September 3, 2024 News No Comments

In the modern era, where sustainability has become an imperative, companies are called upon to demonstrate their commitment to environmentally friendly and responsible practices. One of the most effective responses to this need is the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). But what exactly is an EPD and why is it so important?

The EPD is a document that provides detailed information about the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle, from production to disposal. This document follows a series of international standards, mainly ISO 14025:2006 and ISO 14040 and ISO14044, which ensure transparency and comparability between similar products.

An EPD provides detailed information on:

  • Raw materials and resources used: from the origin of the raw materials used to the amount of energy and water consumed during production.
  • Air emissions and water discharges: the impact of the product on air and water throughout its life cycle.
  • Waste generated: the amount and type of waste produced by the product at each stage of its life cycle.
  • Recycling potential: The possibility of recycling or recovering the materials contained in the product at the end of its life cycle.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) offer numerous benefits for companies, fostering transparency and trust. Thanks to EPDs, companies can clearly communicate the environmental performance of their products, building trust with consumers and stakeholders. In addition, EPDs facilitate benchmarking, allowing companies to compare the environmental performance of their products with those of competitors and identify potential areas for improvement. In sectors such as construction, EPDs are increasingly required as a prerequisite for participating in tenders and projects, thus opening up new market opportunities. Finally, EPDs contribute significantly to sustainability by providing useful information to develop strategies to reduce the environmental impact of products, aligning with global sustainability goals.

How is an EPD obtained?

To obtain an EPD, a company must have a life cycle analysis (LCA) of its product or service conducted by a qualified independent body. The LCA is a scientific process that quantifies the environmental impact of a product at all stages of its life cycle, from extraction of raw materials to disposal.

Achieving an Environmental Product Declaration follows a rigorous process that includes:

  1. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): An assessment of the environmental impacts of the product throughout its life cycle.
  2. Compliance with ISO standards: The EPD must comply with the relevant ISO standards.
  3. Third-party verification: The EPD must be verified by an independent body to ensure accuracy and compliance with international standards.  

The adoption of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) 🌍 represents a strategic opportunity for companies wishing to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable and transparent practices🌱. EPDs not only enhance corporate reputation  by clearly and verifiably demonstrating the environmental performance of products, but also offer concrete benefits for continuous improvement 🔄.

With increasing environmental awareness among consumers 👥, EPDs become a key tool to stand out in the market and attract customers interested in sustainability 🌿. In this context, an EPD can be decisive for the commercial success of a product and for building a greener and more responsible future 🌏✨.

Alessia Biondo

Circular Team

References

The International EPD® System

ISO 14040:/006 – Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework:

ISO 14025/2006 – Environmental labels and declarations — Type III environmental declarations — Principles and procedures:

Written by Alessia