EPD is a voluntary document. However, the European Union’s Construction Products Regulation (CPR) is gradually making carbon footprint calculations mandatory for construction products. Once the calculation and declaration of the carbon footprint become mandatory for a product group, the declaration of performance (DoP) will replace the EPD in the EU. Until then, the relevant data is presented in an EPD.
The results are calculated by stages and modules. This means that it is possible to clearly distinguish the impact of the production stage from, for example, the impact of product installation or eventual recycling.
The process of EPD development can be divided into fairly distinct stages. During the first two stages, the greatest workload falls on the manufacturer (and the consultant, if the manufacturer is assisted by one). In the next stage, a verifier must be involved in the process, and the final stage, EPD publication, is handled by the EPD program.
- Project preparation
- Data collection, analysis, and document preparation
- Verification of the EPD and project report
- EPD publication
Project Preparation
As with any project, the EPD development project begins with proper preparation. The first question should be whether the manufacturer has the skills and resources to compile the EPD independently or whether a consultant’s help is needed. A consultant helps navigate the complex guidelines and rules, but if the project is simple or the manufacturer already has plenty of experience with EPDs, conducting the analysis and preparing the documents independently may be feasible. The manufacturer is allowed to create an EPD without requiring a certificate, qualification, or any other special permission.
Next, it is necessary to determine which products require an EPD. Whether it is needed for the entire product range or only for the most sold product variation. Under certain conditions, multiple products can be included in a single EPD, either by using an average result or by representing all included products with the so-called worst-case variation.
The rules for averaging and grouping depend heavily on the requirements of the EPD program. This brings us to the next key consideration – the EPD program. Europe now has multiple EPD programs, and some countries even have more than one. Since EPDs are globally valid, manufacturer with no local programs can publish their EPD in a neighboring country’s program or any other program that is to their liking. Choosing the EPD program should be made before the data analysis and document preparation begins. Changing programs mid-project is possible but results in extra work and, in some cases, the need to redo parts of the analysis.
Although all EPD programs follow the same standards, they still have room to set their own additional rules. For example, Finland’s Rakennustieto allows multiple product results on a single EPD, while most other programs permit only one set of results per EPD. In addition to variations in rules and requirements, the pricing principles of different programs vary significantly. Some charge a fixed fee based on the number of published EPDs, while others also impose membership fees based on company size. The total costs can vary up to tenfold, making this a crucial consideration for manufacturers.
Data Collection, Analysis, and Document Preparation
Once the EPD program is chosen and the products to be included are decided, the next step is data collection. In general, data must be collected for a one-year period, which does not have to be a calendar year but should cover 12 consecutive months.
Information must be gathered on everything that enters and exits the factory, but there is no need to account for employees' commutes, marketing impacts, office maintenance, and similar aspects. EPDs focus on production-related impacts, which include:
- Purchased raw materials and their transportation
- Factory energy, fuel, and water consumption
- Production-related waste, residues, and by-products
The more information the manufacturer has about its raw materials, the better. Products with an EPD typically have lower impacts compared to conservative database values for similar materials. If a manufacturer uses materials with an existing EPD, these should definitely be included in the analysis.
Once the analysis is complete, the results must be presented in the EPD. Additionally, the EPD must describe the key assumptions underlying the analysis. Some EPD programs have strict rules on document formatting and design, while others allow more flexibility – such as allowing manufacturers to fully customize the EPD layout to match their branding.
Besides the EPD itself, a project report needs to be prepared. While the EPD is a public document, the project report is confidential and not subject to disclosure. The project report provides a more detailed description of the analysis and serves as a reference for the verifier.
EPD and Project Report Verification
As mentioned earlier, verification is a mandatory step. While anyone can compile an EPD, only an independent third party with the required competence can verify it. The EPD program oversees this process. Each program has its own verifiers, and some verifiers may be approved for multiple programs. The list of approved verifiers is usually available on the program's website. For example, here.
Depending on the program, the verification process may differ slightly. In some programs, the verifier is assigned to the project by the program, while in others, the manufacturer needs to find a verifier and arrange the necessary agreements independently.
Once the verifier is assigned or selected, they review the project report and EPD document and provide feedback. The EPD author has to then make the required adjustments. Once the verifier is satisfied and confirms that the EPD complies with all applicable rules and requirements, the EPD is verified.
EPD Publication
After verification, the next step is publication, which is handled by the EPD program. While there may be slight differences in the process between programs, the end result is that the EPD becomes publicly available in the program’s database.
beyonD publication
An EPD is typically valid for five years. If significant changes occur in the production process or raw materials during this period, the EPD needs to be updated. However, updates can also be made at the manufacturer’s request – for example, to change a product image, update the company name, or make other minor adjustments.
Once the five-year validity period expires, the EPD becomes invalid. If no significant changes have occurred since the initial analysis, renewing the EPD is a simple process. However, if substantial modifications have been made, the entire process, all the way from from the analysis and verification must be repeated.
This description applies to an EPD verified by an independent third party. Another option is for a manufacturer to certify its EPD development process through an accredited body. However, this approach requires the manufacturer to have in-depth knowledge of the topic and full control over the process.