Use an EPD to quantifiably demonstrate the environmental performance of your construction or manufactured product.
An EPD helps to answer a crucial sustainability question – how does your product perform in different stages of its life cycle? It’s an objective report, which summarises a life cycle assessment (LCA). An EPD studies what your product is made of and how it impacts the environment across its entire lifecycle.
EPDs are becoming standard in product manufacture and construction and are often demanded within supply chains and by investors. They provide data on a product’s environmental impact, such as resource consumption, energy use, waste generation and emissions to air, water and soil in line with the European Standard EN 15804, ISO 14025 and other relevant international standards.
An Environmental Product Declaration will...
- Offer commercial advantage, especially when clients are asking about the environmental performance and impact of products over their life cycle. EPDs are also crucial when architects, designers and specifiers demand them as part of their procurement process.
- Prepare manufacturers for upcoming legislation, such as EU and UK CBAM, EU Green Claims Directive, and others where failure to comply will increase operating costs.
- Support building assessment schemes, such as BREEAM, LEED and WELL.
- For innovative products, an EPD will highlight the benefits of new and novel building materials in an industry that is increasingly focused on sustainability.
- Provide a benchmark of environmental performance on which to improve through greater energy efficiency, transportation reduction, product design and material supply etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an EPD?
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EPD stands for Environmental Product Declaration. It is a summary of the environmental impacts of a product. It is based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) which is carried out on a product and its supply chain. EPDs should be conducted in line with EN 15804, ISO 14025 and be third-party verified.
- Who is an EPD for?
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EPDs are used by architects, designers and engineers to understand the environmental impact of the products they are specifying on projects. EPDs are produced by manufacturers of products who want to be able to demonstrate the environmental impacts of their products.
- How much does an EPD cost?
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Costs vary depending on project complexity and the manufacturer’s decision on which program operator they wish to publish with. Part of Blue Marble’s service is to accurately scope a project before committing to a fixed-price proposal.
- How long does an EPD take?
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The most time consuming part in any LCA project is data gathering, in our experience this averages out at about eight weeks. Next is the LCA modelling and verification. An efficient project is usually complete within around four to five months.
- Software vs Consultant-led EPDs?
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A consultant-led approach is usually most cost-effective for manufacturers with fewer than 25 product categories. Consultants do the complex work associated with life cycle assessments, can find the most cost-efficient route to verifying and publishing EPDs and can project manage the process for you. For manufacturers with large numbers of products, it may be more cost-efficient to invest in a software solution and training-up in-house staff to conduct the LCAs.
Trusted by Manufacturers
Why choose Blue Marble?
- We have a substantial track record of delivering valuable EPDs for dozens of manufacturers in the construction sector. We pride ourselves on delivering quality work and many of our clients have continued to publish additional EPDs using our services.
- We recognise the cost associated with EPDs can be burdensome for some manufacturers, we like to think we are the most cost-effective consultancy on the market. We always look for the most commercially sensible option for our clients.
- We are agnostic towards program operator and LCA software and choose the best solution for our clients on the basis of cost, time and quality. We work internationally and can support clients with complex supply chains.
- We bring expertise from beyond the construction sector and can bring the skills of the wider Blue Marble team to bear to support our clients’ broader sustainability requirements.
Case Studies
Amron Architectural – using Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to maintain a competitive advantage
Sep 02, 2024
Amron Architectural provides the architectural and interior design market with creative metal solutions.
Rock Solid – using an Environmental Product Declaration to capture the benefits of a Circular Economy model
Sep 02, 2024
Rock Solid is a processor of Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) generated by Energy from Waste plants across both the UK and Europe. Energy from Waste plants are used across the UK to help divert waste from landfill, support a circular economy and contribute towards our ambitions to reach Net Zero.
Multipanel – a turnkey solution to producing EPDs, training and ongoing sustainability support
Sep 02, 2024
Multipanel is the UK’s leading brand of waterproof bathroom and shower panels. It offers a modern alternative to tiles, and is produced by Grant Westfield in Edinburgh, UK.
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Insights
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Mar 27, 2024
Costs can mount up if you require EPDs for a whole range of individual products, but there are strategies to streamline the EPD process to make it less expensive.
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Sep 02, 2024
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) aren’t just a way for your company to understand the climate impact of its products, there are compelling business benefits of EPDs too.
I need an EPD. What are my options?
Nov 09, 2023
The market for EPDs (Environmental Product Declaration) is booming. These are précis documents which summarise a product’s life cycle assessment, produced to a standardised format and (typically) third-party verified.