EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) documents play a crucial role in sustainable building certification systems such as LEED and BREEAM. Here’s how they contribute to these certifications:
1. Role in LEED Certification
Materials and Resources (MR) Credits:
EPD documents contribute to specific credits within the MR category in LEED certification. For example:
- Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) Credit: LEED promotes EPDs to enhance transparency and assess environmental impacts.
- The use of products with EPDs earns points for this credit.
- Products must have EPDs that comply with ISO 14025 and EN 15804 standards.
Transparency and Environmental Performance:
EPD documents provide clear insights into the environmental impacts of products, helping project teams make informed material selections.
2. Role in BREEAM Certification
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Material Credits:
- BREEAM requires an assessment of materials’ environmental impact throughout their life cycle.
- EPD documents serve as key data sources for LCA analysis by documenting the environmental performance of products.
Health and Environmental Considerations:
- BREEAM encourages the use of low-impact materials. EPDs are essential in identifying and selecting such products.
MAT01 and MAT03 Credits:
- EPD documents contribute to MAT01 (Life Cycle Impacts) and MAT03 (Responsible Sourcing of Materials) credits in BREEAM.
3. General Advantages
Point Contribution:
Both certification systems encourage the use of low-impact materials, meaning EPD-certified products directly contribute to earning points.
Comparison and Transparency:
EPDs make it easier to compare the environmental performance of products, which is vital for sustainable material selection.
Market Advantage:
Products with EPDs gain a competitive edge in material sourcing for LEED and BREEAM projects.
Conclusion
EPD documents are essential tools in both LEED and BREEAM certifications, supporting the selection of environmentally responsible materials. They add environmental and economic value to building projects, making it easier to achieve certification goals.