Introduction to EPDs

Environmental Product Declarations

 

 

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) provides verified information about the impact a material or product has upon the environment.
  • EPDs are similar to the ingredient labels on food packaging- though in the place of calories, sugars and salt, they quantify a variety of environmental impacts including global warming gases, toxicity to water and land, fossil fuel depletion and water extraction.
     
  • EPDs are prepared according to the strict international ISO 14000 series of environmental performance information standards and are verified by an independent third party.
     
  • The information published in an EPD is based upon a Life Cycle Assessment. An LCA examines and quantifies the range of environmental impacts from 'cradle to grave' - from the point of raw material extraction, through manufacture, installation, use, demolition and finally disposal.
     
  • The information is presented in a standard format that enables users to compare data between products as part of the design process.
     
  • EPDs are produced for all consumer products as well as construction products.

 

Why use EPDs?
  • EPDs in the construction industry have been developed to meet with the increasing demand by architects, designers and specifiers for consistent and transparent information about the impact that construction materials and products have on the environment.
     
  • EPDs remove any doubt about the environmental impacts of a product. Because they meet with rigorous international standards, they are, above all, credible.
     
  • An EPD helps a manufacturer better communicate the environmental performance aspects of a product.
     
  • An EPD can substantiate a 'green claim'. So for example if a manufacturer claims that a new product results in a smaller 'environmental footprint', the EPD can back-up that claim with real data.

 

GreenSpec EPDs

The GreenSpec EPD service provides a one-stop-shop for manufacturers looking to publish an Environmental Product Declaration about their products. The service includes carrying out a full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based on data supplied by the manufacturer and others, as well as the preparation of an extensive report that forms the EPD to the ISO 14025 standard.