Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)

EPDs

What is an EPD?

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is an industry-approved standardised document that reports a product’s environmental impact across its entire lifecycle. Every published EPD certificate documents the product's carbon footprint, known as the ‘Global Warming Potential’ (GWP), which includes environmental impacts to carbon, air, soil and water bodies.

The environmental data is created via a holistic lifecycle assessment (LCA) which is then verified by a third-party expert who acts as an independent verifier. Construction product EPDs follow EN 15804* (the European Standard for the generation of EPD for construction products), standardisation ISO 14025 and other related international standards. An EPD program operator, of which there are several, then publishes the EPD certificate.

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Why are EPDs needed?

To provide transparency about product impacts to buyers or suppliers who want low-carbon goods
Independent verification of manufacturer’s data
Improve product manufacture and process efficiency
To support meeting green building certification including BREEAM and LEED
Highlight potential pitfalls of the product in terms of higher environmental impact

Benefits

Gain a complete picture of carbon consumption to help your business meet sustainability and/or ESG targets
Build a positive image for investors and customers
Although internationally recognised EPDs are yet to be universally adopted, delivering a competitive advantage for businesses with them
EPDs last five years, giving your business documented evidence of environmental impact for a sustained period

How we can help

Step one

An initial consultation will determine which EPD program operator to engage and the full scope of required data

Step two

Accumulate the environmental data for each component of the product

Step three

Analyse production data during the life cycle stages; manufacturing, construction, product use, end of life and benefits beyond the system boundary

Step four

Liaise directly with the EPD program operator to independently verify the full life cycle of the product

Step five

Finalise report and deliver the independently verified EPD certificate

Case Study

Specwall

Specwall manufactures precision-engineered walling systems, an efficient upgrade on the traditional blockwork, SFS and plasterboard system utilised by the construction industry.

Full Case Study

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How long have EPDs been around?

Standardised EPDs as we currently know them are a relatively new development, but the idea of measuring the environmental impact of a product has existed since the late nineties.

Before companies created a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which took on board the relationship between the company’s environmental impact and its products. The standardised EPD process harness this LCA data as part of the calculations.

Will it require a lot of effort from my business to create an EPD?

EPDs can usually be calculated from inventory data from the production process. This means there’s not a huge investment of time or effort from the business with the bulk of the work done by the EPD consultant and program operator, providing the accuracy of all components is immediately available.

When the data isn’t available in its entirety this can slow the process down. There may be more undertaking required if this data is incomplete for any of the materials.

Are EPDs based on international standards?

Yes, EPDs rely on being recognised across the globe and reassuring businesses around the globe of their accuracy. The concept is based on the EN ISO 14025 guidelines which adhere to the Product Category Rules which are internationally utilised.

Does Trident conduct the EPD?

Yes, we carry out the Life Cycle Analysis and produce the EPD Report. We engage a fully qualified EPD program operator for verification and publication. These vary from industry, including the Building Research Establishment (BRE) for the construction industry.

Where are EPDs currently being used?

As well as the UK, EPDs are now becoming globally utilised as more businesses rely on a standardised process. Their prominence is well advanced across Europe, particularly in France.

How long does an EPD last?

EPD’s tend to be valid for five years, although there are occasional variations depending on the EPD certificate issued. The creation undertaking usually takes several months, the time fluctuating due to the depth of data both required and available at the start of the process.