We have added technical support for obtaining the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) to our range of services, collaborating with an established consultancy firm FORETHINKING.
We believe that companies aiming to continue growing and maintaining a presence in the EU market must invest in sustainability—a requirement already mandatory in the Italian construction sector through CAM (Minimum Environmental Criteria) and CPR 3110/2024 (effective January 7, 2025). That is why we have taken a leading role in developing a clear, reliable tool to measure a product’s overall environmental impact.
We have already successfully supported two of our clients: PRACAL SRL e CERRATO SPA.
What is an EPD?
The EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) is an official, standardized document that transparently, objectively, and verifiably describes the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its entire lifecycle. Regulated globally by the ISO 14025 standard, it is classified as a Type III environmental label. It functions much like an “ecological ID card” or a nutritional label, but focuses on environmental parameters (such as carbon emissions, water consumption, and waste generation).
How it works and what it is based on
LCA Methodology: The data contained in an EPD must be derived from a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)—a scientific analysis that quantifies “cradle-to-grave” impacts, spanning from raw material extraction to the product’s final disposal.
PCR (Product Category Rules): To ensure that similar products are comparable, the study follows specific rules for each product category.
Independent verification: Before being published in an official registry (managed by a Program Operator, such as EPD Italy), the declaration must be validated by an independent third-party certification body.
No minimum threshold: Unlike labels such as the Ecolabel, the EPD does not certify that a product is “better” than another or that it meets specific environmental limits. It simply captures and communicates actual data so that buyers and designers can make informed choices.
What data does it contain?
An EPD report contains precise environmental indicators:
- Carbon footprint (greenhouse gas / CO2 emissions)
- Energy and water resource consumption
- Ozone depletion potential and water eutrophication
- Percentage of recycled material contained in the product
Why it is important and who uses it
The EPD has become a fundamental tool, particularly in the architecture, construction, and public procurement sectors. Designers and sustainability managers use specialized software—such as One Click LCA—to calculate a building’s overall impact, a process that relies on gathering EPDs for the specific construction materials used. Furthermore, in Italy, it serves as either a bonus factor or a mandatory requirement for compliance with the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) stipulated in public administration tenders.
