Creating and Publishing an EPD

Creating an Environmental Product Declaration requires careful planning, rigorous data collection, and third-party verification. This lesson walks through the complete process from initial planning to published EPD.

Overview: The EPD Development Timeline

A typical EPD project follows this timeline:

Total timeline: 4-8 months depending on complexity and data availability.

Phase 1: Planning and Preparation

Step 1.1: Define Your Goals

Before starting, clarify why you're creating an EPD:

• Market access: Required by customers or regulations?
• Competitive differentiation: Demonstrating environmental leadership?
• Internal improvement: Using LCA to identify reduction opportunities?
• Regulatory compliance: Meeting Buy Clean or similar requirements?

Your goals influence decisions about scope, program operator, and investment level.

Step 1.2: Select a Program Operator

Consider these factors when choosing:

Step 1.3: Identify the Applicable PCR

Search the program operator's PCR library for your product category:

1. Find PCRs covering your product type
2. Verify the PCR is current (not expired)
3. Review scope definitions to confirm your product fits
4. Note any sub-categories or product groups

If no PCR exists, discuss options with the program operator:

• Use general program rules
• Initiate PCR development
• Wait for planned PCRs

Step 1.4: Assemble Your Team

EPD projects typically require:

Internal resources:

• Product/process expert (knows manufacturing details)
• Data coordinator (gathers production data)
• Project manager (coordinates activities)
• Management sponsor (approves scope and budget)

External resources:

• LCA consultant (if conducting LCA externally)
• Verification body (required for third-party verification)

Phase 2: Conducting the LCA

The LCA must comply with ISO 14040/14044 and the applicable PCR.

Step 2.1: Define Goal and Scope

Document per ISO requirements:

Goal:

• Intended application (support EPD development)
• Reasons for carrying out the study
• Intended audience (B2B customers, specifiers, etc.)
• Comparability intentions

Scope:

• Product system description
• Functional unit (as specified in PCR)
• System boundary (modules included per PCR)
• Allocation procedures
• Cut-off criteria
• Impact categories
• Data quality requirements

Step 2.2: Collect Life Cycle Inventory Data

This is typically the most time-consuming phase.

Foreground data (specific to your product):

Background data (generic supply chain data):

Step 2.3: Build the LCA Model

Using your LCA software:

1. Create the product system per your scope
2. Enter foreground data for your processes
3. Link to background database processes
4. Configure allocation methods per PCR requirements
5. Verify mass and energy balances

Step 2.4: Calculate Impact Assessment

Run LCIA using the method(s) specified in the PCR:

1. Select required impact categories
2. Calculate results for each life cycle module (A1, A2, A3, etc.)
3. Generate contribution analyses
4. Identify and investigate any anomalies

Step 2.5: Interpret Results

Before finalizing:

1. Completeness check: Are all significant flows included?
2. Sensitivity analysis: How do key assumptions affect results?
3. Consistency check: Were methods applied uniformly?
4. Contribution analysis: Do hotspots make sense?

Document interpretation per ISO 14044 Section 4.5.

Phase 3: Preparing the EPD Document

Step 3.1: Use the Program Operator's Template

Most operators provide templates ensuring compliance:

• EPD International: Template generator tool
• UL Solutions: EPD template files
• IBU: Structured reporting format

Step 3.2: Complete Required Sections

Product information:

• Manufacturer name and contact
• Product name, description, and identification
• Manufacturing location(s)
• Declared unit and reference service life

LCA information:

• LCA practitioner and date
• Database(s) and software used
• System boundary diagram
• Scenarios and assumptions

Environmental performance:

• Impact indicators by life cycle module
• Resource use indicators
• Waste and output flows
• Additional environmental information

Quality and verification:

• Data quality assessment
• Verification details
• Validity period

Step 3.3: Prepare Supporting Documentation

Verification requires additional documentation:

LCA report: Comprehensive technical report meeting ISO 14044 requirements, typically including:

• Detailed methodology description
• Complete inventory tables
• Full LCIA results
• Data quality assessment
• Interpretation and conclusions

Background documentation:

• Data collection forms
• Calculation spreadsheets
• Database references
• Correspondence on methodology decisions

Phase 4: Third-Party Verification

Step 4.1: Select a Verifier

Verifiers must be approved by your program operator. Select based on:

• Accreditation status
• Experience with your product category
• Availability and timeline
• Cost

Step 4.2: Understand the Verification Process

Verification includes:

Document review:

• EPD content and completeness
• LCA methodology compliance
• PCR conformance
• Data quality adequacy

Calculation verification:

• LCA model review
• Spot-check calculations
• Database appropriateness
• LCIA method application

Optional site visit:

• Verify data sources
• Understand processes
• Confirm representativeness

Step 4.3: Respond to Verifier Comments

Verifiers typically issue:

• Minor comments: Documentation clarifications, formatting
• Major comments: Methodological issues, data concerns
• Non-conformances: Must be resolved before approval

Respond systematically to each comment with:

• Actions taken
• Justification if no change made
• Evidence of corrections

Step 4.4: Obtain Verification Statement

After satisfactory resolution:

1. Verifier issues verification statement
2. Statement includes verifier details and conformance declaration
3. Statement is incorporated into EPD

Phase 5: Publication and Maintenance

Step 5.1: Register with Program Operator

Submit to program operator:

• Final EPD document
• Verification statement
• Registration fee
• Any required declarations

Step 5.2: Publication

The program operator will:

1. Review submission for completeness
2. Assign registration number
3. Publish on their EPD library
4. Issue publication confirmation

Your EPD is now publicly available and can be shared with customers.

Step 5.3: Ongoing Maintenance

EPDs require ongoing attention:

Validity period: Typically 5 years, but may require annual confirmation that data remains representative.

Updates required when:

• Production process changes significantly
• Impact results change more than threshold (often 10%)
• PCR is updated with new requirements
• Errors are identified

Renewal process:

• Update LCA with current data
• Re-verify if changes exceed thresholds
• Submit renewal to program operator

Cost Considerations

EPD projects vary widely in cost:

Total first-year cost: $20,000-100,000+ depending on complexity.

Cost reduction strategies:

• Develop EPDs for product families, not individual products
• Use industry-average EPDs where available
• Conduct LCA internally if you have expertise
• Participate in industry EPD programs with shared costs

Key Takeaways

1. EPD development typically takes 4-8 months from start to publication
2. Select program operator and PCR early—they determine methodology requirements
3. Data collection is usually the most time-intensive phase
4. Build relationships with verifiers who understand your product category
5. Budget for ongoing maintenance, not just initial development

Practice Checklist

Before starting your EPD project, verify:

• Clear goal and business case defined
• Program operator selected
• Applicable PCR identified and reviewed
• Internal resources assigned
• Budget approved
• Timeline realistic for data collection needs
• Verifier identified and available

What's Next?

The final lesson in this track provides a comprehensive resource list of program operators, PCR databases, and support organizations for your EPD development work.

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Further Reading

• ISO 14025:2006 Environmental labels and declarations — Type III environmental declarations
• EPD International Guidance Documents
• UL Solutions EPD Guide