Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) serve as a standardized method for reporting the environmental impacts of manufacturing and utilizing products, based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). For construction products, a unified set of Product Category Rules (PCR) ensures consistent reporting across similar products. In Europe, construction product EPDs adhere to the European Standard EN 15804 as their PCR, which ensures uniformity in LCA rules and environmental indicators. This standardization allows for the aggregation of environmental impact data from various products to evaluate the total environmental footprint of a building. Importantly, EPDs must be independently verified by experts in the relevant product category.

Are Construction Products Unique?

Though categorized as construction products, these items are essentially “intermediate” products intended to collectively construct a building. Products like cement serve multiple functions—used in ready mix concrete, mortar, or block paving. An EPD detailing the environmental impact per tonne of cement enables producers of concrete, mortar, or block paving to create their own EPDs. When mortar is used in different applications, such as exposed or internal walls, an EPD in the modular format of EN 15804 offers users the flexibility to apply this data according to their specific use.

Different Quality Standards: EN 15804+A2 and ISO 21930

EN 15804+A2 is so called “European” standard for EPD development, widely accepted in all European markets and around the world. But EPDs created with the ISO 21930 are also accepted in Europe; while the US and Canada pursue ISO 21930 for domestic EPDs, and in some cases also just apply ISO 14040/44, which is the underlying standard for both the EN and ISO EPD standards.

• EN 15804 is the standard for “Sustainability of construction works – Environmental product declarations – Core rules for the product category of construction products” - widely accepted in Europe
• ISO 21930 is the standard for “Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works, or the core rules for environmental product declarations of construction products and services” - widely accepted in USA and Canada

Why do we need EPDs? 

Construction Products Regulation (CPR) in Europe and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US are major driving regulations behind EPDs for construction products. Both regulations aim to reduce the environmental impact of construction, mainly CO2 (the carbon footprint) and increase buildings sustainability in the long term.

What is the ILCD+EPD Format?

Initially, EPDs were disseminated as printed materials or static PDFs, requiring redundant and manual work for data entry for building environmental assessments. The need for automation led to the development of digital EPDs in the ILCD+EPD format, which are machine-readable XML files compatible with building LCA software. Developed by the European Commission, the ILCD format was enhanced to include EPD-specific elements, resulting in the ILCD+EPD format. This format is adaptable to evolving requirements or national specifications and standards.

Are products with EPDs better?

An EPD simply provides environmental information about a product - the data for decision making; EPD does not inherently indicate whether a product has high or low impacts. However, designers, architects, real estate developers, construction companies, and clients using the data provided by EPDs can assess product performance in comparison to other products. EPDs also provide a chance to build a big picture - life cycle assessment and judge the environmental performance of the whole building. It is important to keep in mind while comparing different products, the overall quantity required for functionality, as well as the environmental impact detailed in the EPD. For instance, insulation products with different thermal conductivities require consideration of both material quantity and environmental impact.

What are the differences between EPD and LCA?

LCA is conducted according to ISO 14040/44 standards and is a comprehensive environmental evaluation. 

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology for assessing the environmental impacts associated with the entire life cycle of a particular product or process, in our case - building or construction materials. LCA typically consists of 4 stages: Goal and Scope, Inventory Analysis, Impact Assessment, review/presentation. All of them must follow similar procedures to a Product Category Rules (PCR) and provide an understanding of building sustainability, help to evaluate the carbon emissions, and natural resources of a product or process. LCA information is required to create an EPD.

EPD is a shorter and verified report on one product - it is easier to understand and communicate information via EPD to stakeholders. Because EPDs are usually published aka made publicly available and might be used for marketing purposes, they do not contain sensitive company details or product information.

Who Benefits from EPDs and How?

• Building Life Cycle Assessment: EPDs are essential for conducting comprehensive building life cycle assessments (LCA).
• Low-Impact Building Design: They offer insights into reference service life and maintenance impacts, aiding architects in designing for durability and adaptability.
• Circular Economy Design: EPDs detail the use of secondary materials, renewable energy, and the product's recoverability, enabling circular economy-focused designs.
• Product Comparison: Using the same Product Category Rules, EPDs allow for easy comparison across similar products when considering their building application.
• Specification: Specifiers can incorporate EPD data into performance specifications, ensuring environmental performance requirements are met.
• Procurement: EPDs provide vital information for product procurement, ensuring environmental performance has been independently verified.
• Supply Chain: EPD verification encompasses data from the entire supply chain, highlighting areas for improvement and ensuring data integrity.
• Marketing: EPDs help businesses make credible environmental claims, enhancing product credibility and facilitating comparisons.