Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

An EPD is an independently verified and registered document that communicates transparent and comparable data and other relevant environmental information about the lifecycle environmental impact of a product. These include resource consumption of energy, water and renewable resources, and emissions to air, water and soil. The data is aggregated using multiple environmental impacts including contributions to climate change (carbon footprint), air, water and soil pollution and resource depletion.

The relevant standard for Environmental Product Declarations is ISO 14025. A type III environmental declaration is created and registered in the framework of a programme, such as EPD Australasia.[1]

EPD does not make comparative assertions implying that the product is environmentally superior to alternatives. That judgement is left to the EPD user in the context of their product application. The standards and rules that an EPD must comply with ensure that products can be compared on a fair and equitable basis.

All EPDs registered with EPD Australasia are publicly available and mutually recognised within the International EPD® System, ensuring global alignment and broad market visibility.

Business-to-Business Communication

Businesses use EPDs in communicating product or services environmental performance. Government and business customers are increasingly asking for transparent and credible information on many environmental risk factors, covering all parts of the life cycle, for products they purchase.

An EPD contains the environmental information needed for a product, in one place, and in a meaningful and credible manner. EPDs give stakeholders the confidence that EPD holders are telling the truth about the impact of their manufacturing and supply processes.

Business-to-Consumer Communication

EPDs were originally designed with business to business communication in mind. However, companies at the forefront of supply chain transparency are starting to use EPDs to communicate directly to consumers.

In the age of consumer protection legislation, the key to making any environmental claims for business to consumer communication is to focus on being transparent and avoid making false or misleading statements. The environmental data in all Australasian EPDs is independently verified to comply with International Standard ISO 14025.

Whether the EPD is needed for business to business or to consumer communication, Carbon LCA Certified can carry out the necessary LCA study and develop required documentation to comply with the relevant standards and drive the process through to registration with EPD Australia.

Climate Declarations and Carbon Neutral Certification

A Climate Declaration is a stand-alone declaration of the global warming potential of a product. A Climate Declaration assists an organisation to better communicate and manage their carbon emissions. It refers to an EPD for full information including the global warming potential of their product.

When an EPD is registered with EPD Australasia, a Climate Declaration may also be registered by request. All Climate Declarations for holders of Australasian EPDs can be found by searching for the term Climate Declaration in EPD search.

[1] EPD Australasia, a limited company registered in New Zealand, is the Programme Operator and has the overall responsibility of the Australasian EPD Programme. EPD Australasia is a joint venture of the Life Cycle Association of New Zealand (LCANZ) and the Australian Life Cycle Society (ALCAS). The Programme operates on a non-profit basis in partnership with the International EPD® System.