Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a verified and registered document that provides transparent, comparable, and science-based information on the environmental performance of a product, based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in accordance with ISO 14025. EPDs enable manufacturers, designers, and consumers to make informed decisions and promote sustainable competition across markets.

Regulatory Framework

• ISO 14025 (Type III environmental declarations): Defines the general requirements for third-party verified environmental declarations based on LCA.
• Product Category Rules (PCR): Specify the calculation parameters, impact categories, and data requirements for each product type, ensuring consistency and comparability.
• EPD program operators: Include The International EPD® System, ECO Platform, UL Environment, and other recognized registries.

Key Contents of an EPD

• Product description: Information about the product, its composition, and intended use.
• LCA results: Quantified environmental impacts such as climate change, resource depletion, acidification, eutrophication, and ecotoxicity.
• Additional information: Packaging details, recyclability, and presence of hazardous substances.
• Verification statement: Confirmation by an independent third-party verifier.

Development Process

1. Select the appropriate PCR.
2. Conduct the LCA according to ISO 14040–14044 standards.
3. Undergo critical review and third-party verification.
4. Register and publish the EPD within an accredited program.

Benefits

• Transparency and credibility: Third-party verification ensures reliability and prevents greenwashing.
• Market access: Increasingly required in public procurement, green building certifications (e.g., LEED, BREEAM), and ESG reporting.
• Continuous improvement: Helps identify environmental hotspots to optimize products and reduce costs.

Common Sectors with EPD Adoption

• Construction: Cement, steel, insulation materials, flooring, and glazing.
• Food and beverage: Packaging and processed products.
• Appliances and ICT: Consumer electronics, data centers, and office equipment.

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a key instrument for standardized environmental communication, enabling evidence-based sustainability claims and supporting the transition toward a circular and low-carbon economy.