Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are standardized documents that provide transparent and verifiable information about the environmental impacts of products during their life cycle. These statements (declarations) serve to evaluate and communicate the ecological properties of products and are based on life cycle analysis (LCA - Life Cycle Assessment).
EPDs provide detailed information on the impact of products on the environment, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. This transparency is necessary for the calculation of scope 3 emissions, which can represent 38-69 % of the product's total carbon footprint. Scope 3 emissions include indirect emissions within the value chain that are key to achieving zero targets.
EPDs usually focus on the following aspects:
1. Production: They contain data on the raw materials used, energy intensity and emissions arising during the production process.
2. Transport: They take into account the impacts associated with the transport of products from the producer to the consumer.
3. Use: They analyze the impacts of the product during its use, including energy consumption and emissions.
4. Disposal: They describe how the product should be disposed of at the end of its life cycle, be it recycling, landfilling or other methods.
EPDs are generally prepared in accordance with the ISO 14025 standard and are used to support sustainability, ecological design and responsible product selection. They enable manufacturers to communicate the environmental properties of their products and provide consumers with information on the basis of which they can make informed decisions. EPDs are particularly important in industries such as construction, where they contribute to the evaluation and certification of green and sustainable buildings. (Co2AI)