Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are an increasingly essential requirement in sustainable construction. An EPD is a transparent document that reports a product’s environmental impact throughout its lifecycle.
Within the construction industry, EPDs support carbon emission reduction by enabling comparison of environmental impacts across materials and products, helping stakeholders select the most sustainable options.
Various EPD standards and types have evolved globally to meet business needs and regulatory requirements. It is crucial for manufacturers and clients to understand different EPD types to communicate accurately. Misleading environmental claims can cause serious reputational and compliance risks.
Different EPD Types
1. Single-Company, Single-Product EPD
This is the most common type of EPD. It describes the lifecycle environmental impact of one product manufactured by a single company.
- Covers one product from one manufacturer
- May include multiple manufacturing sites
- Products must not be distinguishable to downstream customers
- Referred to as a “Product-specific Type III EPD” in LEED v4
- Can also be project-specific (for public procurement projects)
2. EPD for a Product Not Yet on the Market
EPDs can be developed for products that are designed but not yet launched, provided a registered EPD exists for a similar product.
Two categories of similar products:
- Sibling Product: Same LCA model structure with only minor differences (e.g., material share, energy consumption, distribution distance). Information quality requirements are assumed to be fulfilled.
- Non-Sibling Product: Differences extend beyond operational data (e.g., different materials or manufacturing technologies). In this case, the EPD owner must prove compliance with data quality requirements.
EPDs for products not yet on the market must include the disclaimer:
“Product Not Yet on the Market”
Environmental profiles must be updated and re-verified within one year of actual production.
3. EPD of Multiple Products
Similar products manufactured by the same company may be included in one EPD.
- Must follow the same Product Category Rules (PCR)
- Must have similar core manufacturing processes
- Results declared may represent:
- One representative product
- Average results
- Worst-case results
Also known as
“Group EPDs”.
4. Sector or Industry-Average EPD
A sector EPD is developed by an industry association and reports the average environmental performance of products across multiple companies within a defined geographic region.
- Must follow the same PCR
- Must apply the same functional/declared unit
- Results represent industry averages, not individual manufacturers
Also referred to as:
- Industry-wide EPD
- Industry-average EPD
- Generic EPD
5. Machine-Readable EPD
A machine-readable EPD converts EPD information into a structured digital format (XML). This enables integration into digital platforms and environmental calculation tools.
Hosted by the International EPD® System, digital EPD data allows:
- Open procurement integration
- Building assessment tools
- Environmental calculation software
- Improved transparency and comparability
Machine-readable EPDs align with the International Open Data Network for Sustainable Construction (InData) and use the ILCD+EPD data format developed by the European Commission’s DG JRC.
The structure supports flexibility for national requirements and future updates to standards such as EN 15804 amendments.
6. ECO EPD (ECO Platform)
ECO EPDs comply with EN 15804 and are issued by recognized ECO Platform program operators.
- Programs audited for compliance with EN 15804
- Follow ECO verification guidelines
- Recognized across Europe
- Provide broader international credibility
7. Pre-Certified EPD
A pre-certified EPD is an initial step in publishing environmental information during the development of new Product Category Rules (PCR).
- Serves as a practical example for PCR development
- Facilitates stakeholder discussions
- Allows early communication of product environmental performance
Sustainability & Regulatory Context
Sustainability considerations in construction are increasingly emphasized under the European Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at the building level is a key evaluation tool. Required material data is provided through EPDs based on standards such as:
The digital transformation of EPDs expands applications in procurement, sustainability reporting, and environmental compliance tools.
Conclusion
Different markets operate under different regulatory systems, and not all EPD types are suitable for every application.
Manufacturers must identify:
- How the EPD will be used
- Which standard must be followed
- The required level of verification
- Publication requirements
- Associated time and cost considerations
Understanding client requirements ensures the correct EPD type is developed, verified, and published effectively.
