Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)

Developing Environmental Product Declarations Based on LCA

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are standardized documents that communicate the environmental impact of products based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

They are widely used in construction, manufacturing and B2B supply chains to provide transparent, comparable and verified environmental information.

Green Analytics provides EPD consulting services and end-to-end support for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), guiding organizations from initial scoping and data collection to LCA modelling, verification and publication.

As an EPD consultant, Green Analytics supports companies in defining the most appropriate approach for their products, including system boundaries, declared units, product grouping (individual vs. family EPDs) and alignment with EN 15804 requirements.

EPD Standards and Methodology

EPDs are developed based on:

• ISO 14025 – Type III environmental declarations,
• EN 15804 – Product category rules for construction products,
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies according to ISO 14040 / 14044

Depending on the product and scope, EPD development typically includes:

• definition of system boundaries (A1–A3, optionally A4–D);
• modelling of raw materials, transport and manufacturing processes;
• use of verified databases and emission factors;
• calculation of environmental indicators (e.g. GWP, energy use, resource depletion);
• preparation of structured documentation for verification and publication.

EPD Consulting and Development Process

Green Analytics supports the full EPD development process:

1. Data collection and system definition: Identification of product scope, materials, processes and boundaries.
2. LCA modelling (A1–A3): Quantification of environmental impacts using recognized datasets and methodologies.
3. Data validation and consistency checks: Ensuring alignment between input data, assumptions and results.
4. EPD report preparation: Structuring results in accordance with EN 15804 and program operator requirements.
5. Support for third-party verification: Preparation of documentation required by verifiers (e.g. SGS, Bureau Veritas, EPD operators).

Common Challenges in EPD Development

Organizations developing EPDs often encounter:

• incomplete or inconsistent input data;
• unclear system boundaries;
• lack of traceability in LCA modelling;
• difficulties in aligning with EN 15804 requirements;
• gaps between internal data and verification expectations.

Green Analytics addresses these challenges by structuring data, clarifying assumptions and ensuring methodological consistency from the beginning.

Why EPDs Matter

Environmental Product Declarations are increasingly required for:

• construction materials and building products;
• public procurement and infrastructure projects;
• B2B supply chains and client sustainability requirements;
• green building certifications (e.g. LEED, BREEAM);
• transparent environmental communication.

A properly developed EPD strengthens credibility and enables companies to participate in projects where environmental performance is a key criterion.
Many organizations work with an experienced EPD consultancy partner to ensure efficient development, verification and successful publication.