Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized document based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that communicates environmental information about products or services. Below is a detailed introduction:

I. Purpose and Significance

Transparent Information: It provides transparent, comparable, and reliable environmental impact information for market participants (consumers, purchasers, designers, etc.) throughout a product's lifecycle. For example, construction designers can compare different brands of steel or cement based on their raw material extraction, production, transportation, usage, and end-of-life environmental impacts.

Green Procurement: It helps purchasers (e.g., governments, enterprises) identify and compare products with better environmental performance, driving sustainable supply chain development.

Market Competitiveness: For manufacturers, publishing EPDs demonstrates environmental advantages, enhancing competitiveness among eco-conscious consumers.

II. Key Contents

· Product Basics: Includes product name, model, specifications, and functional descriptions (e.g., energy efficiency rating for refrigerators).

· Life Cycle Assessment: Detailed environmental impacts across all lifecycle stages:

· Raw Material Sourcing: Origin, extraction methods, and ecological impacts (e.g., deforestation for timber products).

· Production: Energy consumption, emissions (water/air pollutants), and noise/soil impacts during manufacturing.

· Transportation & Distribution: Transport methods, fuel use, CO₂ emissions, and packaging recyclability.

· Usage: Energy/resource consumption and emissions during product use (e.g., fuel efficiency for vehicles).

· End-of-Life: Recommended disposal methods and environmental impacts (e.g., heavy metal leakage from improper battery recycling).

· Verification: Third-party audits per standards like ISO 14025 ensure data reliability.

III. Standards & Regulations

· International: ISO 14025 provides a global framework for EPD creation and verification.

· Regional: Localized standards exist (e.g., EU requirements for construction products).

IV. Implementation Status

· Publishers: Manufacturers/suppliers issue EPDs after third-party verification.

· Applications: Widely used in construction, electronics, textiles, and food industries (e.g., LEED certification requirements).

EPDs are critical for global green economy transitions and sustainable consumption patterns.