EPD International Launches Fully Digital Environmental Product Declarations

EPD International has unveiled the first fully digital Environmental Product Declarations through its EPD Library, with companies in Italy, Switzerland, Finland, and Sweden leading the transition from static PDF-based declarations to dynamic, machine-readable formats. As of May 2025, 62 fully digital EPDs have been published.

From PDFs to Machine-Readable Data

The launch of digital EPDs changes how environmental product data is created, verified, and shared. Unlike traditional PDF documents, digital EPDs store data in structured, machine-readable formats that can be automatically integrated into design software, LCA tools, and procurement systems. Sebastiaan Stiller, CEO at EPD International, noted that the EPD Compiler simplifies the development process while enabling better decision-making through reliable, accessible data.

EPD Compiler Functionality

The EPD Compiler, released in January 2025, provides the technical foundation for digital EPD creation. Companies using the tool benefit from:

• Streamlined internal workflows for EPD development

• Improved data quality through structured input requirements

• Easier integration with other digital platforms and tools

• Compliance verification built into the development process

Early Adopters

Leading the digital EPD transition, several forward-thinking companies have published declarations:

• Building Products: Finnish company Purso Oy's Fire Door Systems EPD demonstrates how complex building products can be represented in digital format with aluminum components designed for residential and commercial applications
• Innovative Materials: Aconitum Swiss Sàrl's WAYNERR® Acoustic Sand Panel EPD showcases how specialty products—in this case, biopolymer-based acoustic panels using collagen-rich materials and quartz sand—benefit from detailed digital representation

Benefits for LCA Practitioners

Digital EPDs address several longstanding challenges:

• Automated Data Integration: Machine-readable formats eliminate manual data entry when using upstream EPD data in product or building-level assessments
• Version Control: Digital systems enable automatic updates when EPD data is revised, ensuring models always use current information
• Quality Assurance: Structured data formats reduce transcription errors and enable automated validation checks
• Regulatory Alignment: Digital EPDs align with Digital Product Passport requirements and support compliance with evolving EU regulations

ECO Platform Alignment

As a founding member of ECO Platform, EPD International ensures that digital EPDs comply with EN 15804 standards. All ECO EPD programs undergo audits to verify compliance with verification guidelines, providing confidence in data quality and methodology. ECO EPDs are recognized throughout Europe, offering broader visibility than single-program declarations. The ECO Portal datahub provides centralized access to digital EPD data, streamlining searches and comparisons across products.

Regulatory Context

The move toward digital EPDs aligns with broader regulatory developments:

• Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR): Requires Digital Product Passports with environmental data

• Construction Products Regulation (CPR): Increasingly references life cycle environmental information

• EN ISO 22057: Provides framework for EPD data templates compatible with BIM systems

• openEPD Format: Emerging standard for API-accessible EPD data

LCA practitioners and manufacturers should consider digital EPD development for new declarations to maximize future utility. Existing PDF-based EPDs may be candidates for digital conversion. EPD International's EPD Library provides free access to all registered declarations, and the EPD Portal offers guidance for digital EPD creation.