The Importance of the EPD 

Especially the requirement for environmental product disclosure (EPD) is increasing in tenders for products used in the public sector. For example in the Netherlands, EPD is now mandatory. Companies are increasingly required to provide information on the environmental performance of their products and raw materials throughout the value chain. The environmental product statement provides ecological criteria for assessing the sustainability of buildings for green buildings, with a competitive advantage. EPD also helps companies to market their products. EPD covers a wide range of products from building products to textiles and food products, and is drawn up on the basis of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which the producer must provide when drawing up an EPD.

Three steps to your EPD

At the initial meeting, our experts define the technical and organizational framework together with you. Product selection, life cycle stages and system boundaries are determined on the agenda of this meeting.

In the second stage, environmental inputs and outputs are dealing with the life cycle process in the process analysis. In this process, the system is evaluated using the system boundary (greenhouse effect, acidification effect, depletion of the ozone layer).

The EPD is then verified by an independent auditor. We provide communication and coordination with the verifier. In the final stage, the EPD Certificate is delivered to the building material manufacturer and is recorded in the EPD database (Ökobaudat).

How can Kiwa help you in the process?

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) should be performed for EPD. Before we start the process, the producer ensures that he has all required data, the required external Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and his quality system in order. Depending on the product, the LCA follows certain Product Category Rules (PCR). PCRs are developed by experts and this expert committee is organized by the program operator such as Ecobility Experts from Kiwa, working according to international standards ISO 14025 and EN 15804. Calculations should be made by LCA experts with existing LCA databases. After performing the LCA, the data will be transferred to the EPD plan and subjected to external verification by EPD, Ecobility Experts. In the next step, EPD results are published in EPD databases such as ÖKOBAUDAT.



Certified by Kiwa

EPD measures the environmental impact of a product. Different sectors use EPD. EPDs in the construction sector must be included in the sustainable construction process, so a company needs EPD to be a part of the green building certification programs such as BREEAM, LEED, DGNB, BNB. Kiwa ensures that the certification process is done accordingly. To start this process, the necessary LCA should be provided, then the LCA can be used to draw up an EPD plan which is verified externally. Kiwa EPD provides LCAs for EPD verification and publication and fulfils the pivotal role in the process towards your EPD certification.

The advantages of an EPD at a glance

  • EPDs are important criteria for green building certification programs,
  • It is becoming mandatory in some countries, especially in the European Union,
  • Increase competitiveness - help you enter new markets and acquire new partnerships with EPD,
  • Responding to customers' needs - EPD allows you to respond to the needs of your customers.