs

Waste flows

Wastewater transferred to treatment (wastewater_to_treatment)

Record wastewater volume or mass, treatment route, and available load or concentration measurements at the most specific metered boundary. Keep whey, brine purge, and product losses identifiable.

• Selected flow: Wastewater to treatment
• Flow property / unit: Volume or Mass / m3 or kg
• Amount rule: Metered or tank-gauged quantity by stream and treatment destination
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Directly assigned or allocated to the production lot, then per 1 kg reference output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_wastewater_and_direct_emissions
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019

Elementary flows

Direct emissions from manufacturing and on-site treatment (direct_site_emissions)

Record measured emissions to air, water, or soil, or calculate them from site activity records and an identified factor. Do not substitute a product-quality limit or BAT-associated level for actual LCI emissions.

• Selected flow: Site-specific elementary emission
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg or measured source unit
• Amount rule: Direct measurement or calculation from collected site activity data and a documented factor
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: Directly assigned or allocated to the production lot, then per 1 kg reference output
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_wastewater_and_direct_emissions
• Sources: eu-fdm-bat-2019; eu-pef-2021-2279

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	applies_to	rule	source_ids
allocation_avoid_first	Multi-output foreground processes	First avoid allocation by submetering and subdividing directly attributable operations; investigate system expansion only when the study goal and complete added functions support it.	eu-pef-2021-2279
allocation_coproduct_status	Whey, cream, permeate, recovered cheese, brine, and other output streams	Determine product, co-product, recyclable material, or waste status from documented quality, legal status, destination, and revenue or service evidence. Do not classify a recoverable stream as waste merely to avoid allocation.	eu-pef-2021-2279; eu-fdm-bat-2019
allocation_physical_then_other	Residual shared burdens	When subdivision or justified system expansion is not possible, use a relevant causal physical relationship supported by site data. If no such relationship exists, use another documented relationship such as economic value, report the period and prices, and test material sensitivity. This PCR supplies no default factor.	eu-pef-2021-2279
allocation_shared_operations	Cleaning, refrigeration, ripening rooms, utilities, storage, and on-site treatment	Prefer direct meters, occupied time, equipment load, volume, or another causal driver. Document the driver and ensure all allocation shares for the shared operation reconcile to the complete measured total.	eu-pef-2021-2279; eu-fdm-bat-2019
allocation_upstream_feedstocks	Purchased milk, dairy ingredients, and cheese feedstocks	Do not recreate upstream animal-husbandry or milk allocation in this foreground PCR. Use representative upstream datasets consistent with the declared species, geography, technology, and allocation method, and disclose mismatches.	eu-pef-2021-2279
allocation_brine_and_rework	Recirculated brine and reworked cheese	Record gross input, recovery or recirculation, purge, carry-over, and stock change. Assign only the measured net requirement and treatment burden to output; do not treat recovered material as burden-free or double count it as a new input.	eu-fdm-bat-2019

8. Foreground Data Collection, Calculation, and Quality Rules

Data Collection Protocols

protocol_id	process_id	flow_role	record_type	raw_fields	collection_method	unit	frequency	temporal_coverage	site_scope	aggregation_rule	quality_evidence
cp_batch_identity_and_scope	receipt_and_scope_control	Product identity and CPC gate	Supplier record, receipt record, recipe, product specification, and classification decision	site; lot; supplier lot; animal species; species-share basis; material name; product designation; CPC code; reviewer; decision reference; decision date	Reconcile approved supplier and lot documents to the production order; retain the explicit reason CPC 22259 applies and named subclasses do not	document and kg or fraction	Every received lot and every recipe or classification change	All lots represented by the dataset	Each manufacturing site and product	No averaging across unresolved species or CPC decisions; aggregate only accepted lots with the same declared classification basis	Signed or controlled classification record, supplier evidence, production order, and review trace
cp_batch_materials_and_recipe	primary_cheesemaking; ripening_and_brining; processed_cheese_manufacture	Material and formulation inputs	Scale ticket, batch sheet, inventory issue, tank level, and composition certificate	lot; material; supplier lot; animal species where milk-derived; gross and net amount; concentration; solids; activity basis; rework; returned amount; incorporated state	Reconcile actual batch issues and returns to the production record; separate fresh, recovered, and recirculated material	kg, m3, or documented activity unit	Every production lot	All lots represented by the dataset	Process line and site	Sum net actual use by material and normalize only after conforming output is measured	Calibrated scale or tank record, inventory reconciliation, certificate, and operator approval
cp_product_output_and_state	primary_cheesemaking; ripening_and_brining; processed_cheese_manufacture; finishing_and_factory_gate	Intermediate and final product output	Scale ticket, production report, quality release, storage record, and draining-method record	lot; process; gross mass; net cheese mass; free-brine mass or inclusion; packaging mass; drainage method; product form; ripening or processing state; storage time and condition; conforming and rejected mass	Weigh at defined transfer and gate points; reconcile quality release and declared state to the same lot	kg, time, temperature, and documented state	Every lot and transfer; storage by actual residence period	All lots represented by the dataset	Process line, storage area, and site	Sum only conforming output under the same reference convention; report other states separately	Scale calibration, release record, lot genealogy, draining instruction, and storage log
cp_energy_and_refrigeration_records	primary_cheesemaking; ripening_and_brining; processed_cheese_manufacture; finishing_and_factory_gate; cleaning_and_on_site_treatment	Electricity, heat, cooling, steam, and fuels	Submeter, utility meter, fuel issue, operating-hour log, and engineering allocation	meter id; start and end reading; carrier; unit; equipment; operating time; product lot; storage occupancy; allocation driver; conversion factor	Prefer process submeters; otherwise reconcile site meter totals and allocate with a documented causal driver	kWh, MJ, kg, m3, or source unit	Per batch where metered; otherwise no less frequent than the site accounting period with lot linkage	Representative production periods covering actual operation and storage	Equipment, process area, and site	Preserve carriers; subtract documented exports; allocate reconciled totals; normalize to conforming output	Meter calibration, invoices, fuel records, run logs, and allocation reconciliation
cp_water_and_cleaning_records	primary_cheesemaking; cleaning_and_on_site_treatment	Process, cooling, cleaning water and agents	Water submeter, dosing record, clean-in-place log, purchase and stock record	water source; fresh, recycled, or condensate status; use; volume or mass; agent; concentration; cycle; recovery; meter id; lot or line	Meter or batch-dose by use; reconcile cleaning-agent purchases and stock changes; separate process and cleaning streams	m3, kg, and concentration	Each production or cleaning cycle where available; otherwise accounting period with process linkage	Representative cycles at each site	Process line, cleaning circuit, and site	Sum by source and use; deduct only verified recirculation without double counting; allocate shared cleaning by documented driver	Meter calibration, dosing system record, clean-in-place log, and stock reconciliation
cp_coproduct_waste_and_destination	receipt_and_scope_control; primary_cheesemaking; ripening_and_brining; processed_cheese_manufacture; finishing_and_factory_gate	Co-products, rework, rejects, wastes, brine purge, and destinations	Scale, tank, dispatch, waste manifest, sales record, and rework log	stream; product or waste status; mass or volume; solids or composition; destination; revenue if used; treatment; rework linkage; stock change	Measure at transfer; reconcile product, co-product, rework, waste, and stock movements to the same production period	kg, m3, composition, and currency when economic allocation is used	Every lot or dispatch; reconcile each accounting period	All represented production and accounting periods, including stock changes	All relevant process lines and site	Aggregate by status and destination only after lot reconciliation; do not merge whey, brine, wastewater, and solid waste	Scale or tank evidence, dispatch document, legal status, destination receipt, and ledger reconciliation
cp_packaging_and_gate_state	finishing_and_factory_gate	Packaging inventory and gate configuration	Packaging bill of materials, issue and return record, unit count, unit-mass test, and finished-goods specification	material; component; count; verified unit mass; gross issue; return; scrap; packaged state; product net mass; packaging level	Reconcile bill of materials to actual issues and returns; periodically verify unit mass	kg and item	Every packaging configuration and production lot; unit-mass checks on controlled schedule	All represented packaging configurations and production periods	Each line and site	Calculate net installed packaging by material and normalize to net cheese mass; keep packaging outside reference mass	Controlled bill of materials, count reconciliation, scale test, and product specification
cp_wastewater_and_direct_emissions	cleaning_and_on_site_treatment	Wastewater and direct elementary flows	Flow meter, tank record, laboratory result, stack or discharge measurement, activity record, and factor record	stream; point; flow; pH; temperature; measured parameter; concentration; load; sampling time; air, water, or soil compartment; activity; factor; treatment route	Use site monitoring at the most specific point; calculate only from collected activity and a documented factor when direct measurement is unavailable	m3, kg, concentration, and source unit	At the applicable site monitoring frequency and linked to the production period	Representative production and discharge periods, including normal and relevant abnormal operation	All relevant discharge and emission points	Calculate loads from matched flow and concentration; reconcile treated and bypassed streams; allocate only after site total is complete	Meter and laboratory QA, sampling record, factor citation, treatment log, and discharge reconciliation

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
calc_reference_net_mass	Final reference output	Net reference cheese mass = gross weighed unit or lot mass minus excluded packaging mass minus free brine excluded by the declared draining convention. If commercial net content uses another convention, report both masses and select one explicit reference convention.	Gross mass; packaging mass; free-brine mass; draining method; conformity status	kg net conforming cheese	codex-cxs-283-1978; eu-pef-2021-2279
calc_inventory_normalization	Every inventory amount	Normalized amount = reconciled amount attributable to represented lots divided by net conforming reference cheese output for the same lots.	Reconciled row amount; net conforming output; allocation share where applicable	Row amount per 1 kg reference output	eu-pef-2021-2279
calc_batch_mass_reconciliation	Each production process	Reconcile input mass, output cheese, co-products, rework, waste, direct mass releases, evaporation or moisture change, and stock change. Report the residual and investigate it; this PCR supplies no default cheese yield.	Batch material records; measured outputs; waste; emissions; stock change; moisture or evaporation evidence	Process mass-balance table and unresolved residual	eu-fdm-bat-2019; eu-pef-2021-2279
calc_energy_conversion	Utility records	Convert original energy or carrier units only with a cited factor appropriate to the carrier and condition; retain the original quantity and report each carrier separately.	Meter or invoice quantity; carrier; conversion factor and source	kWh or MJ plus preserved source quantity	eu-pef-2021-2279
calc_water_and_wastewater_load	Water and wastewater	Water or wastewater load = matched stream volume multiplied by measured concentration where load is not directly measured. Keep process, cooling, cleaning, brine, and condensate streams distinct.	Stream volume; concentration; sampling period; density where mass conversion is used	Stream quantity and pollutant load by period	eu-fdm-bat-2019
calc_shared_operation_allocation	Shared utilities and support operations	Attributable amount = complete reconciled shared total multiplied by the documented causal allocation share; shares across all users shall sum to one for the same total and period.	Shared total; allocation driver; all user shares; production period	Attributable shared-operation amount	eu-pef-2021-2279
calc_coproduct_allocation	Residual multi-output burden	Apply the selected hierarchy in Section 7. Do not calculate an allocation factor until output status, quantities, physical relation, and any economic data are documented for the same representative period.	Complete process inventory; output quantities and status; chosen relation; price period if relevant	Documented allocation factors and sensitivity result	eu-pef-2021-2279

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_scope_identity	PCR selection and reference product	Every represented lot passes the CPC 22259 gate and retains animal-species and classification evidence. Unresolved mixed-species classification is excluded from aggregation.	Controlled classification decision, supplier evidence, recipe, and reviewer identity
dq_product_state	Reference output	Fresh/unripened, ripened, mould-ripened, or processed state; brine and draining convention; ingredients and coatings; product form; packaging; and storage are complete and consistent across reference mass and inventory.	Product specification, batch record, label or release record, draining instruction, and packaging bill of materials
dq_temporal_representativeness	Foreground activity data	The dataset reports dates, number of lots, production volume, operating modes, storage periods, and exceptional events. Seasonal or campaign differences are retained when material.	Lot genealogy, production calendar, meter periods, and representativeness assessment
dq_technological_and_geographical_representativeness	Site and route	Declare manufacturing site, equipment route, capacity or operating mode, upstream dataset geography and technology, and any mismatch. Do not combine materially different fresh, ripened, or processed routes without separate results.	Process flow sheet, site record, route description, and upstream dataset metadata
dq_measurement_and_reconciliation	Material, energy, water, waste, and emission records	Retain units, meter or scale identity, calibration or QA evidence, data transformations, allocation, and reconciliation residuals. Missing numerical values remain explicit data gaps and are not filled from Codex limits or EU BAT performance levels.	Calibration and laboratory QA, raw records, formulas, source citations, and reconciliation report
dq_completeness	Foreground processes	Quantify all known material and energy inputs, products, co-products, waste, wastewater, and direct elementary flows for included processes, or document why a row is not applicable or remains a gap.	Completed process checklist, raw-field coverage matrix, and approved gap log
dq_source_scope	Use of standards and guidance	Record which source provision supports identity, boundary, collection, or allocation. Do not extend fresh-cheese rules to ripened or processed cheese and do not use quality limits as LCI amounts.	Source-to-rule matrix and reviewer check

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	applies_to	rule	source_ids
validate_scope_gate	Product category	Fail when animal-species evidence or the auditable classification decision is missing, when CPC 22259 is unresolved, or when the product is classifiable under CPC 22251, 22252, 22253, or 22254.	unsd-cpc-3-0; codex-cxs-206-1999
validate_reference_identity	Reference flow	Fail unless the product flow UUID, Mass UUID, unit-group UUID, kg unit, 1 kg amount, and net-mass convention match Section 3. The word Cheese alone never satisfies scope.	eu-pef-2021-2279
validate_state_qualifiers	Product state	Fail when ripening/processing state, brine and draining convention, incorporated ingredients and coatings, product form, packaging state, storage condition, lot, or site is absent. Apply CXS 221-2001 only to fresh/unripened product and CXS 283-1978 only within its scope.	codex-cxs-283-1978; codex-cxs-221-2001
validate_process_route	Process inventory	Fail when a route process declared present lacks its detailed inventory, or when a detailed process is not linked to the process map and represented lots.	eu-pef-2021-2279; eu-fdm-bat-2019
validate_mass_and_flow_reconciliation	Process and factory-gate balances	Fail when reference output is not measured, packaging or excluded free brine is included without disclosure, co-products or wastes are omitted, or the reported residual lacks investigation. No default yield is accepted.	eu-pef-2021-2279; eu-fdm-bat-2019
validate_foreground_quantities	LCI quantities	Fail any category-wide default copied from a Codex product-quality provision, EU BAT performance level, or uncited assumption. Material, energy, water, recipe, yield, waste, and emission amounts require site and lot records or a transparent calculation from them.	codex-cxs-206-1999; codex-cxs-283-1978; codex-cxs-221-2001; eu-fdm-bat-2019; eu-pef-2021-2279
validate_allocation	Multi-output and shared operations	Fail when allocation is used without documenting attempts to avoid it, output status, method, data period, factors, reconciliation to the complete total, and sensitivity when a non-physical relationship is material.	eu-pef-2021-2279
validate_upstream_and_recursive_inputs	Purchased milk, cheese, other inputs, and treatment services	Fail when a material input lacks a representative upstream dataset or when same-category cheese is recursively unfolded instead of linked once with its classification and species basis.	eu-pef-2021-2279
validate_source_scope	Evidence use	Fail when a source is applied outside its stated product or installation scope, or when a quality, composition, permit, or BAT value is treated as an observed LCI quantity.	codex-cxs-206-1999; codex-cxs-283-1978; codex-cxs-221-2001; eu-fdm-bat-2019

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	Product-specific foreground manufacturing dataset for one declared CPC 22259 cheese route and factory-gate state
downstream_use	secondary_dataset for documented studies and background_dataset only when the user's product, species/classification basis, route, geography, technology, time, brine convention, and packaging state are sufficiently representative
allowed_use	Factory-gate modelling of the declared fresh/unripened, ripened, mould-ripened, or processed CPC 22259 cheese; downstream life-cycle models that link separate upstream, distribution, use, and end-of-life datasets
excluded_use	Any cheese classified to CPC 22251-22254; unresolved mixed-species cheese; plant-based substitutes; generic “all cheese” averages; use of Codex limits or EU BAT performance levels as observed inventory; undisclosed transfer across materially different product states or routes
required_metadata	PCR id and version used; CPC decision and evidence; animal species and share basis; product and route state; brine and draining convention; recipe and incorporated ingredients; product form; packaging and reference-mass convention; site and geography; technology; represented dates and lots; storage; process map; upstream datasets; allocation; source versions
required_quality_disclosure	Coverage by process and raw field; measured versus calculated values; meter, scale, laboratory, and calibration evidence; mass, energy, water, and waste reconciliation; allocation drivers and sensitivity; representativeness; data gaps; uncertainty; source-scope limits; deviations
update_trigger	Change in animal species or CPC decision, recipe or product identity, fresh/ripened/processed route, brine or draining convention, packaging or reference-mass basis, site or technology, allocation or co-product destination, upstream dataset, material supplier, monitoring method, or represented period; or evidence that a cited source has materially changed

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
unsd-cpc-3-0	official_guidance	United Nations Statistics Division, Central Product Classification Version 3.0 Explanatory Notes, subclass 22259 and sibling subclasses 22251-22254, 30 June 2025, https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Download/In%20Text/CPC_Ver_3.0_Exp_Notes_30Jun2025.pdf, accessed 2026-08-12	Residual category scope, named-species exclusions, and classification gate
codex-cxs-206-1999	standard	Codex Alimentarius, General Standard for the Use of Dairy Terms, CXS 206-1999, amended 2022, https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/sh-proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252FStandards%252FCXS%2B206-1999%252FCXS_206e.pdf, accessed 2026-08-12	Dairy identity, animal-species declaration, milk-product and composite-milk-product terminology; not quantitative LCI evidence
codex-cxs-283-1978	standard	Codex Alimentarius, General Standard for Cheese, CXS 283-1978, amended 2024, official Codex standards portal: https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/all-standards/en/, accessed 2026-08-12	General cheese identity and declared ripened/unripened state where applicable; possible ingredient and surface-state disclosure; not a universal yield, recipe, or LCI value
codex-cxs-221-2001	standard	Codex Alimentarius, Group Standard for Unripened Cheese Including Fresh Cheese, CXS 221-2001, amended 2022, https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/sh-proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252FStandards%252FCXS%2B221-2001%252FCXS_221e.pdf, accessed 2026-08-12	Fresh/unripened branch identity and applicable ingredient disclosure only; not ripened or processed-cheese LCI evidence
eu-pef-2021-2279	official_guidance	European Commission, Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279 on the use of Environmental Footprint methods, Annex I Product Environmental Footprint method, consolidated English text, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reco/2021/2279/2021-12-30/eng, accessed 2026-08-12	Functional unit and reference flow, process boundary disclosure, company-specific foreground data, normalization, data quality, upstream datasets, and multi-functionality hierarchy
eu-fdm-bat-2019	official_guidance	European Commission, Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2031 establishing BAT conclusions for the food, drink and milk industries, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2019/2031/oj/eng, accessed 2026-08-12	Process-level inventory of water, energy, raw materials, wastewater, emissions, residues, and monitoring strategy; BAT performance and quality levels are not used as foreground LCI defaults