In today’s world, sustainability and transparency are more important than ever. As industries face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprints and address environmental concerns, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) have become a vital tool for driving more sustainable practices. Particularly in the construction and manufacturing sectors, EPDs provide an in-depth, standardized overview of the environmental impact of products.

But what exactly is an EPD, and how can it help manufacturers and professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries make more sustainable decisions? In this blog, we will explore the role of EPDs in creating a low-carbon future, the steps involved in generating an EPD, and why these declarations are crucial for reducing the environmental impact of building projects.

What Is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a scientifically backed, third-party verified report that details the environmental impacts of a product throughout its lifecycle. Think of an EPD as a product’s “nutrition label,” but instead of providing calories or ingredients, it reveals vital environmental data, such as:

• Environmental Impact Categories: The environmental impacts across various categories include Global Warming Potential (GWP), Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), Acidification Potential (AP), Eutrophication Potential (EP), Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP) and Resource Depletion.
• Energy consumption: The amount of energy used during production.
• Water usage: How much water is consumed in the product's life cycle.
• Toxicity levels: The harmful byproducts or chemicals released during production or use.
• Waste generation: How much waste is produced, and its impact on the environment.

EPDs enable decision-makers—designers, architects, contractors, and building owners—to compare the environmental footprints of various products, making it easier to select materials that align with sustainability goals.

What is special about an EPD?

Why create EPDs?

• Certification schemes 
• Compliance/procurement requirements 
• Building LCA 
• Marketing tool 
• Product comparison & specification 
• Future product development

Steps to Create an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

Creating an EPD involves several key steps, each ensuring that the information provided is accurate, standardized, and credible. Here’s how manufacturers can generate an EPD for their products:

Step 1: Collect Data on the Product’s Environmental Impact

The first step in creating an EPD is collecting data about the product’s environmental performance. This includes information about:

• Material inputs (raw materials used in production)
• Energy usage during manufacturing
• Chemical emissions and byproducts generated
• Waste production and disposal

This data is typically gathered through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which evaluates the environmental impacts of the product from its inception to disposal (from “cradle to grave”).

Step 2: Develop Product Category Rules (PCR)

Product Category Rules (PCRs) are sector-specific guidelines that establish rules for creating EPDs. PCRs ensure that EPDs within a product category are comparable and that the data presented is accurate. These rules help standardize the process and ensure fairness when comparing environmental data.

If a PCR does not yet exist for the product category, manufacturers can collaborate with industry associations, other manufacturers, or LCA service providers to create one. This ensures that the EPD accurately reflects the environmental impact of the product in a standardized and comparable manner.

Step 3: Conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study

An LCA is a comprehensive method for assessing the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle. This includes the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing processes, transportation, use phase, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. Prodikt simplifies this process by offering an LCA analysis platform that enables manufacturers to calculate and evaluate the complete lifecycle of their products.

With Prodikt’s platform, manufacturers can generate detailed LCA reports that ensure accuracy and consistency, which are essential for creating reliable and verifiable EPDs.

An LCA can evaluate multiple environmental factors, such as energy use, emissions, and waste generation. It also provides manufacturers with insights into areas where improvements can be made to reduce environmental impacts.

Step 4: Verification and Third-Party Review

Once the LCA is completed and the draft EPD is created, a third-party verification is required. An independent verifier (usually an expert approved by the Program Operator) reviews the LCA and confirms that it complies with the relevant standards and PCR rules.

This verification process is crucial for ensuring the credibility and reliability of the data. 

Step 5: Publication

Once verified, the EPD can be published by the Program Operator and shared in digital or traditional formats and made available.

The Role of Manufacturers in Generating EPDs

Manufacturers play a central role in generating EPDs. By gathering accurate data, conducting LCAs, and adhering to PCR guidelines, they provide the AEC industry with valuable information that supports more sustainable decision-making.

Manufacturers should prioritize transparency in their operations, ensuring that their products meet the growing demand for eco-friendly and low-carbon solutions. By creating EPDs, they help the industry move towards carbon-neutral building practices, making a significant contribution to global sustainability efforts.

The Benefits of EPDs for the AEC Industry

• Promote Sustainable Decision-Making

EPDs enable AEC professionals to choose materials based on their environmental impacts. Whether it’s carbon emissions, water usage, or energy consumption, EPDs provide clear, verifiable data that allows contractors and designers to select products that align with their sustainability goals.

• Support Green Certifications

Many green building certifications require or encourage the use of products with verified EPDs. Having an EPD can help manufacturers and contractors achieve these certifications, which are essential for meeting regulatory requirements and marketing projects as environmentally responsible.

• Mobilize Industry for Carbon Reduction Goals

The widespread adoption of EPDs is a key strategy in reducing embodied carbon in building materials. As more manufacturers provide EPDs, it becomes easier for the AEC industry to make low-carbon choices, driving collective action towards carbon reduction.

• Encourage Continuous Improvement

EPDs highlight the environmental impacts of products, helping manufacturers identify areas for improvement. By tracking these impacts over time, manufacturers can improve their products, reduce resource consumption, and lower their carbon footprint, contributing to long-term sustainability.

Summary: EPDs as a Key Tool for Building a Low-Carbon Future

As the construction industry faces increasing demand to reduce its carbon footprint, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are emerging as an effective instrument for change. By providing transparency about the environmental impacts of products, EPDs help manufacturers, designers, and contractors make more informed, sustainable decisions. With the adoption of EPDs, we can move towards a future where the buildings we not only functional and beautiful but also environmentally responsible.

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