CPC Classification System
The Central Product Classification (CPC) is a comprehensive, standardized classification system developed by the United Nations Statistics Division. It provides a framework for classifying all products and services in a consistent, internationally recognized manner. In GREENZERO Journey, this classification system offers several advantages:- Standardization: Products are categorized according to internationally accepted standards
- Comprehensiveness: The CPC covers all goods and services that can be the object of domestic or international transactions
- Hierarchical Structure: Categories are organized in a multi-level hierarchy, allowing for both broad and specific classifications
- Comparability: Products can be compared across different companies, industries, and countries
Automatic Category Management
One of the key advantages of using the CPC classification in GREENZERO Journey is that categories typically don’t require manual management. The system handles categorization through:Automatic Detection
When products are added to the system, the GREENZERO Journey AI automatically:- Analyzes product descriptions, specifications, and other metadata
- Identifies key characteristics that indicate product type
- Matches these characteristics against the CPC classification framework
- Assigns the most appropriate CPC category to the product
Intelligent Classification
The AI employs advanced techniques to ensure accurate categorization:- Natural Language Processing: Extracts meaningful information from product descriptions
- Image Recognition: Can identify product types from visual data when available
- Pattern Recognition: Learns from existing categorized products to improve accuracy
- Contextual Analysis: Considers related products and industry context
Manual Override
While automatic categorization is the default, the system does provide options for manual intervention when necessary:- Reviewing and confirming AI-suggested categories
- Manually selecting a different category when the AI’s suggestion isn’t optimal
- Creating custom subcategories within the CPC framework for specialized needs
- Bulk recategorization of multiple products when needed
How Categories Influence AI Behavior
Product categories play a crucial role in how the GREENZERO Journey AI analyzes products and generates insights. The AI uses categories to infer patterns and apply relevant rules across similar products.Pattern Recognition
The AI detects patterns specific to product categories, such as:- Typical Material Compositions: Understanding what materials are commonly used in specific product types
- Expected Lifecycle Phases: Recognizing which lifecycle phases are most relevant for different categories
- Common Environmental Hotspots: Identifying environmental impact areas that frequently occur in certain product types
- Industry Benchmarks: Establishing performance baselines for products within the same category
Category-Specific Rules
Unlike brand rules, which are explicitly defined, category rules are often inferred by the AI based on patterns observed across products in the same category. These inferred rules help the AI to:- Apply appropriate assumptions when data is incomplete
- Flag unusual characteristics that deviate from category norms
- Suggest improvements based on best practices within the category
- Compare products against relevant benchmarks
Cross-Category Analysis
The hierarchical nature of the CPC classification also enables the AI to perform analyses across related categories:- Identifying trends at different levels of the category hierarchy
- Transferring insights from one subcategory to related subcategories
- Comparing environmental performance across different but related product types
- Detecting opportunities for cross-category standardization
Benefits of Category-Based Analysis
The category-based approach in GREENZERO Journey provides several key benefits:More Accurate Comparisons
Products within the same category can be meaningfully compared, allowing for:- Fair benchmarking against industry standards
- Identification of outliers within a category
- Recognition of best-in-class examples
- Meaningful performance targets based on category peers
Targeted Recommendations
The AI can provide more relevant recommendations by considering category-specific factors:- Material substitutions that are appropriate for the specific product type
- Process improvements that are relevant to the category’s manufacturing methods
- Design changes that align with category functionality requirements
- Supplier suggestions with experience in the specific product category
Streamlined Portfolio Management
Categories help organize and manage product portfolios more effectively:- Grouping similar products for batch analysis and improvement
- Identifying category gaps or overlaps in product offerings
- Prioritizing sustainability efforts by category impact
- Tracking performance improvements within and across categories
Category Reports and Analytics
GREENZERO Journey provides category-specific reports and analytics that help you understand environmental performance at the category level:- Category Impact Profiles: Environmental impact breakdowns specific to each product category
- Category Benchmarking: How your products compare to category averages and best practices
- Category Improvement Tracking: Progress in reducing environmental impacts within specific categories
- Cross-Category Comparisons: Identifying which product categories contribute most to your overall environmental footprint