EPD or Environmental Product Declaration is a standardised and verified document that provides transparent and comparable information about the environmental performance of a product. EPDs are typically based on a methodology called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which evaluates the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its life cycle.

EPDs are essential for companies because they help demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and provide a competitive advantage by allowing them to differentiate their products from those of their competitors. In addition, EPDs can help companies identify areas where they can improve the environmental performance of their products, leading to cost savings and environmental benefits.

Furthermore, EPDs can be used to support environmental labeling schemes, such as ecolabels, which can help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions. By providing transparent and comparable information about the environmental performance of products, EPDs can help consumers choose products that are more environmentally friendly.

Finally, EPDs can be used to support sustainability reporting and other sustainability initiatives. By providing credible and standardised information about the environmental performance of products, EPDs can help companies measure and report on their environmental performance and progress towards sustainability goals.

Procurement & Supply chains: EPDs are valuable within a procurement process because they provide transparent and comparable information about the environmental performance of products, which can help procurement professionals make more informed purchasing decisions.

By using EPDs, procurement professionals can evaluate the environmental impacts of products or services in terms of resource consumption, energy use, emissions to air, water, and soil, and waste generation. This information can be used to compare the environmental performance of different products and services, helping procurement professionals select products that have lower environmental impacts.

In addition, EPDs can be used to support sustainable procurement policies and goals. By incorporating EPDs into their procurement processes, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and promote the use of environmentally friendly products and services. This can help organisations reduce their environmental footprint, comply with regulations, and meet sustainability targets.

EPDs can also help procurement professionals to identify areas where they can work with suppliers to improve the environmental performance of products or services. By collaborating with suppliers to address environmental issues identified in the EPD, procurement professionals can encourage continuous improvement and foster innovation in the development of more sustainable products and services.

In summary, EPDs are valuable within a procurement process because they provide transparent and comparable information about the environmental performance of products, support sustainable procurement policies and goals, and help identify opportunities for collaboration and continuous improvement with suppliers.