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What are Environmental Product Declarations (and why do they matter)?

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized document that provides comprehensive and transparent information about the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifecycle.

In the design and construction industry, EPDs play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions by enabling the comparison of different materials and products, facilitating the selection of the most sustainable options.

These declarations follow international standards, primarily ISO 14025, EN 15804, and General Program Instructions (GPI) v4 Requirements, which offer a way for manufacturers to communicate the environmental performance of their products in a clear and comparable format.

An EPD typically includes data on:

• Raw material acquisition: The environmental impact of sourcing materials.
• Energy use and efficiency: Energy consumption throughout the product’s lifecycle.
• Emissions to air, soil, and water: Pollutants released during production and disposal.
• Waste generation: Amount and type of waste produced.
• Water use: Water consumption during the product’s lifecycle.

Who uses Environmental Product Declarations?

Manufacturers

Manufacturers use EPDs to gain a competitive edge in the market. It gives them the opportunity to optimize product impact, market their products’ carbon transparency, and showcasing the company’s dedication to carbon transparency and environmental responsibility. This can enhance the brand’s reputation and appeal to a growing segment of environmentally conscious consumers and businesses seeking sustainable partners.

Since EPDs follow standardized formats, they enable easy comparison between similar products from different manufacturers. This helps consumers, design professionals, and businesses make informed decisions based on environmental performance. EPDs enhance visibility for manufacturers with environmentally responsible products.

Architects, engineers, and construction professionals

Architects, engineers, and construction professionals rely on EPDs to make informed decisions about the materials they use in their projects. EPDs provide a standardized way to compare the environmental performance of different products, facilitating more transparent and responsible decision-making in the construction process.

By analyzing the environmental impact data provided by EPDs, they can select materials that align with their sustainability goals. This not only helps reduce the overall carbon footprint of their projects but also enhances the sustainability profile, making their projects more attractive to eco-conscious clients and stakeholders. EPDs can contribute to overall ESG goals.

Sustainability rating systems

Several leading sustainable certifications recognize and often require EPDs as part of their evaluation criteria. These certifications include:

• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): Managed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is one of the most widely recognized green building certification programs globally. LEED awards credits for projects that incorporate EPDs to demonstrate the environmental impact of building materials, thereby promoting the use of sustainable products.
• BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method): Developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the UK, BREEAM is another prominent green building certification. BREEAM encourages the use of EPDs to assess the lifecycle environmental performance of construction products, ensuring that buildings meet high sustainability standards.
• Green Globes: Administered by the Green Building Initiative (GBI), Green Globes is a certification that promotes sustainable building practices. It recognizes the use of EPDs as part of its material and resources criteria, helping projects achieve better environmental performance.
• Living Building Challenge: Managed by the International Living Future Institute, the Living Building Challenge is one of the most rigorous sustainability certifications. It includes the use of EPDs to ensure materials meet stringent environmental performance criteria, pushing the boundaries of sustainable design and construction.
• WELL Building Standard: Administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the WELL Building Standard focuses on the health and well-being of building occupants. While primarily health-focused, WELL also recognizes the importance of EPDs in understanding and minimizing the environmental impact of materials used in buildings.
• Envision: The Envision rating system, developed by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), focuses on sustainable infrastructure projects. EPDs are used to assess and document the environmental performance of infrastructure materials, promoting sustainability in large-scale public and private sector projects.
• National Green Building Standard (NGBS): Developed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the NGBS provides guidelines for sustainable residential building practices. It recognizes the role of EPDs in evaluating and documenting the sustainability of building products, helping residential projects achieve higher sustainability standards.

EPDs are useful in building projects to ensure transparency, promote sustainable material choices, and support the reduction of environmental impacts in construction projects. By adhering to these standards, projects can achieve higher levels of sustainability and gain recognition for their environmental efforts.

Real-world applications of EPDs: case studies in construction and manufacturing

To truly understand the impact and value of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), it’s helpful to look at real-world examples where EPDs have been successfully implemented in construction and manufacturing projects. These case studies highlight the practical benefits of using EPDs to achieve sustainability goals, enhance project transparency, and meet regulatory requirements.

Case study 1:  Reaching corporate sustainability goals for new facility for supersonic aircraft assembly facility

Salas O’Brien is working on a facility for supersonic jet final assembly that utilized EPDs extensively throughout the design and construction process. Intentional from the start in product selection, this project included over 40 products with EPDs. By prioritizing products with lower carbon footprints and better lifecycle performance, the project is pursuing LEED certification.

Key takeaways

• EPDs facilitated informed material selection for 40 products, leading to a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
• Positions the project for LEED certification, demonstrating high sustainability standards.
• Aligns with the client’s culture that prioritizes sustainability.

Case study 2: Protection of firefighters in new airport fire station

A new airport fire station leveraged EPDs to protect firefighters from chemical exposure. The facility has four long bays for vehicles along with sleeping quarters, and administrative and operational spaces. The project team selected products based on their EPDs, focusing on those with low emissions—especially those in floors, ceilings, and interior finishes.

Key takeaways

• EPDs facilitated informed material selection for 30 products, leading to a significant reduction in chemical emissions.
• The project pursued silver, but received LEED Gold certification.
• The project benefited from reduced emissions and improved indoor air quality.

Case study 3: Rapid creation of 100 EPDs for a Fortune 500 paint manufacturer

A leading paint manufacturer undertook an ambitious project to develop and validate 100 EPDs within a six-month timeframe. The manufacturer aimed to demonstrate the environmental performance of their products and enhance their sustainability credentials. Our team provided third-party validation for the EPD process, ensuring accuracy and credibility.

Key takeaways

• Substantial savings with the EPD process verification certification.
• Rapid, focused EPD creation showcased the manufacturer’s dedication to sustainability and transparency.
• Meets key standards following ISO 14025, ISO 14044, and EN 15804.
• Improved market positioning by demonstrating leadership in environmental responsibility within the paint industry.

How the changing regulatory environment will drive the need for EPDs

Governments and international bodies are introducing stricter regulations (and related penalties and incentives) that require companies to disclose the environmental impacts of their products. This includes detailed reporting on carbon footprints, resource usage, and waste management. In tandem with this shift, there is a growing push for standardization and harmonization of environmental reporting practices to ensure consistency and comparability of data across borders.

Companies that proactively adapt to these regulatory changes by enhancing their EPDs will not only comply with new laws but also gain a competitive edge, access new markets, and build stronger relationships with stakeholders. As regulations continue to evolve, EPDs will become an indispensable tool for achieving and demonstrating environmental responsibility.

How Salas O’Brien can help

Salas O’Brien is a global leader in Stand-Alone EPD Verification, as well as EPD Process Verification. Our team conducts EPD Stand-Alone verification which focuses on the assessment and validation of a single EPD, along with the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Report. This involves a detailed review of the specific data, calculations, and environmental impacts associated with one product’s lifecycle.

Our team can also certify your internal EPD Process so that you can create EPDs under EPD Process Verification. This cost-effective approach allows for scalability for companies that produce high volume products. To talk about your project, reach out to our contributors below.

For media inquiries on this article, reach out to Stacy Lake, Director of Corporate Communications