An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is an internationally recognized tool that provides reliable, comparable, and independently verified information about the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle.
An EPD is based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and is developed in accordance with international standards such as:
ISO 14025 – Environmental labels and declarations (Type III environmental declarations)
ISO 14040 & ISO 14044 – Life Cycle Assessment standards
EN 15804 – Environmental product declarations for construction products
This approach ensures scientific credibility, transparency, and comparability of environmental data, enabling companies to reliably demonstrate the environmental performance of their products.
An Environmental Product Declaration quantitatively presents the environmental impacts of a product across its entire life cycle from raw material extraction and manufacturing to product use and end-of-life disposal. In this way, it supports informed decision-making in product design, production, procurement, and sustainable development.
What is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) provides quantified information about the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle.
The data included in an EPD is based on scientifically documented Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies and is verified by independent third parties, ensuring the reliability and comparability of the results.
EPDs are widely used across many industries, particularly in the construction materials sector, as they provide transparent data regarding:
greenhouse gas emissions
energy and natural resource consumption
water use
waste generation
the overall environmental footprint of the product
Based on this information, companies can clearly demonstrate the environmental performance of their products and support sustainability and ESG strategies.
The International EPD System
The International EPD System is a global program for environmental declarations operating in accordance with ISO 14025.
Within this framework:
Product Category Rules (PCR) are developed
declarations undergo independent third-party verification
EPDs are registered and published in an international database
The system is open to organizations and companies worldwide and covers a wide range of product categories, including:
construction materials
food and beverages
paper products
furniture
textiles and apparel
chemical products
machinery and equipment
energy and fuels
services and infrastructure
The EPD Development and Verification Process
The development of an Environmental Product Declaration follows internationally recognized methodologies for environmental impact assessment.
The key steps include:
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the product according to the relevant Product Category Rules (PCR)
Collection and evaluation of environmental data
Preparation of the Environmental Product Declaration in accordance with international standards
Independent verification by an accredited verifier
Registration and publication in the International EPD System
This process ensures a high level of transparency, reliability, and comparability of environmental information.
Who EPD Development Is For
The development of an Environmental Product Declaration is suitable for companies of all sizes and sectors that wish to:
document the environmental performance of their products
enhance transparency across the supply chain
participate in sustainable construction and green development projects
meet requirements of international markets and public procurement processes
Organizations that already operate environmental management systems such as ISO 14001 or EMAS can integrate the EPD development process more easily into their existing environmental management framework.
Benefits of Developing an EPD
Developing and verifying an Environmental Product Declaration offers significant strategic and operational benefits, including:
transparency and credible disclosure of environmental data
increased competitiveness in international markets
support for ESG and sustainability strategies
compliance with regulatory and market requirements
contribution to green building certifications such as LEED and BREEAM
optimization of product environmental performance
strengthening corporate reputation and sustainable business practices
QLC Support for EPD Development
QLC – Quality Lean Center provides specialized consulting services for the development and certification of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), supporting companies throughout the entire process.
Our services include:
conducting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies
guidance on the application of Product Category Rules (PCR)
environmental data collection and analysis
preparation of the EPD documentation according to international standards
coordination of independent third-party verification
support for registration in the International EPD System
QLC provides extensive expertise in environmental management, sustainability, and ESG frameworks and supports organizations in leveraging EPDs as a strategic tool for transparency, environmental improvement, and market competitiveness.
Contact us for more information: info@qlc.gr · +30 2610 524 550 (Patras) · +30 210 444 9256 (Athens).