Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our FAQs on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and how they support sustainability, compliance, and green certification.

What is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardised, third-party verified report that transparently communicates the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle. Think of it as an environmental "nutrition label" for products. It provides objective, science-based data about a product's carbon footprint, water use, resource consumption, and other environmental impacts.

EPDs are developed following strict international standards (ISO 14025) and are based on comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. Unlike marketing claims, EPDs present neutral, verified facts that allow buyers, specifiers, and regulators to make informed comparisons between products.

What is the difference between an LCA and an EPD?

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the underlying scientific study that analyses a product's environmental impacts from raw material extraction through manufacturing, use, and disposal. An EPD is the standardised way to communicate the results of that LCA study to the public.

In simple terms: the LCA is the research, and the EPD is the final document. The EPD takes the complex LCA data and presents it in a consistent, comparable format that follows international standards and has been independently verified by experts.

Does having an EPD mean my product is "green" or sustainable?

No, an EPD does not automatically claim that a product is environmentally superior. An EPD is a transparency tool that provides objective environmental data. It shows the facts about your product's impacts without making value judgements.

A product with an EPD could still have relatively high environmental impacts, but the EPD demonstrates your company's commitment to transparency and accountability. Many companies use EPDs as a baseline to identify improvement opportunities and track progress over time.

How long does an EPD remain valid?

Most EPDs are valid for five years from their publication date. After this period, they typically need to be updated to reflect any changes in manufacturing processes, raw materials, or updated scientific methods.

However, you should check with your specific EPD programme operator, as validity periods can vary slightly between different programmes. Some programmes may require updates sooner if there are significant changes to your product or production processes.

Who verifies an EPD and what does verification involve?

EPD verification is conducted by independent, qualified experts called EPD verifiers. These professionals are approved by EPD programme operators (such as BRE in the UK or the International EPD System) and have extensive knowledge of LCA methodology and EPD standards.

The verifier reviews your LCA data, methodology, and draft EPD document to ensure they comply with relevant standards (such as EN 15804 for construction products) and Product Category Rules (PCRs). They check calculations, data quality, assumptions, and ensure the EPD accurately represents your product's environmental performance.

At LCD Consulting, our director Pat Hermon is an accredited EPD verifier for multiple programmes, giving us unique insight into the verification process and helping ensure your EPD submission is right first time.

What does it cost to develop an EPD?

EPD costs vary depending on product complexity, data availability, and chosen programme operator. Typically, you can expect to invest between £8,000 and £15,000 for a complete EPD, including LCA study, verification, and programme operator fees.

While this represents an upfront investment, EPDs typically last five years and can provide significant business value through:

1. Access to new markets requiring environmental transparency
2. Competitive advantage in green procurement
3. Compliance with emerging regulations
4. Enhanced brand credibility and customer trust

Can any product have an EPD?

In theory, any product or service with environmental impacts can have an EPD. However, EPDs require Product Category Rules (PCRs), which are industry-specific guidelines that ensure consistency and comparability within product categories.

PCRs exist for most major product categories, particularly in construction materials, packaging, furniture, and consumer goods. If no specific PCR exists for your product, a more general one can often be used, or in some cases, a new PCR may be developed.

What is a PCR and why is it important?

Product Category Rules (PCRs) are detailed instructions that specify how to conduct LCA studies and prepare EPDs for specific product categories. They define crucial elements such as:

1. Functional unit (e.g., per tonne, per square metre)
2. System boundaries (which life cycle stages to include)
3. Required impact categories to report
4. Data quality requirements
5. Allocation methods for shared processes

PCRs ensure that EPDs within the same product category are comparable, like having the same recipe format for all nutrition labels.

What are the main standards that govern EPDs?

EPDs are governed by several key international standards:

1. ISO 14025: Defines the principles and procedures for Type III environmental declarations (EPDs)
2. ISO 14040/14044: Provide the framework for conducting Life Cycle Assessment studies
3. EN 15804: European standard specifically for construction product EPDs
4. EN 15941: European standard on data quality assessment

These standards ensure EPDs are scientifically rigorous, transparent, and internationally recognised.

How do EPDs relate to green building certifications like BREEAM and LEED?

Both BREEAM and LEED award credits for using products with EPDs, recognising that transparency enables better environmental decision-making. These certification schemes typically award more points for:

1. Product-specific EPDs (rather than industry averages)
2. EPDs covering more life cycle stages
3. Products with demonstrably lower environmental impacts

For manufacturers, having EPDs can make your products more attractive to architects and contractors working on certified green buildings, as it helps them earn valuable certification points.

What is the difference between industry-average and product-specific EPDs?

Industry-average EPDs represent the typical environmental performance of a product category, based on aggregated data from multiple manufacturers. These are often developed by trade associations and provide a general benchmark.

Product-specific EPDs reflect the actual environmental performance of your specific product or product line, based on your company's real production data. These are generally considered more accurate and valuable because they:

1. Reflect your actual manufacturing efficiency
2. Can showcase superior environmental performance
3. Are typically worth more points in green building schemes
4. Provide better marketing differentiation

My product is manufactured in the UK. Does my EPD need to be registered in the UK?

Not necessarily. You can register your EPD with any recognised programme operator, and most major programmes have mutual recognition agreements through organisations like the ECO Platform.

For example, a UK manufacturer might register with BRE (the UK programme operator), the International EPD System (Environdec), or any other ECO Platform member programme. The key is ensuring your EPD complies with relevant standards (particularly EN 15804 for construction products) so it is recognised across European markets.

How long does the EPD development process take?

The complete EPD process typically takes 2 to 6 months, depending on data availability, product complexity, verifier availability, and programme operator processing times.

The key stages are:

1. Data collection and LCA study (4-12 weeks)
2. EPD drafting (2-3 weeks)
3. Verification process (2-8 weeks)
4. Programme operator review and publication (1-4 weeks)

Starting with good quality production data and engaging experienced consultants can significantly streamline the process.

What environmental impacts does an EPD report?

EPDs report multiple environmental impact categories, not just carbon footprint. For construction products following EN 15804, core indicators include:

1. Climate change (global warming potential), both fossil and biogenic carbon
2. Ozone depletion potential
3. Acidification potential (contribution to acid rain)
4. Eutrophication potential (water/soil nutrient pollution)
5. Formation of ground-level ozone (smog creation)
6. Resource use (renewable and non-renewable energy, water consumption)
7. Waste generation and outputs for recycling

Can I use my EPD in marketing materials?

Yes, but with important caveats. You must only make claims directly supported by the EPD data, avoid overstating or misinterpreting the results, and comply with relevant advertising standards and green claims regulations.

In the UK, EPDs can provide valuable evidence for compliance with the CMA's Green Claims Code, demonstrating that your environmental claims are substantiated by independent, verified data.

Ready to develop your EPD?

At LCD Consulting, we guide manufacturers through every step of the EPD process, from initial data collection through to final publication. With our director's unique experience as both an LCA consultant and accredited EPD verifier, we understand exactly what is required for successful EPD development.

Contact us today to discuss how an EPD can benefit your business.