International Environmental Product Declarations (EPD): The Complete Guide for 2026
What is an International EPD?
An EPD, or Environmental Product Declaration, is a standardised and verified summary of a product’s life cycle environmental impacts. An International EPD extends that rigour with global applicability. It follows international frameworks such as EN 15804 and ISO 14025, and allows products to be confidently compared and understood across borders.
For businesses navigating global supply chains, export markets, or international certification systems like LEED and BREEAM, an international EPD ensures consistency and credibility. It provides clear data, covering emissions, resource use, waste and energy, presented in a format that meets expectations in multiple regions. In an era of rising regulation and sustainability scrutiny, an international EPD becomes a passport into markets and pathways to compliance and brand leadership.
Why Should I Have an International EPD?
- Support global market access by meeting the requirements of buyers, regulators and certification systems worldwide
- Provide comparable, transparent data so your product can be confidently assessed against competitors in different regions
- Enhance credibility with independently verified evidence of environmental performance
- Strengthen your sustainability story by communicating environmental impacts clearly across borders
- Assist in winning tenders and projects where international EPDs are becoming a prerequisite
- Create long-term value by positioning your product portfolio for future regulation and market expectations
How Can I Get an International EPD?
Global EPD standards and programme operator rules vary widely depending on geography and sector. That is why partnering with an experienced EPD consultant matters. They will help bring clarity to complexity by:
- Understanding the differing requirements from programme operators across Europe, North America and Asia
- Managing the nuances of product category rules and compliance demands in multiple regions
- Coordinating with verification bodies, global supply chains and local stakeholders
- Advising on paperwork, translations and region-specific data needs
- Helping you leverage a cohesive, international EPD strategy to enhance market access and stakeholder confidence
With an EPD, you gain both technical knowledge and strategic insight. It is about more than the report, it is about building a robust foundation for your product’s success in the global market.
If you’re ready to speak to an expert about an EPD for your product…read more
Frequently Asked Questions about International EPDs
- What is an international EPD?
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An international EPD is an Environmental Product Declaration designed for global use. It summarises a product’s life cycle environmental impacts in a standardised and independently verified format recognised across borders.
- Do I need an international EPD?
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If your products are sold, exported, or assessed in multiple countries, an international EPD ensures consistency and compliance with different programme operators and sustainability certification systems.
- How does an international EPD differ from a local EPD?
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Local EPDs are typically prepared according to national or regional rules. International EPDs follow globally recognised standards, such as EN 15804 and ISO 14025, allowing comparisons across countries and markets.
- What products can have an international EPD?
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Any manufactured product, construction material, or packaged good can have an international EPD. We can help businesses from single products to entire portfolios.
- How long does it take to prepare an international EPD?
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Timing depends on the complexity of the product and the supply chain. We provide clear guidance and support to make the process as efficient as possible.