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EPD UK

At EPD UK, a division of ERKE Sustainability Consultancy, we specialise in providing Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) consulting services tailored for manufacturers across the United Kingdom. With a track record of successful sustainability projects across multiple regions, our expert team is here to support your organisation in meeting its environmental transparency and compliance goals.

Who We Are?

EPD UK delivers specialised Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) consulting services, powered by the seasoned experts at ERKE. Our team supports UK manufacturers in clearly and scientifically documenting the environmental footprint of their products, ensuring alignment with internationally recognised sustainability frameworks.

With a proven record of delivering successful EPD projects across various industries and countries, we act as a dependable partner for businesses aiming to meet global environmental and compliance standards.

Our core mission is to drive sustainable transformation by helping companies improve their environmental performance, reduce their ecological impact, and strengthen transparency in their supply chains.

What is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a third-party verified document that communicates the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle, following internationally recognised standards such as ISO 14025. It provides a scientific, objective, and transparent assessment of how a product affects the environment—from raw material extraction to end-of-life.

The purpose of an EPD is to:

  • Improve product transparency

  • Support sustainable procurement decisions

  • Enable comparisons between similar products

  • Encourage environmentally responsible manufacturing and consumption

EPDs help UK manufacturers meet green building, ESG, and circular economy goals, while also strengthening their position in both local and global markets.

How the EPD Certification Process Works

The process begins with the collection of comprehensive, high-quality data covering every stage of the product’s lifecycle. This includes information such as:

  • Raw material extraction and sourcing

  • Energy usage during manufacturing

  • Waste generation and management

  • Transportation and logistics

Accurate and consistent data is essential for reliable environmental analysis.

Using industry-standard LCA software and databases, we convert the collected data into a detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) report. This scientific analysis measures the product’s environmental impact across all phases—from raw materials to end-of-life treatment.

The LCA report is developed in line with ISO 14040/44 and EN 15804 standards, and forms the foundation of the EPD.

Next, the LCA results are compiled into a structured Environmental Product Declaration document that complies with ISO 14025 and EN 15804. The document includes:

  • Environmental impact indicators

  • Process-related emissions and resource usage

  • Visual elements such as graphs and tables for clarity

Each EPD is tailored to the specific product and aligned with the relevant Product Category Rules (PCR) from approved EPD programme operators.

To ensure credibility, the EPD and LCA report are independently assessed by an accredited verifier. This step confirms that:

  • All data and methods comply with applicable standards

  • The report presents accurate and transparent findings

Once approved, the EPD becomes a certified declaration of the product’s environmental impact.

After successful verification, the final EPD is submitted for official registration and publication with a recognised EPD programme operator (e.g. EPD International, BRE, or others). This makes the document publicly accessible and valid for use in certifications like BREEAM, LEED, and public procurement.

Who Publishes EPDs? – Leading EPD Programme Operators

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are published through independent programme operators that function in accordance with international standards such as ISO 14025 and EN 15804. These organisations are responsible for overseeing the validation, registration, and public release of EPD documents via recognised global platforms.

These programme operators play a crucial role in:

  • Ensuring consistency and credibility across EPDs

  • Managing third-party verification processes

  • Hosting EPDs in publicly accessible databases for global recognition

Below are some of the most widely recognised and respected EPD publishing bodies globally:

The International EPD System - IES
Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V. – IBU
UL Environment (UL EPD Program)
Global GreenTag
BRE
EPD Italy
EPD Norway

What Does an EPD Include? – Key Elements of an Environmental Product Declaration

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a comprehensive document built on transparency and scientific rigour. It includes several core components that together offer a clear picture of a product’s environmental performance:

1. Product Overview

This section outlines essential information such as:
  • Product name and description
  • Intended application or market use
  • Details about the manufacturing process and location

2. Product Category Rules (PCR)

PCRs define the specific methodology, scope, and impact categories that apply to the product type. They ensure that EPDs across the same category follow a consistent and comparable framework.

3. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Results

The heart of the EPD, this section presents the results of the LCA analysis, including:
  • Carbon emissions (Global Warming Potential)
  • Energy and resource consumption
  • Water usage and waste output
    These results are aligned with standards such as ISO 14040/44 and EN 15804.

4. System Boundaries

This defines the life cycle stages included in the analysis, for example:
  • Cradle-to-Gate: Raw material extraction to factory gate
  • Cradle-to-Grave: From resource extraction to product disposal

5. Environmental Impact Indicators

Quantitative metrics are provided for various categories, including:
  • Greenhouse gas emissions
  • Acidification and eutrophication potentials
  • Ozone depletion
  • Abiotic resource depletion

6. Data Sources and Assumptions

Details about:
  • Databases and software used (e.g. Ecoinvent, SimaPro)
  • Calculation boundaries and modelling assumptions

7. Verification Statement

Confirms that the EPD has undergone independent third-party verification and complies with relevant standards. Includes the verifier’s name, accreditation body, and signature.

Which Products Are Eligible for an EPD?

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) can be developed for virtually any product where assessing and communicating environmental impact is valuable. EPDs are especially relevant in industries where sustainability, transparency, and compliance play a critical role in market acceptance and regulatory approval.

Here are some common product categories where EPDs are frequently used:

  • Building Materials: Concrete, steel, glass, insulation materials, paint.
  • Consumer Products: Electronic devices, furniture, textile products.
  • Industrial Products: Machinery, equipment, chemicals.
  • Food and Agricultural Products: Food products, packaging.

In short, an EPD can be prepared for any product for which an assessment of its environmental impacts is desired.

How Are EPD and LCA Connected?

The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is built upon the findings of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)—a scientific methodology used to evaluate a product’s environmental impact throughout its entire lifespan.

An LCA analyses every stage of the product’s journey, including:

  • Raw material extraction

  • Manufacturing processes

  • Distribution and use

  • End-of-life disposal or recycling

From this assessment, the product’s carbon footprint, energy demand, water use, and other environmental indicators are calculated.

While the LCA provides the technical foundation, the EPD translates this data into a standardised, third-party verified format. This makes it easier for manufacturers, specifiers, and procurement professionals to:

  • Compare products using objective, transparent criteria

  • Support sustainable construction, green procurement, and ESG reporting

  • Meet international standards like ISO 14025 and EN 15804

In summary, LCA delivers the science, and EPD delivers the communication—making both essential for credible environmental transparency.

Why is an EPD for a Product Necessary?

As environmental responsibility becomes central to both regulation and market expectations, an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) serves as a vital tool for demonstrating sustainability, ensuring compliance, and boosting credibility.

Here’s why investing in an EPD matters:

1. Environmental Transparency

An EPD offers a clear, independent, and scientific disclosure of a product’s environmental impact—helping manufacturers build trust with clients, specifiers, and stakeholders.

2. Points for Green Building Certifications

Programmes like BREEAM, LEED, and HQM award credits for products with verified EPDs. This makes your product more attractive for use in certified sustainable buildings.

3. Competitive Market Positioning

In a marketplace driven by eco-conscious purchasing, having an EPD differentiates your product and strengthens your brand’s commitment to sustainability—especially in public tenders and large-scale construction projects.

4. Compliance with Environmental Regulations

An EPD supports compliance with UK and EU regulations related to sustainable construction, product transparency, and environmental declarations. It can also align with corporate ESG reporting obligations.

5. Performance Benchmarking and Innovation

EPDs provide a framework for measuring and improving environmental performance. This data-driven insight helps identify hotspots in the product lifecycle where emissions or resource use can be reduced.

 

For manufacturers aiming to stay ahead of sustainability trends, regulatory expectations, and client demands, an EPD is no longer optional—it’s a strategic necessity.

What Services Does EPD UK Provide?

EPD UK, a division of ERKE Sustainability Consultancy, delivers specialised Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) solutions for UK manufacturers seeking to elevate their environmental credibility and meet international compliance standards.

We help organisations quantify and communicate their environmental impact through robust, third-party verified documentation.

Our Core Services Include:

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):
    Scientifically evaluating the environmental performance of your product from raw material sourcing to end-of-life.

  • Carbon Footprint Calculation:
    Measuring emissions across the product lifecycle to support carbon management, ESG strategies, and Net Zero goals.

  • EPD Preparation and Publication:
    Developing fully compliant EPDs aligned with standards such as ISO 14025, EN 15804, and relevant Product Category Rules (PCRs).

  • Data Verification & Consultancy:
    Supporting manufacturers with accurate data modelling, system boundary definition, and third-party verification coordination.

A Global Perspective with Local Expertise

With extensive project experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific—from Saudi Arabia to Australia—our team brings international best practices to the UK market. Whether you’re aiming to meet public procurement requirements, improve your green building credentials, or simply stand out in a sustainability-conscious market, EPD UK is your trusted partner.

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EPD UK

EPD UK enables manufacturers to achieve their sustainability goals through environmental product declaration (EPD) consultancy services.