Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
Itecons develops Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies, according to EN 15804, ISO 14025, ISO 21930, among other standards.
EPDs are voluntary tools for the communication of the life cycle environmental performance of products, presenting quantified and reliable environmental information. To obtain an EPD, the following steps should be followed:
- Selection of the EPD registration system;
- Development of the LCA study in accordance with the specific requirements of the system and the Product Category Rules (PCR);
- Preparation of the EPD based on the results of the LCA study, using the template provided by the chosen registration system;
- Submission of the EPD for verification by a third party;
- Validation and registration of the EPD in the selected registration system.
The selection of the registration system for the EPD should consider the markets in which the company is present. Some examples of European systems include: The International EPD System (Environdec), IBU, DAPHabitat, INIES, EPD Italy, EPD-NORGE, PEP ecopassport, and Global EPD.
EPDs grant several strategic and competitive advantages on companies in the construction sector. The main benefits include:
- Valorization of products on the international market, facilitating exports and entry into new markets;
- Participation in sustainable construction projects, where EPDs are an increasingly common selection criterion;
- Contribution to environmental certifications such as LEED, BREEAM or WELL;
- Anticipation of legal requirements, allowing proactive adaptation to new rules and regulations;
- Reinforcement of the company's environmental image, showing transparency and commitment to sustainability;
- Increase competitiveness of products, helping the company to be chosen as a supplier in projects with environmental criteria.