What is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)? Differences between EPD, PCF and LCA.

In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, transparency regarding the impact of products on the environment has become a priority. With increasing consumer interest in protection environment and increasing pressure from regulatory authorities, the accuracy of ecological claims is crucial. However, the market faces problems due to the misuse of terms such as life cycle assessment (LCA) by companies that provide overly simplistic environmental assessments. This article aims to clarify Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), highlighting the importance of the differences between them and providing guidance for consumers to identify genuine environmental claims.

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a detailed, internationally recognized document that provides quantifiable environmental data about a product based on consistent rules known as Product Category Rules (PCR). EPDs, developed according to international standards such as ISO 14025, provide the environmental performance of a product in a standardized and reliable way. They report on various environmental impacts, such as carbon emissions, water consumption and pollution, enabling organizations to present the environmental attributes of their products transparently and objectively.

How does EPD work?

Creating an EPD involves several key steps – from the collection of data on raw materials to data on resource consumption and waste. This data collection is governed by the program operator and the PCR, which determine specific life cycle phases and impact categories. Once the data is collected, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is performed within the PCR. The LCA report details the methodology, assumptions and standards followed during the assessment, which supports third-party verification.

Third-party verification is essential to the credibility of the EPD and ensures that it complies with the requirements of PCR and international standards such as ISO 14025, ISO 21930 and ISO 14044. After verification, the EPD is published, making the environmental performance of the product publicly available. This validation process increases the reliability of the EPD and supports its value in green building rating systems, public procurement and regulatory compliance. It usually takes more than 6 months to create an EPD.

Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)

A product's carbon footprint (PCF) summarizes the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout its life cycle, from extraction of raw materials to production, use and disposal. It is expressed in CO2 equivalents (CO2e) and provides a clear picture of the product's environmental impact.

How does PCF work?

Calculating the PCF involves several steps. First, specific assessment questions or objectives are defined to ensure that the PCF assessment is precisely focused. A system boundary is then established from either cradle-to-grave or cradle-to-gate, which determines the range of life cycle stages involved.

Steps to calculate PCF:
1. Defining the question: Identifying the purpose of the PCF calculation, such as comparing products or identifying problem areas in the supply chain.
2. Determining the system boundary: Deciding whether the PCF covers the entire life cycle of the product or only part of it (for example, after leaving the factory).
3. Data collection: Collection of production process and emissions data. These can be primary (directly controlled) or secondary (model data).
4. Calculation of emissions: Multiplying activity data by emission factors for each phase within the system boundary. This inventory serves to identify strategies to reduce emissions.

PCF helps in reporting emissions, identifying carbon hotspots and implementing decarbonisation strategies. PCF typically takes 2-3 months to complete, but technologies like Arbor can speed up the process to minutes.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive method of evaluating the environmental impacts of a product, service or process throughout their entire life cycle. This assessment covers all phases from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling.

How does LCA work?

The LCA process is defined by international standards (ISO 14040 and 14044) and includes four phases:
1. Purpose and Scope Definition: Establishing the purpose and details of the evaluation, including the product, functional unit, and required level of detail.
2. Inventory Analysis (LCI):*Data collection and inventory analysis of environmental extractions and releases into the environment.
3. Impact assessment (LCIA): Classification and quantification of environmental impacts according to impact categories.
4. Interpretation: Discussion of results, assessment of opportunities to reduce impacts and avoid burden shifting.

LCA offers a comprehensive view of environmental impacts and provides important information to improve sustainability.

**Differences between EPD, PCF and LCA**

Each of these tools plays an important role in sustainability:
– EPD provides quantifiable data on the environmental properties of a specific product based on international standards.
– PCF focuses on product-related greenhouse gas emissions and helps identify and implement strategies to reduce emissions.
– LCA offers the most comprehensive view of the overall environmental impact of a product during its life cycle.

In an environment where there is a growing need for transparent and accurate environmental claims, understanding the differences between EPD, PCF and LCA is crucial. These tools help companies demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and contribute to achieving the goals of sustainable development.