An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized, independently verified document that transparently reports a product’s environmental impacts across defined life cycle stages. It is based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and follows strict rules so buyers can compare products using the same methodology.
What Is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?
An EPD is a Type III environmental declaration that provides quantified impact results (for example, global warming potential (CO₂e)) using a defined functional unit (or declared unit) and specific calculation rules.
– It is not a marketing claim; it is a structured, auditable dataset presented in a public format
– It follows Product Category Rules (PCR) to ensure consistency within a product group
– It is typically issued under an EPD program operator and includes verification details
Why EPDs Matter in EV Charging and Infrastructure Procurement
EPDs are increasingly used to prove environmental performance in supply chains and tenders.
– Supports procurement decisions where buyers require verified environmental data, not estimates
– Helps meet sustainability requirements in public tenders, real estate projects, and corporate purchasing
– Enables reporting and benchmarking of embodied impacts for equipment deployed at scale
– Improves credibility versus self-declared sustainability claims
– Creates structured input for broader reporting frameworks and customer ESG requests
What an EPD Typically Includes
EPDs present results in a standardized structure defined by the applicable PCR.
– Product description, scope, and intended use
– Declared unit / functional unit and reference service life assumptions (if applicable)
– System boundaries and life cycle stages included
– LCA methodology, data sources, cut-off rules, and allocation approach
– Environmental indicators such as GWP (CO₂e), resource use, waste categories, and other impact categories defined by the PCR
– Information on verification, validity period, and the program operator registration
Life Cycle Stages and System Boundaries
EPDs define which parts of the product life cycle are included, making the boundary explicit and comparable.
– Upstream / manufacturing (materials, components, production energy)
– Transport and installation (packaging, logistics, installation processes)
– Use stage (maintenance, replacement parts, operational impacts if included by PCR)
– End-of-life (disassembly, recycling, disposal, transport to treatment)
The reported stages depend on the PCR and the EPD’s declared scope, so understanding boundaries is essential when comparing products.
How an EPD Is Created
An EPD is built through a controlled process that ensures repeatability and credibility.
– Define the product and select the correct PCR for the product category
– Perform an LCA using the PCR rules, including datasets for materials, manufacturing, and logistics
– Compile the EPD document using the program operator’s template and required indicators
– Complete third-party verification by an independent verifier
– Register and publish the EPD with the program operator, with a defined validity period
EPD vs Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
These terms are related but not identical.
– EPD is a standardized, PCR-based disclosure of multiple environmental indicators, typically third-party verified
– PCF focuses primarily on CO₂e (global warming impact), and may or may not follow a full EPD/PCR structure
For many buyers, an EPD is preferred because it is more comparable and formally verified.
Practical Use Cases
– Comparing suppliers in tenders that require verified environmental documentation
– Supporting green building and infrastructure reporting where product-level impacts are needed
– Creating credible environmental documentation for key products and configurations
– Providing transparent impact data for customers who require traceability and audit-ready evidence
Limitations to Consider
– EPD comparability only works when products follow the same PCR, declared unit, and system boundaries
– Results depend on data quality, geography assumptions, and manufacturing realities defined in the LCA model
– EPDs are periodically updated; older EPDs may not reflect current design, materials, or supply chain
– An EPD reports impacts; it does not automatically prove a product is “sustainable” without context and benchmarks
Related Glossary Terms
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
Carbon Footprint
Emission Factors
Environmental Compliance
Eco-Design
REACH Compliance
WEEE Compliance