Standards Used in Preparing EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) Certificates
EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) certificates are prepared in accordance with specific international standards to present the environmental performance of products in a scientific and standardized manner. Below are the main standards used in the preparation of EPD certificates:
1. ISO 14025: Environmental Labels and Declarations
- This standard forms the foundation of EPDs and defines the principles and procedures for Type III environmental declarations.
- It ensures that the environmental impacts of products are presented in an impartial and transparent manner.
- Emphasizes the verification process and the importance of third-party approval for EPDs.
2. EN 15804: Product Category Rules (PCR) for the Construction Sector
- Structures the environmental performance assessment of construction materials and products.
- Defines how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results should be reported in EPD documents.
- The most widely used standard in Europe for preparing EPDs in the construction sector.
3. ISO 21930: Sustainability in Buildings and Civil Engineering Works – Environmental Declarations
- Used for preparing environmental declarations for construction products and services.
- Provides a framework parallel to EN 15804 and is widely accepted in global projects.
4. ISO 14040 & ISO 14044: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- These standards define the methodology for analyzing the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle.
- The LCA results form the foundation of EPD certificates.
5. PCR (Product Category Rules)
- PCRs define the specific rules for preparing EPDs for particular product groups.
- According to ISO 14025, specific PCR documents are prepared for each product category.
6. Other Regional Standards
- ASTM International (USA): Contributes to standards for documenting the environmental performance of products in the United States.
- GB/T 24040 (China): Standards used in China for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
- CAN/CSA-ISO 14025 (Canada): The Canadian adaptation of the ISO 14025 standard.
These standards play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy, transparency, and international acceptance of EPD certificates. Compliance with these standards enhances the global credibility and usability of EPDs in various markets.