What is an EPD?
What does an EPD contain?
An EPD is based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) and follows international standards, primarily ISO 14025. In short, an EPD functions as an “environmental fact sheet” for a product, where environmental performance is presented in a transparent and comparable way.
An EPD shows, among other things:
- Climate impact (kg CO₂ equivalents)
- Energy use
- Resource consumption
- Waste generation
- Emissions to air, soil and water
- Information about different life cycle stages
For construction products, environmental impact is often reported per life cycle module in accordance with the EN 15804 standard, for example:
- A1-A3: Raw material extraction and manufacturing
- A4: Transport to the construction site
- A5: Installation and construction process
- B modules: Use stage
- C modules: Demolition and waste management
- D: Potential environmental benefits from recycling or reuse
How is an EPD developed?
Developing an EPD is a comprehensive process that requires both technical and environmental expertise. The process begins with the manufacturer collecting data about the product’s entire value chain. This includes information about raw materials, energy use, transport, production processes and waste management.
A life cycle assessment is then carried out, in which the environmental impact is calculated according to established rules. The calculations must follow specific Product Category Rules, known as PCR, which ensure that products within the same category are assessed in the same way.
Once the analysis is complete, the results are compiled in an EPD report. The report is then reviewed by an independent third party before it can be published. The external verification is important because it creates credibility and ensures that the information is accurate and comparable.
The process can be summarised in four steps:
- A life cycle assessment (LCA) is carried out.
- The results are compiled according to product-specific rules (PCR).
- An independent third party reviews the documentation.
- The EPD is registered and published in an EPD programme.
It is important to understand that an EPD is not an environmental label and does not state that a product is “environmentally friendly”. It only presents verified facts about the product’s environmental impact, allowing the user to make their own assessments.
Why are EPDs important in the construction sector?
The construction sector is currently the area where the use of EPDs has developed most rapidly. One important reason is that buildings consist of many different materials and products whose combined climate impact can be significant.
In Sweden, requirements for climate declarations for new buildings were introduced in 2022. The aim is to increase knowledge about the climate impact of buildings and create incentives for reducing emissions. By combining information from several EPDs, designers can calculate the total climate impact of a building.
EPDs play an important role in efforts to reduce the construction sector’s climate footprint. They make it possible to move from general standard values to actual data from product manufacturers. This leads to greater precision and strengthens the incentives for manufacturers to develop products with a lower environmental impact.
As climate requirements for buildings increase, EPDs become an important basis for decision-making. They make it possible to compare different material solutions and identify alternatives with a lower environmental impact.
EPDs are used within the construction and property sector for:
- Climate calculations for buildings
- Comparisons between construction products
- Procurement and setting requirements
- Environmental certifications
- Climate declarations
- Reporting in accordance with new EU regulations
Demand is increasing significantly as a result of both market requirements and legislation. EPD data is becoming increasingly important when selecting materials and products.
EPDs and sustainability certifications
Many of today’s sustainability certifications use EPDs as an important source of information.Certification systems often reward the use of documented products or require information about a building’s environmental performance.
Examples include:
- Miljöbyggnad
- BREEAM
- LEED
- DGNB
To view EPD data for a specific product, search for it in our open search engine, Search. Open the product and view its data and the requirements it meets.