Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) provide a standardised way of declaring the impacts of manufacturing, packaging, using and disposing of products. EPD are increasingly sought by designers and the wider supply chain to understand a product’s environmental impact and to calculate embodied and whole life carbon building assessments.
The overarching standard for EPD is EN 15804:2012+A2:2019. EPD are checked and verified by an independent third-party expert and are usually valid for 5 years.
On 5th November 2024 we were joined by experts to discuss several learning outcomes which included:
- Learning what metrics are included in an EPD – it’s not just carbon!
- What are the top 10 things to look at in an EPD?
- How many EPD are there and where can you find them?
- Can you make comparisons with other EPD?
- How do they benefit the manufacturer and how much do they cost?
Speakers
Recording
Webinar summary
Frank Hovorka discussed the European Union’s new regulation on digital product passports, emphasizing the need for standardized EPDs by 2034-2035. Jane Anderson explained the importance of EPDs in building assessments, highlighting the need for consistent data and the challenges of biogenic carbon storage. Mark Lynn shared his experience with EPDs for his company, Thermofleece, noting the benefits and costs involved. The session concluded with a Q&A, addressing topics like reuse and biogenic carbon storage.
Introduction to EPD 101 Webinar (00:00-07:50)
Frank Hovorka – Greenhouse Gas emissions (07:51-15:08)
- Frank Hovorka joins from Paris to discuss the importance of EPDs in the European context, focusing on greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity.
- He explains the need for data on greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of different materials and equipment on embedded carbon.
- Frank highlights the differences between CO2 emissions and other gases with warming power, such as CH4 and HFCs.
- He discusses the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the importance of using consistent units for CO2 emissions and other impacts.
Challenges and Regulations in Europe (15:09-22:16)
- Frank outlines the challenges in Europe, including the lack of EPDs and the need for harmonised approaches to data templates and data sharing.
- He explains the new regulation on digital product passports in Europe, which aims to create a standardized database for EPDs by 2034-2035.
- The digital product passport will embed environmental product declarations and help stakeholders access data on building materials.
- Frank emphasizes the importance of having a unique identification tag for products to ensure interoperability and data sharing.
Jane Anderson – EPD Overview (22:17-32:58)
Presentation – Jane Anderson, ConstructionLCA
- Jane Anderson, a life cycle analysis expert, provides an overview of EPDs, emphasizing the importance of product category rules for consistent measurement.
- She explains the different EPD programs in Europe and the common content and rules they follow.
- Jane discusses the life cycle breakdown in EPDs and the mandatory modules for product stage and end-of-life benefits.
- She highlights the global adoption of EPDs and the increasing number of EPDs available in various regions.
Use of EPDs in Building Assessments (32:59-57:22)
- Jane explains how EPDs are used in building assessments, including public procurement rules in Norway and Italy, and credits in BREEAM and LEED.
- She discusses the upcoming mandatory requirements for EPDs in the EU and the role of digital product passports in CE marking.
- Jane emphasizes the importance of using EPDs to counter greenwashing and the need for independently verified EPDs.
- She provides guidance on selecting EPDs, including checking the scope, functional unit, and data quality.
Mark Lynn’s – The SME manufacturer’s perspective (57:23-01:15:06)
Presentation – Mark Lynn, Thermafleece
- Mark Lynn, Managing Director of Thermafleece, shares his experience with EPDs and the benefits for product manufacturers.
- He explains the process of obtaining EPDs and the importance of transparency and objectivity in sustainability claims.
- Mark discusses the challenges of the EPD process and the need for internal buy-in and training within the company.
- He highlights the cost-effectiveness of EPDs and the importance of prioritizing sustainability in the business model.
Biogenic Carbon Storage and EPDs (01:15:07-01:29:42)
- Mark explains the concept of biogenic carbon storage and its benefits for products like Thermafleece.
- He discusses the challenges of balancing biogenic carbon in EPDs and the importance of dynamic approaches to quantify the benefits.
- Mark emphasizes the need to avoid using biogenic carbon as an offset and to recognize it as an input into a larger carbon sink.
- He provides examples of approaches to quantify biogenic carbon storage and the importance of accurate data collection and process mapping.
Q&A Session and Closing Remarks (01:29:43-01:31:13)
- Simon Corby moderates the Q&A session, addressing questions from participants about reuse, BIM models, and the impact of EPDs on manufacturing processes.
- Jane and Frank provide detailed responses to technical questions, emphasizing the importance of accurate data and consistent methodologies.
- Simon thanks the speakers and participants, encourages feedback on future webinars, and provides information on upcoming events and resources.
The webinar concludes with a reminder to sign up for the newsletter and stay engaged with the Alliance’s activities.