What is an Environmental Product Declaration?

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized document that communicates the environmental performance of a product or service based on Life Cycle Assessment. Think of it as a "nutrition label" for environmental impacts—a consistent, comparable format that allows buyers to understand and compare products' environmental footprints.

The Purpose of EPDs

EPDs serve several key functions in the marketplace:

Transparent communication: They provide verified, science-based environmental information without making judgments about whether a product is "good" or "bad."

Comparability: When products follow the same rules (Product Category Rules), their EPDs can be compared directly.

Market differentiation: Companies use EPDs to demonstrate environmental responsibility to customers, especially in B2B contexts.

Regulatory compliance: Increasingly, regulations require or incentivize EPDs for public procurement and green building certification.

EPDs vs. Other Environmental Labels

Environmental claims come in many forms. Understanding where EPDs fit helps clarify their unique value:

Type I: Eco-labels

Third-party certified labels indicating a product meets specific environmental criteria.

• Examples: Blue Angel, EU Ecolabel, Energy Star
• Characteristics: Pass/fail criteria, simple for consumers, criteria set by label authority

Type II: Self-declared Claims

Manufacturer claims about environmental attributes.

• Examples: "Recyclable," "Contains 30% recycled content"
• Characteristics: No third-party verification required, limited scope, variable credibility

Type III: Environmental Declarations (EPDs)

Quantified environmental data based on LCA, verified by third parties.

• Examples: EPDs registered with program operators
• Characteristics: Comprehensive data, comparable within categories, no pass/fail judgments

What's Inside an EPD?

A typical EPD contains several mandatory sections:

Product Information

• Product name and description
• Functional unit and reference service life
• Manufacturing location(s)
• Product identification (model numbers, etc.)

Company Information

• Manufacturer name and contact
• Production site(s) covered
• Date of issue and validity period

LCA Results

Quantified environmental impacts across the life cycle, typically including:

Life Cycle Stages Covered

EPDs specify which life cycle stages are included:

"Cradle-to-gate" EPDs cover A1-A3. "Cradle-to-grave" EPDs include use and end-of-life stages.

Additional Information

• Data sources and quality
• Scenarios and assumptions
• Additional environmental information (e.g., hazardous substances)
• Program operator and verifier information

The Standards Behind EPDs

EPDs are governed by a hierarchy of standards:

ISO 14025

The foundational standard for Type III environmental declarations. It establishes:

• Requirements for program operators
• Principles for developing EPDs
• Requirements for third-party verification

ISO 14040/14044

The LCA standards that define how the underlying assessment must be conducted. All EPDs are built on compliant LCAs.

Product Category Rules (PCRs)

Detailed rules for specific product categories that ensure EPDs are comparable. PCRs define:

• Functional unit requirements
• System boundaries
• Data quality requirements
• Calculation rules
• Reporting format

Who Uses EPDs?

Building and Construction

The construction sector is the largest user of EPDs:

• LEED awards points for products with EPDs
• BREEAM recognizes EPDs for responsible sourcing
• Buy Clean policies require EPDs for public construction
• EN 15804 standardizes construction product EPDs in Europe

Government Procurement

Public sector buyers often require EPDs:

• US Federal Buy Clean initiatives
• EU Green Public Procurement guidelines
• State and local sustainable purchasing policies

Manufacturing Supply Chains

B2B customers request EPDs to:

• Calculate their own products' footprints
• Meet sustainability reporting requirements
• Respond to supply chain disclosure requests

Retail and Consumer Goods

Growing use in consumer-facing contexts:

• Furniture and furnishings
• Electronics
• Packaging
• Textiles

EPD Development Process Overview

Creating an EPD follows a structured process:

1. Select a program operator that covers your product category
2. Identify the relevant PCR or participate in developing one
3. Conduct an LCA following PCR requirements
4. Prepare the EPD document using the program operator's template
5. Undergo third-party verification by an approved verifier
6. Register and publish with the program operator
7. Maintain validity through updates as required

The full process typically takes 3-6 months and costs $10,000-50,000+ depending on complexity.

Benefits of EPDs

For Manufacturers

• Demonstrates environmental commitment with credible data
• Identifies improvement opportunities through LCA process
• Meets customer and regulatory requirements
• Differentiates products in competitive markets

For Buyers

• Enables informed purchasing decisions
• Supports sustainability goals and reporting
• Provides comparable data across suppliers
• Demonstrates due diligence in procurement

For Society

• Drives environmental transparency
• Incentivizes product improvement
• Supports market transformation
• Enables evidence-based policy

Limitations of EPDs

Be aware of what EPDs don't do:

Not a seal of approval: EPDs report data, not performance judgments. A high-impact product with an EPD isn't "certified sustainable."

Limited comparability: Only compare EPDs based on the same PCR with equivalent functional units.

Snapshot in time: EPDs represent a point-in-time assessment. Products and production may change.

Incomplete scope: EPDs cover quantified environmental impacts but may not address all concerns (e.g., biodiversity, social issues).

Key Takeaways

1. EPDs are standardized, verified documents communicating product environmental performance
2. They're based on Life Cycle Assessment following ISO 14025 and specific PCRs
3. EPDs report data without judging whether impacts are "good" or "bad"
4. Comparability requires same PCR and equivalent functional units
5. The construction sector is the primary driver of EPD adoption

What's Next?

The next lesson explains the key organizations and documents that make EPDs possible: program operators and Product Category Rules. Understanding these is essential before creating your own EPD.

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Further Reading

• ISO 14025:2006 Environmental labels and declarations — Type III environmental declarations — Principles and procedures
• EPD International
• UL Solutions EPD Program