The demand for sustainable products and transparency in environmental impacts has driven industries to seek certifications that validate their eco-friendly claims. One of the most recognised ways to achieve this is through an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). An EPD is a standardised, third party-verified document that provides data on the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle. Obtaining an EPD has become a crucial step for companies aiming to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability as it offers a comprehensive analysis of a product's environmental impact throughout its life cycle, offering valuable insights for manufacturers, consumers and stakeholders alike.
What is an EPD?
An EPD is a standardised document that provides transparent and credible information about a product's environmental impact throughout its life cycle. EPDs play a crucial role in supporting carbon emission reduction targets by enabling comparisons between different materials and products, helping stakeholders select the most sustainable options for buildings or infrastructure. A product's carbon footprint is calculated using standardised guidelines known as Product Category Rules (PCR), which ensure consistent and accurate assessments for specific product types. Various organisations issue EPDs, with the International EPD System being our preferred partner at Tunley Environmental, though we are capable of working with any EPD provider based on client needs.
Key Considerations before starting your EPD Journey
Before embarking on the journey to obtain an EPD, it's essential to understand your motivations and whether your product is suited for one. Here are some questions to ask before beginning:
What is the goal of obtaining an EPD? Businesses may seek an EPD to meet regulatory requirements, improve transparency or differentiate their product in the market.
What are the resources available? EPD creation requires time, detailed data collection and third-party validation. Ensure your company is prepared for this commitment.
Do you have access to reliable life cycle data? Data on materials, energy consumption, emissions and end-of-life disposal is essential to conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which forms the basis of your EPD.
Once you are clear about your objectives and resources, you can move ahead with the process. Our expert sustainability scientists also offer in-depth consultation on bespoke considerations for specific industries. Book a free consultation here.
The EPD creation process
The journey to obtaining an EPD involves several key stages, each essential for ensuring accurate and comprehensive environmental data. Below is a breakdown of the key steps:
Step 1: Select the EPD Program Operator (PO)
- Research EPD POs: Investigate different EPD POs that are relevant to your industry and geographical location.
- Consider mutual recognition: Look for EPD POs with mutual recognition agreements to ensure wider acceptance of your EPD.
- Evaluate costs and services: Compare the fees and services offered by different EPD POs.
- Check for industry alignment: Ensure the EPD PO has experience in your specific product category.
Step 2: Identify the Relevant PCR
After selecting an EPD PO, the next crucial step in obtaining an EPD, is to determine the applicable PCR, which comes with instructions on how to conduct an LCA and what data to report.
- Consult with the EPD PO: Your chosen EPD PO can often help identify the most appropriate PCR for your product.
- Review existing PCRs: Check if there's an existing PCR that fits your product category.
- Consider PCR development: If no suitable PCR exists, you may need to work with the EPD PO to develop a new one.
- Understand PCR requirements: Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements outlined in the PCR, including system boundaries, data quality and impact categories to be reported.
Step 3: Conduct the LCA
An LCA evaluates the environmental impact of a product from raw material extraction to manufacturing, distribution, use and disposal. This method provides a full cradle-to-grave analysis of the product. To conduct an LCA, according to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, you need to gather comprehensive data on:
- Raw materials used in the product: Quantities, sources and types of materials.
- Energy consumption: Energy needed throughout manufacturing and transportation.
- Emissions and waste: Generated at every stage of the product's life cycle.
- End-of-life disposal: How the product is handled post-consumer use, including recycling and waste treatment processes.
Related Insight: What are the Stages of an LCA?
Step 4: Engage a Third-Party Verifier and Draft the EPD Document
Once your LCA is complete, the next step is to validate it with a qualified third-party verifier and organise the data into a coherent structure that follows the relevant PCR. The verifier checks the accuracy of the environmental data and confirms that the EPD follows the correct reporting procedures. After validation, the EPD document is drafted, incorporating detailed information from the LCA, such as product descriptions, assumptions and the applied PCR’s calculation methods. The format and content requirements are dictated by the chosen EPD PO, ensuring consistency and transparency in environmental reporting.
The EPD typically includes:
- General information about the product
- The results of the LCA, broken down into environmental impacts, resource use, waste and emissions
- Life cycle stages, outlining the environmental impact at each stage (e.g., manufacturing, use and disposal)
- At this stage, it is also beneficial to include visual aids such as charts and graphs to present data clearly and accessibly. It should also highlight how the product performs against key environmental indicators, such as carbon footprint, energy efficiency or recyclability.
Step 5: Submit the Verified EPD
Once the third-party validation is complete, the next step is to register the EPD with an accredited program operator. These operators publish your EPD in their databases, making it publicly available for stakeholders to access and review. Common program operators include The International EPD® System and UL Environment. Publishing your EPD allows it to be used in business tenders, product comparisons and certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).
Related Insight: EPDs as a Competitive Advantage for Green Building
The Bottom Line
Obtaining an Environmental Product Declaration has a significant impact on demonstrating a company's commitment to sustainability and transparency. The rigorous approach to it ensures that EPDs provide reliable and comparable information about a product's environmental footprint. For businesses looking to secure an EPD, it's crucial to understand the importance of accurate data collection and analysis throughout the product's life cycle as well as how third-party validation plays a vital role in maintaining the credibility of EPDs.