Environmental Product Declarations for Sweden

EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) is a document prepared in accordance with ISO 14025 that scientifically and objectively evaluates the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle. The purpose of an EPD is to transparently present the environmental performance of products, enable comparison between different products, and promote sustainable production and consumption processes.

1. Data Collection

The first step of the EPD process is collecting the necessary data to accurately analyze the environmental impacts of the product throughout its life cycle. At this stage, information is gathered from all phases, including energy consumption in production, raw material usage, waste management, and logistics. It is crucial for the data to be accurate, complete, and consistent.

2. LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) Modeling and Reporting

The collected data is modeled using various software and databases to prepare the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) report. This analysis identifies the environmental impacts of the product throughout all stages, from "raw material extraction to the end-user" and even "end-of-life disposal." The LCA report is prepared in compliance with ISO 14040/44 and EN 15804 standards, forming the foundation of the EPD.

3. Preparation of the EPD

The preparation of the EPD begins with converting the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results, which evaluate the product's environmental impacts, into a format compliant with ISO 14025 and EN 15804 standards. The LCA analysis details the product's environmental impacts across different stages, from production to end-of-life disposal. During the preparation phase, a company-specific EPD document is designed following the rules and guidelines set by EPD program operators. Environmental data is enriched with graphics and tables to create a transparent, comprehensible, and visually as well as technically flawless document.

4. Verification

The prepared LCA report and EPD document are reviewed by an independent and accredited third-party verifier. This review ensures the accuracy of the provided information and its compliance with international standards. Once the verification process is completed, the EPD document is officially approved.

5. Publication

After the verification phase is completed, the EPD is published by the international program operator chosen by the manufacturer.

The publication of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) is carried out by independent EPD program operators that operate in compliance with international standards. These organizations manage the processes of verifying, registering, and publishing EPD documents on international platforms. Below are some of the prominent EPD publishing organizations worldwide.

An EPD document consists of the following key components:

• Product Description: Information about the product’s name, intended use, and production process.
• PCR (Product Category Rules): Rules and methodologies defined for the specific product category.
• LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) Results: The environmental impacts of the product throughout its life cycle (e.g., carbon footprint, energy consumption, water usage).
• System Boundaries: The life cycle stages included in the assessment (e.g., Cradle-to-Gate, Cradle-to-Grave).
• Environmental Indicators: Detailed information on environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, acidification, eutrophication, and ozone layer depletion.
• Data Sources and Assumptions: The data used and calculation methods.
• Verification Information: Details showing that the EPD has been verified by a third party.

An EPD can be prepared for a wide range of products. It is commonly used for the following:

• Building Materials: Concrete, steel, glass, insulation materials, paint.
• Consumer Products: Electronic devices, furniture, textile products.
• Industrial Products: Machinery, equipment, chemicals.
• Food and Agricultural Products: Food items, packaging.

In short, an EPD can be prepared for any product whose environmental impacts need to be assessed.

EPD is based on the results of an LCA analysis. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to waste disposal. This analysis forms the foundation of the EPD, determining the product's environmental impacts such as carbon footprint, energy consumption, and water usage. LCA ensures the scientific accuracy and reliability of the EPD, while the EPD presents these results to the public in a standardized format.

• Environmental Transparency: EPD objectively presents the environmental impacts of a product, ensuring transparency between producers and consumers.
• Green Building Certifications: EPD can contribute to earning additional points in sustainability certifications such as LEED and BREEAM.
• Market Competitiveness: In a market with growing demand for sustainable products, EPD provides a competitive advantage for companies.
• Regulatory Compliance: It ensures compliance with legal requirements related to environmental declarations in the European Union and other regions.
• Benchmarking and Improvement: EPD helps measure a product’s environmental performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Therefore, EPD is a critical tool for achieving environmental sustainability goals and standing out in the market.

EPD Sweden, operating under ERKE, provides consultancy services for Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).

It analyzes the environmental impacts of products throughout their life cycle and prepares EPD documents in compliance with international standards. To support companies in achieving their sustainability goals, EPD Sweden offers services such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), carbon footprint calculation, and environmental data collection and reporting. With a proven track record of successfully completed projects from Saudi Arabia to Australia, our expert team helps companies gain a competitive edge in global markets and document their environmental responsibility.

EPD Sweden leads the way toward a sustainable future.