Audio books on disc, tape or other physical media

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR supports foreground data collection for complete prerecorded audiobook title sets on physical carriers. The product is the recorded copy supplied, including its declared retail enclosure and inserts. A set may contain several numbered carriers belonging to one edition. Digital downloads, streaming, text-only electronic books, musical recordings, other spoken recordings without a book identity, blank media sold as such, and playback equipment are outside the product boundary. The classification distinction follows un-cpc-3-0-structure-2025; carrier and master distinctions follow loc-marc-sound-recording.

The default foreground module starts with a supplied audio master and manufactured blank carriers, or with purchased prerecorded audiobook sets awaiting final assembly. It covers copying or file loading, verification, set assembly and release. The module is a gate-to-gate production inventory. A cradle-to-gate model must attach documented upstream supply datasets; this PCR does not declare a complete product carbon footprint or a listening-service comparison. The modular boundary is an author-defined collection design implemented by cp_boundary, not a claim that a general carbon-accounting standard prescribes this exact boundary.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.metal-products-machinery-and-equipment.radio-television-and-communication-equipment-and-apparatus.audio-books-on-disc-tape-or-other-physical-media
classification_refs	CPC 3.0: 47691; classification context, subject to separate mapping acceptance
covered_products	Recorded audiobook title sets on optical disc, magnetic tape or solid-state physical media; abridged and unabridged editions separately identified
excluded_products	Downloads; streaming; text-only media; music recordings; non-book spoken recordings; blank-media products; players; reproduction services without ownership of the recorded product
representative_product	One complete audiobook edition recorded onto its declared number of optical discs and supplied with its measured retail enclosure and insert
production_route	Duplication onto purchased CD-R; magnetic cassette duplication; file loading onto a purchased flash cartridge; assembly of purchased prerecorded audiobook sets, including replicated-disc supply
market_state	Verified recorded copy at producer dispatch, with edition identity, carrier count and packaging composition declared

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	Supply prerecorded spoken-book content as complete physical title sets
How much	1 kg of released title sets, including declared retail enclosures and inserts; equivalent set count is 1 / m_set, where m_set is measured kg per complete set
How well	Correct edition, language, abridgement status, chapter sequence and declared playback compatibility; all required carriers present and accepted under the documented verification plan
How long or cycle	One production release event; declare D hours of recorded content at normal playback speed; D is not service life or the number of listening cycles
reference_flow_link	audiobook_output; apply normalize_release and retain complete-set counts

Field	Value
Reference amount	1
Reference product flow	Audio books on disc, tape or other physical media 866db10b-a6d4-4204-93b9-efd59499e22b
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	Title and edition identifier; language; abridgement status; recorded duration D; carrier format and count per set; recording or loading route; playback compatibility; net carrier mass; retail packaging composition and mass; complete-set mass m_set; released set count; site and geography; reporting period; supplied-master boundary; upstream links; purchased prerecorded input state; reject and rework accounting

Declare every qualifier in the foreground data package. Mass normalization does not make editions or carrier technologies functionally interchangeable. Collection protocols cp_release and cp_boundary define the reference evidence; loc-marc-sound-recording and loc-nls-equipment support recording-format distinctions.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
complete_set_mass	Reference and purchased recorded sets	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Weigh complete sets of each edition and pack configuration. Retain separate carrier and packaging masses. Never normalize to an individual disc when the book requires a multi-disc set.
duration_basis	Recording metadata	Duration	h	Record total sequential content at normal speed; do not multiply duration by audio channels or use compressed file size as playback duration.
electricity_conversion	Electricity	Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66	MJ	Preserve electricity as an energy exchange; 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ by unit definition. Preserve raw meter units and conversion, without treating electricity as combustion fuel.
stock_correction	Material and waste records	Mass	kg	Convert component counts using measured lot-specific mass. Correct receipts and issues for opening and closing stocks, returns and rework; use the same reporting window as accepted output.

5. System Boundary

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Delivered manufactured blank carriers and finished packaging components with a supplied audio master; alternatively delivered prerecorded audiobook sets for final assembly. Record exactly which operations each supplier has completed.
starting_condition_role	Foreground collection cut, not an assertion that upstream manufacture or audio production has no burden
product_classification_scope	Recorded physical audiobook products; blank media and remote content retain distinct identities
recursive_input_rule	Record purchased prerecorded audiobook sets as purchased_audiobook, with supplier, format, packaging state and quantity. Link to the supplier-stage dataset and stop local recursion; never link the input to this same process output.
upstream_dataset_requirement	For a cradle-to-gate result, link carrier manufacture, supplier replication where used, packaging manufacture and printing, audio-master production, purchased electricity and inbound transport. Document geography, technology, year, allocation and overlap for every link.
disclosure	Report gate-to-gate results separately from linked upstream results. Disclose missing suppliers, master-production exclusions, capital-equipment treatment, distribution, listening use, reuse and end-of-life exclusions.

rule_id	applies_to	rule	source_ids
boundary_start	Foreground module	Apply the starting-condition records in cp_boundary. Include on-site copying, file loading, verification, assembly, attributable support energy and rejects. A purchased replicated disc includes supplier manufacture; a CD-R input requires local writing and must not substitute for replication.	nist-cd-dvd-care-2003; loc-marc-sound-recording
boundary_master	Audio master	Treat a supplied master file as information defining the copy job, not as a fictitious mass exchange. Record its provenance and production boundary in cp_boundary. Any separately modelled recording and editing energy must be assigned to copies without duplicate upstream counting.	loc-marc-sound-recording
boundary_expansion	Site completeness	Compare the process walk-through with the bill of materials, meters and waste records. Where the site also moulds discs, coats tape, prints, cleans with solvents or uses fuel, expand the foreground package with separately identified atomic exchanges and supporting protocols, or attach a supplier module at the declared cut. No absent row implies zero impact.
boundary_linking	Downstream model	Keep this partial inventory distinguishable from a complete life-cycle study. Include all inputs and attributable operations inside the declared cut; document exclusions and additional upstream modules before claiming broader coverage.	ghg-product-standard-2011

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
physical_release	Copying, verification and complete-set assembly	required	Every physical audiobook release; individual carrier inputs are conditional on the actual route	foreground production	1 kg released complete title sets

Process: Copying, verification and complete-set assembly (physical_release)

The combined process boundary avoids invented internal material transfers between copying and packing. Separate activity logs still identify each operation. All conditional exchanges retain their own inclusion_condition; only demonstrated absence permits exclusion. Manufactured carrier inputs retain their composite identity: do not add their embedded resin or metal again. Sources for route distinctions are nist-cd-dvd-care-2003, loc-marc-sound-recording and loc-nls-equipment.

Inputs

Product flows

Unrecorded CD-R (blank_cd)

inclusion_condition: Include when the job writes the audiobook onto purchased unrecorded CD-R discs. Record manufactured disc mass including its recording and protective layers; supplier production belongs in the upstream link.

• Selected flow: Unrecorded CD-R
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_material, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_material
• Sources: nist-cd-dvd-care-2003

Blank magnetic audio cassette (blank_cassette)

inclusion_condition: Include when the job duplicates audio onto purchased assembled blank cassettes. Weigh the complete cassette with tape and integral housing; record playing length and tape formulation as supplier qualifiers.

• Selected flow: Blank magnetic audio cassette
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_material, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_material
• Sources: loc-marc-sound-recording

Blank USB flash-memory cartridge (blank_flash)

inclusion_condition: Include when the job loads audio files onto purchased blank USB flash-memory cartridges. Record the complete manufactured cartridge mass and capacity; semiconductor manufacture is upstream, and the cartridge is not a playback device.

• Selected flow: Blank USB flash-memory cartridge
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_material, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_material
• Sources: loc-nls-equipment

Audio books on disc, tape or other physical media (purchased_audiobook)

inclusion_condition: Include when prerecorded audiobook copies are purchased for final assembly or packing. Declare the supplier-stage state and included packaging. Count neither its existing enclosure nor its already completed recording operations a second time.

• Selected flow: Audio books on disc, tape or other physical media 866db10b-a6d4-4204-93b9-efd59499e22b
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_material, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_material
• Sources: un-cpc-3-0-structure-2025

Polystyrene compact-disc jewel case (case)

inclusion_condition: Include when a separately purchased polystyrene jewel case is fitted to the released set. Measure the finished case with its integral tray, not resin feedstock. Exclude enclosures already included in purchased recorded-copy mass.

• Selected flow: Polystyrene compact-disc jewel case
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_material, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_material

Paperboard compact-disc sleeve (sleeve)

inclusion_condition: Include when a separately supplied paperboard sleeve is used for the declared set configuration. Record finished sleeve mass and printing state. Do not add its embedded paperboard or ink again.

• Selected flow: Paperboard compact-disc sleeve
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_material, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_material

Packaging, paper insert (booklet)

inclusion_condition: Include when a separately purchased printed paper instruction insert accompanies the set. Measure the finished printed insert. Printing is upstream unless explicitly included within an expanded foreground boundary.

• Selected flow: Packaging, paper insert b4681b7b-ff95-4df8-804a-fff06aa3c3aa
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_material, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_material

Electricity (electricity)

inclusion_condition: Include all purchased electricity attributable to the declared copying, verification and assembly module. Use job and support-load records; supplier grid generation is represented only by the electricity supply dataset.

• Selected flow: Electricity 890a70b7-b677-4e2a-8a1b-7d017e0a10ae
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66 / MJ; unit group: Units of energy 93a60a57-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_energy, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy

Waste flows

No exchange of this type is defined for the default starting state; verify additional site exchanges under boundary_expansion.

Elementary flows

No exchange of this type is defined for the default starting state; verify additional site exchanges under boundary_expansion.

Outputs

Product flows

Audio books on disc, tape or other physical media (audiobook_output)

inclusion_condition: Include the accepted complete title sets released during the reporting period. Q includes the declared retail enclosure and insert mass. Rejects and incomplete sets are excluded from accepted Q; normalization to one kilogram is an identity, not an empirical yield.

• Selected flow: Audio books on disc, tape or other physical media 866db10b-a6d4-4204-93b9-efd59499e22b
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect accepted released mass Q under cp_release; normalize_release gives Q / Q = 1 kg.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_release
• Sources: un-cpc-3-0-structure-2025

Waste flows

Waste recorded optical compact disc (waste_disc)

inclusion_condition: Include recorded optical discs discarded after failed copying, verification or handling and leaving the boundary. Weigh the composite disc separately from its case. Keep internally retried discs out of transferred waste until actually discarded.

• Selected flow: Waste recorded optical compact disc
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_waste, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste
• Sources: nist-cd-dvd-care-2003

Waste magnetic audio cassette (waste_cassette)

inclusion_condition: Include complete audio cassettes rejected and transferred as waste. Measure cassette and tape together as one composite waste object; do not substitute a generic plastic-waste identity.

• Selected flow: Waste magnetic audio cassette
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_waste, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste
• Sources: loc-marc-sound-recording

Waste USB flash-memory cartridge (waste_flash)

inclusion_condition: Include failed flash-memory cartridges permanently discarded and transferred to treatment. Separate waste treatment transfers from supplier returns for repair and from reusable cartridges retained on site.

• Selected flow: Waste USB flash-memory cartridge
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_waste, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste
• Sources: loc-nls-equipment

Packaging waste, paper (waste_paper)

inclusion_condition: Include discarded printed paper inserts leaving the module as a segregated paper waste stream. Measure by transfer lot and retain contamination and destination information.

• Selected flow: Packaging waste, paper 6b6f1025-cb6a-4c9d-9947-7726c4307a76
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_waste, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste

Packaging waste, cardboard (waste_board)

inclusion_condition: Include damaged or surplus paperboard sleeves discarded and leaving the module. Keep paperboard waste separate from printed-paper inserts and account for waste-storage changes.

• Selected flow: Packaging waste, cardboard 72270223-04b1-4986-a546-94e5a0821317
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group: Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect this exchange under cp_waste, apply stock or allocation corrections, then divide by accepted released mass Q using normalize_release.
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg released complete audiobook sets, including declared retail packaging
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste

Elementary flows

No exchange of this type is defined for the default starting state; verify additional site exchanges under boundary_expansion.

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	applies_to	rule	source_ids
allocation_subdivide	Shared operations	Use direct job metering and separate purchase records first. If allocation remains necessary, justify a physical causal driver; disclose any alternative allocation basis.	ghg-product-standard-2011
allocation_copy_jobs	Copying and assembly	Under cp_energy, assign measured energy by logged occupied machine time, with setup and idle energy assigned to the jobs that caused them. Use copy count only for demonstrably equal carrier and cycle requirements; audio duration alone is not a universal manufacturing driver.
allocation_master	Shared master-production module	Under cp_boundary, disclose how upstream title preparation is assigned across physical and digital releases and over the production population. Retain observed and forecast copy counts separately, test sensitivity to forecasts and prevent double charging through a supplied recorded-copy dataset.
allocation_rejects	Rejects and recycling	Charge failed copying and destroyed sets to accepted output. Track rework without counting it as new production. Keep recycling assumptions consistent with linked datasets; do not give the foreground module an unsupported avoided-virgin-material credit.	ghg-product-standard-2011

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_boundary	physical_release	Supply boundary and route	Supplier and job record	Supplier; master identifier; edition; input state; completed operations; upstream dataset; geography; year; transport mass and distance; shared master allocation	Trace purchase orders to job instructions and supplier declarations; walk through the site	kg; km; dataset identifier	Each supplier and route change	Same production window as output	Declared site and suppliers	Build an operation-to-module register; count each operation once	Supplier evidence, boundary diagram and documented gaps
cp_material	physical_release	Each carrier and packaging component	Stock and weighing record	Row id; lot; component specification; opening stock; receipts; closing stock; returns; issued count; sampled unit mass	Reconcile stores ledger with scales and job bills of materials	kg; item	Each lot and stock close	Complete representative reporting period including setup and failures	Production and packing stores	Net use per row divided by accepted output mass; no average across incompatible editions	Scale checks, supplier specifications, stock reconciliation
cp_energy	physical_release	Electricity	Meter and job log	Meter id; start/end reading; unit; job id; run time; setup; idle; support load; allocation driver	Submeter production and packing; reconcile allocated energy against the site bill	kWh; MJ; h	Each campaign, with reporting-period reconciliation	Same reporting period as accepted output	Copying, verification, packing and attributable support	Sum job-assigned energy; convert units; divide by released mass	Meter calibration, bill reconciliation and driver justification
cp_release	physical_release	Accepted audiobook sets	Production and quality record	Title; edition; language; abridgement; duration; format; carriers per set; accepted set count; rejected count; net carrier mass; enclosure mass; insert mass; gross set mass; verification result	Weigh complete sets; compare title and track sequence to the authorized master; record playback and file-integrity checks suitable for the format	kg; set; h	Each edition and lot; verification per documented lot plan	Same reporting period as inputs	Final verification and dispatch	Q = sum of accepted set counts times measured set mass for the declared configuration	Weighing sheets, content manifest, test plan and release authorization
cp_waste	physical_release	Each rejected carrier and paper waste stream	Waste transfer and rework record	Row id; origin; mass; contamination; rework count; stock change; destination; treatment route	Weigh segregated disc, cassette, flash, printed-paper and paperboard waste separately; reconcile with transfer records	kg; item	Each lot and removal	Same window as production; correct temporary storage	Production, packing and waste storage	Waste leaving the boundary divided by Q; keep internal rework separate	Scale checks, waste receipts and component balance

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
normalize_release	All inventory rows	For each row i, a_i = corrected and allocated A_i / Q; Q is accepted released mass and must be positive. Output is Q / Q = 1 kg by definition.	cp_material; cp_energy; cp_release; cp_waste	Exchange per reference flow
set_conversion	Declared output	m_set = carrier mass per set + included enclosure and insert mass per set; equivalent sets per kg = 1 / m_set. Retain measured batch variation rather than rounding to whole sets.	cp_release	Auditable set-to-mass conversion
stock_use	Input quantities	Net consumed mass = opening stock + receipts - closing stock - returned unused mass. Reconcile independently with job issues and internal returns.	cp_material	Row-specific gross consumed mass
material_balance	All physical inputs and outputs	Reconcile consumed carrier and packaging mass with released set mass, removed waste and work-in-progress change. Investigate differences using scale uncertainty and documented omissions; no universal tolerance is prescribed.	cp_material; cp_release; cp_waste	Component mass reconciliation

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
quality_identity	Title set	Do not pool editions, abridgements or media formats without quantities and an explicit weighted population.	cp_release title manifest and weighing records
quality_coverage	Foreground	Use measured or documented primary activity data for controlled operations; state temporal, geographical and technological representativeness.	cp_boundary; cp_energy; ghg-product-standard-2011
quality_missing	Missing quantities	Missing, zero and not applicable are distinct states. Resolve missing major quantities before using the package as a complete inventory.	Completeness review against cp_material and cp_waste
quality_ranges	Screening	Collect foreground quantities even when external benchmarks are unavailable. Do not transfer a disc-manufacturing case value to tape or flash media, or treat storage recommendations as yield ranges.	Lot records; nist-cd-dvd-care-2003 for the distinct purpose of storage guidance

The NLS-specific specification illustrates multi-cartridge identification, packaging and quality checks; its detailed label dimensions and typography are not imposed on every product by this PCR (loc-nls-labeling-packaging-2014).

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	applies_to	rule	source_ids
validate_reference	Reference output	Require all reference qualifiers, Q greater than zero, the same declared gross retail-set mass basis for normalization and a complete carrier sequence. Test set_conversion against weighing records.
validate_routes	Inputs and boundary	Require route-specific inclusion evidence. Purchased recorded copies and local blank-media copying must not describe the same copy twice. Reject a supplier link that creates a self-loop.
validate_energy	Electricity	Reconcile meter totals and allocations, preserve MJ or documented kWh conversion, and exclude upstream grid emissions from direct site-emission rows.
validate_inventory	Exchanges	Require atomic identities, correct direction, flow type and unit. Keep any unconfirmed UUID empty. Reconcile every material input and waste stream with records; omitted additional site exchanges make coverage incomplete.
validate_quality	Product release	Require the edition manifest, duration and declared format-compatible playback or integrity checks. A mass total alone cannot establish a complete, usable audiobook set.	loc-marc-sound-recording; loc-nls-equipment
validate_use_claim	Dataset claims	Label the foreground boundary and upstream-link completeness. Do not present gate-to-gate data as a complete life-cycle result or compare reading or listening services using product mass alone.	ghg-product-standard-2011

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	secondary_dataset
downstream_use	background_dataset for the declared physical audiobook production module after data review
allowed_use	Modelling the specified edition or disclosed production mix at its declared carrier format, supplier cut, site and reporting period
excluded_use	Standalone full product carbon footprint; download or streaming inventory; player manufacture; listening-service comparisons; another carrier route without requalification
required_metadata	Reference qualifiers; collection window; title-set count and mass conversion; process boundary; supplier and electricity links; route conditions; allocation methods; measured quantities and calculation lineage
required_quality_disclosure	Missing upstream data; unresolved flow identities; completeness; representativeness; measurement uncertainty; rework; rejects; master-production treatment and absent external benchmarks
update_trigger	New carrier or packaging design; changed supplier, recording route, edition or electricity supply; changed yield or allocation basis; new measured data or verified flow identity

11. Data Sources

source_id	type	reference	used_for
un-cpc-3-0-structure-2025	official_guidance	United Nations CPC 3.0 structure, 30 June 2025; accessed 2026-09-09; independence_key: un-cpc-3.0-structure-30jun2025	Product identity and exclusions; not quantitative inventory evidence
nist-cd-dvd-care-2003	official_guidance	Care and Handling of CDs and DVDs: A Guide for Librarians and Archivists, Fred R. Byers, 2003; accessed 2026-09-09; independence_key: nist-sp-500-252-2003	Carrier-state and material-boundary distinctions, sections 3.1–3.4
loc-marc-sound-recording	official_guidance	MARC 21 Bibliographic Format: 007 Sound Recording; accessed 2026-09-09; independence_key: loc-marc21-bibliographic-007-sound-recording	Format, physical-carrier and master distinctions, fields 01 and 09
ghg-product-standard-2011	standard	WRI/WBCSD Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard, 2011; accessed 2026-09-09; independence_key: wri-wbcsd-product-standard-2011	General boundary-disclosure, primary-data and allocation principles; chapters 6–9
loc-nls-equipment	official_guidance	Library of Congress: Equipment for NLS Materials; accessed 2026-09-09; independence_key: loc-nls-equipment-for-nls-materials	Flash-cartridge route and playback-compatibility qualifiers; no device numerical defaults adopted
loc-nls-labeling-packaging-2014	standard	NLS Specification 420:2014: Labeling and Packaging of Books on Digital Talking Book Cartridges, version 1.3; accessed 2026-09-09; independence_key: loc-nls-specification-420-2014-v1.3	NLS-specific example of complete-copy identification and packaging inspection, sections 1, 3 and 4