Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) in the Buildings & Construction Industry
The Buildings and Construction industry is a major contributor to global CO2 emissions. Accurate environmental impact data is essential to enable decision-makers to implement effective reduction measures. As a result, demand for reliable product environmental data that allows comparison among products and manufacturers is rapidly increasing.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide transparent, third-party verified environmental information and represent a significant step toward improved sustainability decision-making.
1. Industry Context and the Role of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Buildings and Construction sector accounted for approximately 37% of global operational and process-related emissions in 2021. Process-related emissions alone contribute roughly 9% of that total and are primarily linked to manufacturing activities such as cement and steel production.
These emissions can be assessed using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), defined under ISO 14044:2006 as the compilation and evaluation of inputs, outputs, and potential environmental impacts of a product system throughout its life cycle.
Environmental Impact Categories Assessed in LCA
- Climate change (global warming potential)
- Acidification
- Eutrophication
- Photochemical ozone formation
- Resource depletion (metals and minerals)
A holistic LCA must consider multiple impact categories to avoid burden shifting — where reducing one environmental impact increases another.
2. Standards Governing EPDs
Several international standards regulate LCA and EPD development:
- ISO 14040:2006 – LCA principles and framework
- ISO 14044:2006 – LCA requirements and guidelines
- ISO 14025:2006 – Type III Environmental Declarations (EPDs)
- ISO 21930:2017 – Sustainability in buildings
- EN 15804:2012 – Core rules for construction product EPDs
To improve harmonization within product categories, complementary Product Category Rules (c-PCRs) have been developed. Examples include:
- EN 16757:2022 for concrete and concrete elements
- Concrete batching plant PCRs
3. EPD Verification and Publication Process
EPDs are verified and published by Program Operators (POs), such as the International EPD System. Each PO publishes General Program Instructions (GPI) outlining methodological and verification requirements.
Step-by-Step EPD Development Process
- Selection of applicable PCR or c-PCR
- Collection of product-specific manufacturing data
- Development of LCA model (unit process-based modeling)
- Application of allocation rules for co-products
- Preparation of EPD documentation
- Third-party verification
- Publication through a Program Operator
Because PCRs and GPIs may differ between Program Operators, identical products assessed under different POs may produce non-comparable results.
4. Benefits of EPDs
- Standardized Format: Structured presentation of environmental data
- Transparency: Publicly accessible documents
- Supports Green Building Certifications: LEED, BREEAM, etc.
- Informed Procurement: Enables selection of lower-impact products
- Industry Innovation: Encourages sustainable product development
The introduction of LEED v4 significantly increased EPD adoption within the construction sector.
5. Challenges in Using EPDs
Comparability Issues
EPDs are only directly comparable when:
- They follow the same PCR
- They use consistent methodological assumptions
- They are verified under comparable program rules
Differences in methodologies may lead to misleading comparisons.
Interpretation Complexity
EPDs are technical documents and may not be user-friendly for non-LCA experts. Proper interpretation is essential for sound decision-making.
Harmonization Efforts
There are ongoing efforts to improve methodological harmonization and increase transparency, including:
- Enhanced methodological alignment
- Clear disclosure of limitations
- Sensitivity analysis and uncertainty reporting
- Potential consolidation of Program Operators
6. Role of VRS CERT
VRS CERT is a leading specialist consultancy supporting manufacturers of building and construction products in developing and publishing Environmental Product Declarations.
Our services include:
- Full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies
- Identification of environmental reduction opportunities
- EPD preparation aligned with ISO and EN standards
- Coordination with Program Operators
- Support for sustainability certifications in construction projects
We work closely with manufacturers, suppliers, developers, and project stakeholders to achieve sustainability targets across all design stages of building and infrastructure projects.
Conclusion
The Buildings and Construction industry plays a significant role in global CO2 emissions. Reliable and transparent environmental data is critical for enabling informed, sustainability-driven decision-making.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide a structured and credible mechanism to communicate life cycle environmental impacts. While challenges remain in harmonization and comparability, EPDs are a vital step toward advancing sustainable construction practices.
Through properly developed and verified EPDs, decision-makers can make better-informed choices that contribute to broader sustainability and climate goals.
