Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are essential for companies committed to transparency and sustainability. Applying for an EPD involves several steps, centered around conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Here's a guide to help your company navigate the process:
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) vary across regional markets due to differing regulatory requirements, environmental priorities, and industry standards. In Europe, EPDs align closely with the European Union's sustainability regulations, including the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). EPD International AB is one of the largest EPD Programme Operators (PO) for Environmental Declarations, with 7117 registered EPDs.
In North America, programs like UL Environment provide EPDs that cater to local sustainability standards and green building certifications such as LEED. In some areas, EPDs are required for specific products or applications. For instance, in the United States, the Federal Buy Clean Initiative and statewide policies such as the Buy Clean California Act require EPDs for specific building products.
Meanwhile, in regions like Asia and Australia, EPDs are increasingly adopted to meet the growing demand for sustainable products and align with international trade practices.
Understanding these regional variations helps companies navigate global markets and meet specific sustainability goals. Each region’s EPD program reflects local market needs and regulatory frameworks, making it essential for companies to tailor their approach based on where they operate or trade.
As a listed LCA consultancy firm with EPD International AB, GC Insights assists companies in selecting the most suitable EPD/LCA labels based on the product group and target markets. Contact us today at info@gc-insights.com to assess your journey towards sustainable product development.
Check out our latest guide to sustainable product strategies: Tracking Product Life Cycle Carbon Footprint - The New Norm for Sustainable Transitions & What to Know before Starting a Product Life Cycle Assessment?
Get your insights into navigating the complexity of the new supply chain sustainability regulation landscape here: https://www.gc-insights.com/report/navigating-new-supply-chain-sustainability-regulations%3A-assess-and-improve-your-readiness
Meanwhile, get up to speed on how to enhance your supply chain’s sustainability with strategic upgrades and technological advancements in these guides: Supply Chain Sustainability (I) – All the basics you need to know, and Supply Chain Sustainability (II) – Improve Your Supply Chain Sustainability. And for financial institutions, don’t miss out on our recommended ESG Due Diligence Process for Financial Undertakings