When making purchasing decisions, it is now standard practice to consider the environmental impact of a product. To meet this demand, manufacturers not only need to ensure that their products have environmentally, economically and socially preferable life-cycle impacts, but also provide the information in a credible and transparent manner.
A primary method used to evaluate and compare these products is through an environmental product declaration (EPD), a standardized report based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) that transparently describes the inputs, manufacturing processes, environment impacts of a product across its entire life cycle, from cradle to grave.
An EPD is an ISO 14025 standardized report of data collected in the life cycle assessment (LCA) as specified by the product category rules (PCRs).
How are EPDs Used?
Verified EPDs are type III environmental product declarations that allow procurement professionals, architects, designers and consumers to objectively compare the environmental impact of a product throughout its full life cycle.
Manufacturers can assess the position of their products in the marketplace and respond to increasing demands for environmentally sustainable products and transparency in environmental claims.
EPDs may help building projects qualify for points through the LEED v4 in criteria for the Materials and Resources (MR) category (credit Building product disclosure and optimization – environmental product declarations) and the International Green Construction Code. EPDs are also increasingly required in international markets for consumer and commercial products.
Understanding EPDs
EPDs are a standardized way of quantifying the environmental impact of a product or system. They provide detailed information about a product’s carbon footprint, energy usage, waste generation, and more over its entire life cycle. Essentially, they are the report card of a product’s environmental performance.
The development of EPDs involves a rigorous process called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA examines the environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product’s life – from the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life treatment. This cradle-to-cradle design approach ensures that every step in a product’s journey is analyzed for its environmental footprint.
EPD Development and Verification
EPDs are independently verified to ensure their credibility and reliability. The verification process is rigorous, following strict international standards. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) provides third-party verification for EPDs, reinforcing the authenticity of the sustainability claims made by manufacturers.
An integral part of EPD development and verification process is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EIA gauges the potential impacts of a project on the environment, thereby providing a robust foundation for the EPD.
The Role of EPDs in Promoting Sustainable Practices
EPDs are critical tools in promoting practices like resource conservation, waste reduction, and energy efficiency. They encourage manufacturers to adopt low carbon manufacturing processes, which significantly curtail greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, EPDs foster material efficiency by encouraging the use of sustainable materials. By illustrating the environmental impact of various materials, manufacturers can make more informed decisions about their material choices, aligning their operations with the principles of a circular economy.
The Future of Green Manufacturing
EPDs contribute significantly to the development of a green supply chain. They facilitate better product life cycle analysis, encouraging suppliers, manufacturers, and consumers to make more environmentally conscious decisions.
One of the keys to this transformation lies in renewable energy sources. By switching to renewables, manufacturers can significantly reduce the environmental impacts detailed in their EPDs.
Similarly, EPDs play an essential role in promoting eco-labeling. This allows consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions, favoring products with a smaller environmental footprint. In turn, manufacturers are incentivized to pursue more sustainable practices.