Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
EPD is a standardised way of quantifying the potential environmental impacts of a product or system. EPDs are produced according to a consistent set of rules – Product Category Rules (PCR) – that define the requirements within a given product category. These rules are a key part of ISO 14025 (ISO 2006) as they enable transparency and comparability between EPDs. EPD Australasia is an independent framework for business in Australia and New Zealand to provide objective, science-based environmental data and other information about their products and services. There are two alternatives for verification:
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EPD Individual Verification (most common): verification of LCA-based data, additional environmental information and the EPD, conducted by a recognised individual verifier, or:
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EPD Process Certification: verification of an internal organisation process that creates EPDs according to the General Programme Instructions. Only accredited certification bodies are allowed to certify an EPD Process.
The EDP benefits include quantification of impact across a broad range of environmental issue to reduce corporate risk and improve product performance, avoiding greenwashing and providing a sound basis for marketing claims, providing comprehensive and credible information for end user on environmental performance of products
How to create an EPD
Creating an EPD and getting it registered and published by EPD Australasia includes the following steps:
1. Find, or create, a relevant Product Category Rule (PCR) for your product (see here)
2. Undertake an LCA study according to the PCR
3. Compile the EPD Report based on the LCA
4. Get the EPD and background data independently verified
5. Registration and publication with EPD Australasia and the International EPD® System
Relevant associations