Declaring environmental impacts of products: The roadmap to EPDs · 2015. 6. 17. · Considerations for Registering an EPD • The process: – The verified EPD and the LCA are submitted

Declaring environmental impacts of products: The roadmap to EPDs

June 15, 2015 Presented by: Tara Leitan

Project Manager Environment & Climate Change CSA Group

CSA Group

+++Health+&+Safety++Energy+

Sustainability++Fuel+Burning+

Consumer)Product)

EvaluaSon+)Standards+

Product)))CerSficaSon))))&)TesSng+

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Topics

•  What are environmental product declarations (EPDs)?

•  What products have EPDs?

•  Why develop an EPD?

•  The roadmap – from PCRs to EPDs

•  Questions

•  Resources

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What are Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)?

•  Document that summarizes a product’s impact in multiple environmental categories

•  Also includes: –  Product description –  Declaration of product content –  Description of the life cycle –  Other environmental information (e.g.

certifications)

•  Based on life cycle information and data

•  3rd party verified

•  Primarily used for business to business communication

•  Follows ISO 14025 and relevant product category rule (PCR)

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What Products have EPDs?

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Who is Requesting EPDs and Why?

•  Building professionals and manufacturers

•  To earn credits for voluntary programs (e.g. LEED version 4)

•  To be able to compare the environmental impacts of products available for use in buildings •  Presented in a standardized manner and

independently verified

•  To access quality data for whole building LCAs or to complete an EPD for a composite product

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Why Develop an EPD?

•  To differentiate yourself from competitors

•  To meet bid requirements

•  To identify & reduce environmental & monetary impacts and risks = $

Source:+Armstrong+EPD+for+Cirrus®+Ceiling+Panels,+2012+

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The Roadmap – from PCRs to EPDs

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Step 1 – Identify an Existing PCR… or Develop a New One

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What is a Product Category Rule (PCR)? •  Document that outlines specific rules,

requirements and guidelines for developing environmental product declarations (EPDs – the “label”) for a particular product category

•  Key components: –  Definition of the product group –  Declared unit –  System boundaries (i.e. stages of the life

cycle that are included) –  Materials and substances to be declared in

the EPD –  Environmental parameter to be declared in

the EPD –  Validity period for the PCR and EPD

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How Do I Find a PCR for a Product?

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•  GEDNet (gednet.org)

•  Program Operator’s websites

•  Web search

•  Ask a Program Operator!

What if a PCR Does Not Exist for a Product?

•  Work with a Program Operator to develop a new one or adapt an existing one

•  Example PCR development processes:

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Step+ Adapt)exisSng)PCR+ Develop)new)PCR+

1+ Find+exis3ng+PCR+ Find+exis3ng+LCA+study+or+conduct+LCA+

2+ Convene+PCR+Development+Group+ Convene+PCR+Development+Group+

3+ Development+group+iden3fies+and+addresses+gaps+in+PCR+

Development+group+draÅs+PCR+based+on+LCA+

4+ Peer+review+panel+reviews+PCR+ Peer+review+panel+reviews+PCR+

5+ PCR+published+ PCR+published+

Considerations for PCR Development and Adaptation •  Parties involved:

–  Often a group of manufacturers or an association

•  Timeline: –  Varies depending on:

•  Complexity of product •  New development vs. adaptation

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Step 2 – Conduct an LCA

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What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

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ISO+14040:+Environmental*management*–*Life*cycle*assessment*–**Principles!and!framework*+ISO+14044:+Environmental*management*–*Life*cycle*assessment*–*Requirements!and!guidelines))

Considerations for Conducting an LCA

•  LCA conducted by: –  A consultant –  Manufacturer

•  Expertise •  LCA Software

•  The process –  The product’s environmental footprint is measured over

the prescribed life cycle stages –  Follows parameters outlined in PCR (environmental

impacts and life cycle stages)

•  Timeline –  Variable

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Step 3 – Develop the EPD

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Considerations for Developing an EPD

•  The EPD is developed by: –  Consultant –  Manufacturer

•  The process: –  The data produced in the LCA

summarized as the product’s environmental footprint

–  Other information required by the PCR included (additional environmental information, product content, etc)

–  Template for EPD often provided by Program Operator

•  Timeline: –  Variable

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Step 4 – Verify the LCA and EPD

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EPD Verification

•  EPDs and their supporting data must be independently verified

•  Program Operators must ensure that verifiers meet competencies outlined in ISO 14025

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Step 5 – Register & Publish the EPD with a Program Operator

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Considerations for Registering an EPD

•  The process: –  The verified EPD and the LCA are

submitted to the Program Operator for review and registration

–  The Program Operator often provides an EPD label to be attached to the EPD document

•  Timeline: –  Variable

–  Usually quite quick (e.g. days to weeks)

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Program Operators

•  Different types of organizations can become Program Operators

•  Two key functions: 1.  Develop PCRs 2.  Register and publish

EPDs

•  Ensure program is transparent and follows ISO 14025 and program operator rules

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How to Find a Program Operator?

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www.pcrguidance.org

Summary

PCRs •  Act as the bridge between an organization’s metrics and their

EPDs •  Standardize LCA approaches for an industry

EPDs •  Provide information on environmental impacts of a product •  Are increasingly used in North America

Program Operators •  Develop PCRs and register EPDs, in

accordance with ISO 14025

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