What is an EPD? A complete guide

Renewable energy is one of the key areas of modern technological development. With growing environmental awareness and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, more and more attention is being paid to sustainable technologies. One of the important concepts in this field is EPD what is it, which stands for Environmental Product Declaration. In Poland, as in other European countries, EPD is becoming the standard for assessing and presenting the environmental impact of products.

Official definition of EPD

EPD what is it? In the simplest terms, an environmental product declaration (EPD ) is a document that presents quantitative information on the environmental impact of a product at various stages of its life cycle. Such a declaration contains data on energy consumption, emissions and other environmental impacts, analyzed based on international standards such as ISO 14025.

The main objectives of the EPD are:

To inform consumers and stakeholders about the environmental impact of a product.
Enable comparison of different products in terms of their environmental footprint.
To support responsible consumer decisions and in the design phase.

How is an EPD created?

The process of creating an EPD is complex and requires the involvement of many specialists. It includes several key stages:

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) - LCA analysis, based on ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, is the basis for calculating a product's environmental impact. It covers all stages of a product's life cycle: from raw material extraction, production, distribution, use and disposal.
Data collection - At this stage, all the necessary information on the production process, raw material consumption, energy, emissions and waste is collected.
Development of the declaration - Based on the LCA analysis, a report is created, which must comply with ISO standards.
Third-party verification - The declaration is verified by an independent certifier, ensuring its credibility and compliance with international standards.

Benefits of epd implementation

There are many benefits to implementing an EPD, both for manufacturers, consumers and the environment.

For manufacturers

Increase brand prestige - Products labeled with EPDs are perceived as more environmentally friendly, which can benefit a company's image.
Competitiveness in the market - As interest in green products grows, having an EPD can be a competitive advantage.
Process optimization - LCA analysis can identify production steps that can be optimized from an environmental perspective.
Regulatory compliance - More and more markets are requiring this type of declaration as a condition of access to their markets, which can open up new commercial opportunities.

For consumers

Informed purchasing decisions - With EPDs, consumers can make purchasing choices based on reliable information about the environmental impact of products.
Product comparison - EPDs make it easy to compare different products in terms of their environmental footprint.

For the environment

Reducing negative impacts - Implementation of the EPD contributes to reducing emissions, raw material and energy consumption.
Promoting sustainability - Through transparency and environmental responsibility, EPD supports sustainability efforts.

Application of the EPD in poland

As a member of the European Union, Poland is required to comply with numerous environmental regulations. EPD is becoming an increasingly popular tool in various sectors of the economy.

Construction industry

In the construction industry, EPDs play a particularly important role. Building materials such as concrete, steel, wood and thermal insulation are increasingly becoming subject to LCA analysis and obtaining environmental declarations. As a result, builders can choose materials with a lower carbon footprint, resulting in greener buildings.

Manufacturing industry

The manufacturing industry also benefits from the implementation of EPDs . Companies that produce auto parts, electronics and even food products are becoming more aware of their environmental impact. EPDs help them optimize their processes, reduce waste and emissions, and promote their products as greener.

Public administration

Polish public institutions are also beginning to pay attention to EPDs in the context of public procurement. Preferring products with environmental declarations in tenders supports sustainability and promotes environmental responsibility among suppliers.

Examples of EPDs in practice

Environmental declarations are already widely used in various industries. Here are some examples:

Concrete plants

Poland's concrete industry is successfully implementing EPDs , helping to reduce the carbon footprint of this commonly used building material.

Electronics manufacturers

Companies such as Apple and Samsung place a high value on transparency and environmental responsibility, and their products often have EPDs.

Energy sector

Energy companies like PGNiG and Tauron also use environmental declarations for their products and services, with an emphasis on sustainability.

Summary

A product's environmental declaration is not only an informational tool, but also a key element toward sustainability. With an EPD , it becomes easier for manufacturers and consumers to make informed and responsible decisions, and environmental protection becomes more effective.

We encourage you to further explore the topic and implement sustainable development practices in your daily life and business. Environmental transparency is the future that can benefit both the environment and society.