SpecTopics: Understanding EPDs
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are essential tools in the construction industry, offering standardized and transparent documentation of a product's environmental impact across its entire lifecycle. EPDs help architects and designers make informed decisions about the materials they specify, ensuring that projects align with sustainability goals.
What Are EPDs?
EPDs are standardized documents summarizing the environmental impact of a product based on data collected through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCAs evaluate a product’s environmental footprint from cradle to grave, including raw material extraction, energy use, emissions, transportation, and end-of-life disposal. EPDs condense and standardize this complex information, enabling stakeholders to compare the environmental impacts of different products, manufacturers, and processes. Once published, an EPD remains valid for five years, after which it must be updated to reflect any changes in the product's lifecycle.
The two most common types of EPDs in the commercial construction industry are industry-wide EPDs and company-specific EPDs.
Industry-Wide EPDs
Industry-wide EPDs are developed by trade associations or industry groups representing multiple manufacturers. These EPDs provide a general overview of the environmental impact of a product type rather than focusing on a specific brand or process. For example, associations like SPRI (Single-Ply Roofing Industry), PIMA (Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association), and CFFA (Chemical Fabrics and Film Association) may create industry-wide EPDs for roofing membranes, insulation materials, or other building products.
The primary advantage of industry-wide EPDs is that they offer a baseline for environmental performance across an entire industry by averaging the data from multiple manufacturers. This is particularly useful for comparing different product categories or understanding the general environmental impact associated with a particular type of product. For architects and designers, industry-wide EPDs provide a starting point for material selection, especially in the early stages of project planning when specific products may not yet be identified.
However, industry-wide EPDs have limitations. Since they aggregate data from multiple manufacturers, they do not reflect the environmental impact of any single company's products. This can be a drawback for projects requiring precise environmental impact assessments or for clients who prioritize transparency and specific sustainability targets. In such cases, industry-wide EPDs may lack the detailed information needed to make fully informed decisions.
Company-Specific EPDs
Company-specific EPDs, in contrast, are developed by individual manufacturers and provide detailed environmental impact data for their specific products. These EPDs are based on data unique to the manufacturer's processes, materials, and production methods. As a result, company-specific EPDs offer a more accurate and granular view of a product's environmental performance.
For architects and designers, company-specific EPDs are invaluable when selecting and specifying materials that meet strict sustainability criteria. These EPDs allow for precise comparisons between different products, ensuring that the chosen materials align with the project's environmental goals. Additionally, company-specific EPDs can serve as a key differentiator for manufacturers, showcasing their commitment to sustainability and providing a competitive edge in the marketplace.
However, developing a company-specific EPD requires a significant investment in time, effort, and resources. The process involves conducting a detailed LCA, collecting extensive data on energy use, emissions, transportation, and raw materials, and compiling this information into a standardized format. Despite these challenges, the benefits of having a company-specific EPD can far outweigh the costs, particularly for manufacturers who prioritize sustainability and transparency.
It is important to note that many manufacturers host industry-wide EPDs on their websites if they contributed data to the development of that EPD. However, just because an EPD is hosted on a company’s website does not necessarily mean it is a company-specific EPD. To identify an industry-wide EPD, check the cover page for the keywords "Industry Average." Additionally, you can see which companies contributed to the industry-wide EPD by reviewing the ‘General Information’ section under ‘Description of Company/Organization’ within the document.
Conclusion Understanding the differences between industry-wide and company-specific EPDs is crucial for architects and designers making environmentally responsible decisions. While industry-wide EPDs offer a useful benchmark for comparing product categories and understanding general environmental impacts, they may lack the specificity required for detailed project assessments. On the other hand, company-specific EPDs provide precise, product-specific data that can help ensure materials meet the sustainability goals of a particular project.
By leveraging both types of EPDs, architects and designers can make informed choices, contributing to the creation of buildings that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally sustainable.
To explore Carlisle SynTec Systems’ database of company-specific EPDs, click here.
Contact Chris Kann with questions.
What Are EPDs?
EPDs are standardized documents summarizing the environmental impact of a product based on data collected through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCAs evaluate a product’s environmental footprint from cradle to grave, including raw material extraction, energy use, emissions, transportation, and end-of-life disposal. EPDs condense and standardize this complex information, enabling stakeholders to compare the environmental impacts of different products, manufacturers, and processes. Once published, an EPD remains valid for five years, after which it must be updated to reflect any changes in the product's lifecycle.
The two most common types of EPDs in the commercial construction industry are industry-wide EPDs and company-specific EPDs.
Industry-Wide EPDs
Industry-wide EPDs are developed by trade associations or industry groups representing multiple manufacturers. These EPDs provide a general overview of the environmental impact of a product type rather than focusing on a specific brand or process. For example, associations like SPRI (Single-Ply Roofing Industry), PIMA (Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association), and CFFA (Chemical Fabrics and Film Association) may create industry-wide EPDs for roofing membranes, insulation materials, or other building products.
The primary advantage of industry-wide EPDs is that they offer a baseline for environmental performance across an entire industry by averaging the data from multiple manufacturers. This is particularly useful for comparing different product categories or understanding the general environmental impact associated with a particular type of product. For architects and designers, industry-wide EPDs provide a starting point for material selection, especially in the early stages of project planning when specific products may not yet be identified.
However, industry-wide EPDs have limitations. Since they aggregate data from multiple manufacturers, they do not reflect the environmental impact of any single company's products. This can be a drawback for projects requiring precise environmental impact assessments or for clients who prioritize transparency and specific sustainability targets. In such cases, industry-wide EPDs may lack the detailed information needed to make fully informed decisions.
Company-Specific EPDs
Company-specific EPDs, in contrast, are developed by individual manufacturers and provide detailed environmental impact data for their specific products. These EPDs are based on data unique to the manufacturer's processes, materials, and production methods. As a result, company-specific EPDs offer a more accurate and granular view of a product's environmental performance.
For architects and designers, company-specific EPDs are invaluable when selecting and specifying materials that meet strict sustainability criteria. These EPDs allow for precise comparisons between different products, ensuring that the chosen materials align with the project's environmental goals. Additionally, company-specific EPDs can serve as a key differentiator for manufacturers, showcasing their commitment to sustainability and providing a competitive edge in the marketplace.
However, developing a company-specific EPD requires a significant investment in time, effort, and resources. The process involves conducting a detailed LCA, collecting extensive data on energy use, emissions, transportation, and raw materials, and compiling this information into a standardized format. Despite these challenges, the benefits of having a company-specific EPD can far outweigh the costs, particularly for manufacturers who prioritize sustainability and transparency.
It is important to note that many manufacturers host industry-wide EPDs on their websites if they contributed data to the development of that EPD. However, just because an EPD is hosted on a company’s website does not necessarily mean it is a company-specific EPD. To identify an industry-wide EPD, check the cover page for the keywords "Industry Average." Additionally, you can see which companies contributed to the industry-wide EPD by reviewing the ‘General Information’ section under ‘Description of Company/Organization’ within the document.
Conclusion Understanding the differences between industry-wide and company-specific EPDs is crucial for architects and designers making environmentally responsible decisions. While industry-wide EPDs offer a useful benchmark for comparing product categories and understanding general environmental impacts, they may lack the specificity required for detailed project assessments. On the other hand, company-specific EPDs provide precise, product-specific data that can help ensure materials meet the sustainability goals of a particular project.
By leveraging both types of EPDs, architects and designers can make informed choices, contributing to the creation of buildings that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally sustainable.
To explore Carlisle SynTec Systems’ database of company-specific EPDs, click here.
Contact Chris Kann with questions.
Up Next
November 20, 2024
SpecTopics: Energy Comparison Tools Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3)
With the EC3 tool, thousands of digital EPDs are now available in a free, open-source database. As a result, building designers, construction companies, and material suppliers will be able to directly measure, compare, and reduce the embodied carbon in specific new buildings.
October 16, 2024
SpecTips: New Extended Warranty Options for EPDM
Carlisle has recently upgraded its EPDM warranty offerings with two major updates, including expansion of ballasted warranty options and a 40-year material warranty.
September 18, 2024
SpecTips: Roof Recycling for Tear-Offs
Through its partnership with Nationwide Foam Recycling, Carlisle accepts EPDM, TPO, and PVC membrane from both ballasted and mechanically fastened installations, as well as board insulation including Polyiso, EPS, and XPS insulation that meets dry and mold-free criteria.