EPD (Environmental Product Declaration)
The product declaration on environmental protection is defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in order to measure the effects of a product on the environment throughout its entire lifecycle, using standardized Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods. The concept of the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is based on the ISO 14025 standard, which is internationally recognized and represents a globally acknowledged eco-declaration.
The lifecycle of a product encompasses stages from raw material extraction, through transport to the production facility, manufacturing, packaging, waste management, transportation to distributors, and final disposal.
The LCA study includes a detailed inventory of energy and materials required throughout the entire product value chain, process, or service, and assesses potential environmental impacts. The goal is to document and improve the overall ecological profile of the product. EPD reports are available in the International EPD System database.
There are several types of EPDs:
- EPD for a single company, for a specific product: These EPDs cover a specific product from a single manufacturer and are the most common type. They describe the environmental impact of the lifecycle of one or very similar products from one manufacturer.
- EPD for specific projects and products: These are useful when EPD users request specific data for a particular product or project (e.g., in public procurement). It requires the manufacturer to have an EPD for one product, which forms the basis for adapting it to a specific project.
- Group EPD: A group EPD can include similar products from the same manufacturer. Similar products from one or more production locations covered by the same Product Category Rules (PCR) and produced by the same company with the same major processes can be included in the same EPD, provided the differences between the declared environmental impact indicators do not exceed 10% between the products included.
- Sectoral (average) EPD: A sectoral EPD is developed by an industrial association and declares the average product of several companies in a clearly defined sector and/or geographical area. Products covered by a sectoral EPD will follow the same PCR, and the same declared unit will be applied.
The PCR (Product Category Rules) serves as the foundation for environmental product declarations in accordance with ISO 14025. PCR provides rules on how to develop an EPD for a specific product category, including guidance for the basic lifecycle assessment (LCA).
Companies implement EPDs to improve their sustainability goals and demonstrate their commitment to the environment to clients.