Understanding the Importance of Environmental Product Declaration (EDP)

What is an EDP?

An EDP is a standardized, third-party verified document that provides transparent information about the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its life cycle. It includes data such as energy use, carbon emissions, water consumption, and waste generation based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). EPDs help businesses, regulators, and consumers make informed decisions by presenting the sustainability performance of similar products or services.

Why Develop an EDP?

Sustainability and environmental considerations are crucial in business strategy, as there has been an increase in consumer demand that prioritizes decarbonization and pushes for environmentally responsible practices. While not mandatory, having an EDP helps businesses demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and environmental impact transparency.

It provides credible, science-based data on a product’s environmental impact, which can improve market competitiveness, support green building certifications, and meet regulatory or customer requirements. EPDs also guide product or service improvement by identifying areas for reducing environmental impact across the product life cycle.

Key Guidelines and Standards for EDP

When drafting or creating an EDP, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the guidelines and standards that need to be followed for effective transparency and compliance. Here are a few to take note of:

ISO 14025

ISO 14025 establishes the framework for Type III Environmental Declarations and sets out the principles and procedures for creating standardized, third-party verified reports based on quantified environmental data.

These declarations must be based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and follow pre-defined Product Category Rules (PCRs). The standard ensures consistency, credibility, and transparency across EPDs from different sectors and regions.

ISO 14040/44

These two interconnected standards provide the methodology for conducting LCAs, which are essential to developing accurate and comprehensive EPDs.

ISO 14040 outlines the principles and framework for an LCA, while ISO 14044 specifies requirements and guidelines for its execution, including goal definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment, and interpretation. Together, they ensure that environmental data used in EPDs is robust, reliable, and comparable.

EN 15804

EN 15804 is a European standard that defines core rules for EPDs specifically for construction products and services. It complements ISO 14025 by adding sector-specific requirements that address the needs of the building and construction industry.

The standard ensures that environmental declarations for building materials are consistent, enabling comparisons between products and supporting green building certifications such as BREEAM and LEED.

Product Category Rules (PCRs)

PCRs are essential technical documents that define the specific requirements for developing an EPD within a particular product group. They ensure that similar products are assessed and reported using the same rules, allowing for meaningful comparison.

PCRs detail the functional unit, system boundaries, data quality requirements, and impact categories relevant to the product type. Without PCRs, EPDs would lack consistency and comparability.

How to Create an EDP

The EDP process may vary depending on the business industry and the kind of product or service the EDP is being created for. However, it generally follows this step-by-step process:

1. Define the Goal and Scope: Start by clearly defining the purpose of the EPD, the target audience, and the product or product group it will cover. Determine the functional unit, system boundaries, and key assumptions to guide the process.

2. Identify the Relevant PCRs: Select the appropriate PCR for the product type. PCRs outline specific rules for conducting the LCA and compiling the EPD, ensuring consistency and comparability within the same product category.

3. Conduct an LCA: Carry out a comprehensive LCA and include data on raw materials, manufacturing processes, transportation, use, and end-of-life stages. Analyze the environmental impacts such as carbon footprint, energy use, water consumption, and emissions.

4. Compile the EPD Document: Using the results of the LCA and following the chosen PCR, compile the EPD. The document should include detailed environmental impact data, product information, system boundaries, and data sources, presented in a clear and standardized format.

5. Verify with Accreditation Bodies: Submit the EPD to an independent third-party verifier for review. This step ensures that the LCA and EPD comply with the relevant PCR and regulations, and that the data is credible, consistent, and transparent.

6. Register and Publish the EPD: Once verified, register the EPD with an approved program operator (e.g., The International EPD System). The published EPD is then made publicly available through the program’s database, allowing stakeholders to access and review the information.

7. Update and Maintain the EPD: EPDs are typically valid for a fixed period (usually 3 to 5 years). Manufacturers should update the EPD when significant changes occur in the product or production process, or when the validity period expires.