What is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?
An Environmental Product Declaration EPD is a standardized, internationally recognized, comprehensive tool that reports the environmental impact of a product or service. Created based on the product’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), it communicates verifiable and accurate information about the lifecycle environmental impact of a product.
The International EPD® System defines an EPD as “a document that lays out the environmental performance of a product.” It comprises a comprehensive description of the product’s life cycle, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal or recycling.
How is an EPD Created?
The creation of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a rigorous process. First, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) must be performed. An LCA is a systematic approach used to assess the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process, or service.
The LCA involves cataloging inputs (like raw materials and energy) and outputs (like emissions and waste) at each stage of the product’s life, then calculating the environmental impact. This information forms the foundation for the EPD.
Once the LCA is complete, the EPD is created using the information from the LCA and is presented in a standardized format, making it easy to understand and compare. The completed EPD is then reviewed by a third-party organization to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Why is an EPD Important?
EPDs are increasingly crucial in our globalized world for several reasons:
Transparency
With an EPD, companies can offer complete transparency to their customers about the environmental impact of their products. This detailed environmental information allows consumers to make informed decisions about the products they buy and use.
Benchmarking and Improvement
EPDs offer a way for companies to measure and track the environmental performance of their products. This measurement can help identify areas for improvement and benchmark their products against competitors.
Regulatory Compliance
EPDs are also becoming a key component of green building standards and certification systems, like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). With the increased emphasis on sustainability in building codes and regulations, having an EPD can help a product meet the necessary environmental criteria.
Corporate Responsibility
Today, many businesses are committed to reducing their environmental footprint and demonstrating their commitment to sustainability. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) help these organizations communicate their environmental stewardship in a credible and standardized manner.
Market Differentiation
Finally, in a competitive marketplace, an EPD can provide a product differentiation point. It can showcase a company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, which can be a compelling selling point for many consumers.
FAQS
An EPD is a verified document that reports the environmental impacts of a product, based on a comprehensive assessment of its entire life cycle — from raw materials to disposal. It follows recognized international standards to ensure transparency and comparability.
EPDs provide reliable, science-based information that manufacturers can use to improve sustainability, and buyers can use to choose environmentally responsible products. They help make environmental impacts measurable and understandable.
By developing an EPD, manufacturers can demonstrate environmental accountability, improve product design, comply with regulations, and gain a competitive edge in markets that prioritize sustainability.
EPDs are developed using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods following ISO standards (14025, 14040, 14044) and product category rules (PCRs). They must undergo independent third-party verification before being published.
EPDs offer verified data that architects and builders use to meet criteria in certifications like LEED and BREEAM, earning credits for using sustainable materials with lower environmental impacts.
Yes, EPDs align with many governmental and voluntary sustainability frameworks, making it easier for manufacturers to meet environmental regulations and qualify for green procurement policies.
Typical impacts include carbon emissions, energy use, water consumption, waste generation, and pollution metrics. These results cover all stages from raw materials extraction through production, use, and end-of-life phases.
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