Executive summary
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardised report of a product's environmental impacts, based on life-cycle assessment and stated rules. It is a third-party-verified Type III declaration under ISO 14025. Buyers need evidence matching the product, factory coverage, quantity and project method. Manufacturers need reliable production records and a clear specialist brief. Agree the required function and scope before comparing figures: an EPD supplies evidence for an assessment, but does not certify low carbon or technical suitability, or represent a building's whole footprint. [1, 3]
Start here
Check the exact product and declaration, then agree what function and project stages the comparison must cover.
In plain terms
An EPD reports environmental impacts for a stated product and scope, including more than carbon. Check whether it covers the item that will be supplied and installed. Comparable figures need compatible rules, quantities, functions and project assumptions. [1, 3]
Quick evidence check
| Check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Product | Product and stock code, manufacturer, factory coverage; individual product or average. |
| Rules and validity | Standard edition, Product Category Rules (PCR), registration, issue and expiry; registry status. |
| Basis | Declared or functional unit, quantity conversion, service life and geography. |
| Scope | Lifecycle modules, scenarios, global-warming indicator, biogenic carbon and Module D. |
| Accountability | Programme operator (manages rules and registration), verifier (checks the declaration) and exact source link. |
Compare like with like
A declared unit is an amount, such as one tonne. A functional unit also describes the service provided. Compare equivalent function over a common study period, allowing for different service lives and replacements. A1-A3 covers production, excluding delivery, installation, maintenance and disposal. [3]
EN 15804 provides common construction-product rules. Its +A1 and +A2 amendments use different indicators and requirements. Do not mix incompatible results. Keep Module D, potential effects beyond the boundary, separate. Check the assessment method before combining datasets. [2, 3]
Recommended actions
A practical way to start, with suggested owners and timing:
Define the purpose
Keep the specification, required modules, standard and acceptance criteria for the project.
Buyer and assessor, before requesting evidence
Build the register
Link stock items to exact EPD versions, sources, coverage and expiry; keep the declaration and registry check.
Procurement or merchant data lead, before purchase
Check equivalence
Confirm performance with the designer and assessor. Record quantities, conversions, losses, service lives, replacements and excluded stages.
Designer and assessor, before comparison
Agree what to use when an EPD is missing
Record the assessor-approved generic data or substitute, why it is suitable, its limitations and the plan for better evidence.
Assessor and buyer, when evidence is missing
Prepare production data
Agree the specialist scope and programme; keep volumes, energy, materials, waste, allocation records and ownership.
Manufacturer, before commissioning an EPD
Example in practice
Illustrative comparison: A reports 100 kgCO2e per tonne; B reports 80 kgCO2e per cubic metre. Here kgCO2e means kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. B cannot be ranked lower from those numbers. Establish quantities for equivalent performance, then check modules and assumptions. These figures are illustrative, not product data.
Common mistakes
- An EPD treated as a green certificate: assess the evidence and technical suitability.
- Average or other-factory data treated as the installed product: verify coverage.
- An expired or superseded file used without review: check the registry and assessor acceptance.
How Reinventives can help
Our product and supplier data review can deliver a product-evidence register, targeted supplier requests and a gap list. For manufacturers, we can organise the production-data process and specialist handovers. Formal life-cycle assessment, EPD production and verification require appropriately qualified practitioners, programme operators and verifiers.
Sources and review dates
- 1.EPD International, What is an Environmental Product Declaration? Programme-owner guidance.
- 2.EPD International, PCR 2019:14 Construction products, version 2.0.1, 5 June 2025.
- 3.BRE Global, PN514 to EN 15804+A2, revision 3.1, 30 November 2023; sections 5.2-5.3.
Product Category Rules: The International EPD System lists PCR 2019:14 version 2.0.1; BRE PN514 revision 3.1 is another programme's rule set. Check the exact rules named in each declaration and the operator's current requirements. [2, 3]
Source scope: programme-owner guidance and BRE rules were reviewed; the full BS EN 15804 standard was not accessed.
Sources accessed and correct as of 9 September 2026.
Next scheduled review 9 March 2027.
Review when programme rules, standards, products, factories, specifications or declaration validity change.
This briefing is general information, not legal, procurement, engineering or assurance advice. Check requirements for the specific organisation, project and contract.