Choosing sustainable products has become a vital part of responsible consumer and professional decision-making. With growing environmental concerns and the need for more transparency in production and manufacturing, tools like environmental product declarations (EPDs) have emerged to guide buyers. Whether you're sourcing materials for a construction project, selecting everyday items for your home, or seeking to lower your carbon footprint, understanding how to compare products using EPDs can help you make smarter, more environmentally responsible choices.
What is an EPD and Why Does It Matter?
An environmental product declaration is a standardized document that provides detailed data on the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle. These declarations are based on Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), and they quantify impacts like carbon emissions, resource depletion, and energy use.
Unlike marketing labels that might use vague terms like "green" or "eco-friendly," an EPD offers verified, science-based information. It breaks down a product's full environmental footprint—from raw material extraction to manufacturing, transport, use, and disposal. This transparency is crucial for making meaningful comparisons between products that may appear similar on the surface but have very different environmental profiles.
Why Comparing Products Using EPDs Is Important
When comparing two or more products, you might be tempted to rely on price, brand reputation, or aesthetic appeal. While those factors may matter in other contexts, they don’t give you the full picture of a product’s sustainability. That’s where EPDs come in.
Products with EPDs provide a deeper layer of understanding. They help you answer key questions:
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How much greenhouse gas does this product emit over its lifecycle?
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What is the global warming potential of this material?
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Does this product use a lot of water or energy in production?
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What happens at the end of its life—can it be recycled or reused?
When you can compare these metrics across multiple products, you gain the power to make choices that align more closely with your environmental values.
Understanding the Structure of an EPD
Before you start comparing, it's essential to understand what information an EPD typically includes. While formats can vary slightly by industry and region, most follow a structure governed by international standards (like ISO 14025 and EN 15804).
Key Sections of an EPD
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Product Description
Basic details about the product, including what it is, how it's used, and what materials it contains. -
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Results
This is the heart of the EPD. It shows environmental impacts across different life stages: -
Raw material extraction
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Production
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Transportation
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Use phase
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End-of-life treatment
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Impact Categories
These categories quantify various environmental effects, including: -
Global warming potential (carbon footprint)
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Ozone depletion potential
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Acidification potential
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Eutrophication (nutrient pollution)
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Resource use (water, minerals, energy)
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Technical and Supporting Information
This includes data sources, assumptions, system boundaries, and how the LCA was performed.
Understanding these components allows you to make an "apples to apples" comparison between products.
How to Read and Compare EPDs Effectively
Comparing products using EPDs is not just about glancing at numbers; it requires a thoughtful and consistent approach. Here’s how to do it:
Make Sure You’re Comparing Similar Products
An obvious but important step. You can’t compare the EPD of a wood panel with that of a steel beam unless they serve the same function in your project. Functional equivalence is key.
Focus on the Same Impact Categories
Ensure you're comparing the same environmental indicators across EPDs. For example, if you're looking at global warming potential, compare the same unit of measure (e.g., kg CO₂-eq per product unit).
Check the System Boundaries
Not all EPDs cover the full life cycle of a product. Some include just the cradle-to-gate phase (raw materials to factory gate), while others cover cradle-to-grave (including use and disposal). Comparing EPDs with different system boundaries leads to skewed conclusions.
Look at the Product’s Service Life
How long does the product last? A product with a higher environmental impact but a longer service life might still be a better choice over time.
Evaluate End-of-Life Options
Can the product be recycled or reused? A cradle-to-cradle design with built-in recyclability can significantly reduce environmental burdens over time.
Watch for Region-Specific Variations
EPDs may vary based on geographic factors like electricity sources, transport distances, or waste disposal methods. If you're working locally, look for EPDs that reflect regional realities.
What to Prioritize When Making Smart Product Choices
Using environmental product declarations as part of your decision-making framework can help you prioritize the right values. Here’s what to focus on when choosing between products:
Carbon Footprint
Often the most talked-about metric, the carbon footprint is critical if your goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Select products with lower global warming potential (measured in kg CO₂-equivalent).
Material Sourcing
Products made with renewable, locally sourced, or recycled materials tend to have lower environmental impacts. EPDs can help you identify these advantages.
Durability and Maintenance
A durable product that lasts longer reduces the need for replacement and maintenance—both of which add to environmental impact over time.
Recyclability and Waste Reduction
Products designed for circularity—where components can be disassembled and reused—offer long-term environmental benefits.
Water and Energy Use
High water or energy usage during production can be a red flag. Look for products that report low demand in these categories.
EPDs and Sustainable Certifications
While EPDs are not certifications themselves, they often support certification processes for green building standards or sustainable product ratings. Tools like LEED, BREEAM, or WELL use EPDs to award points and determine compliance
Final Thought
Making smarter product choices begins with a willingness to look beyond labels and delve into the facts. Environmental product declarations give us a powerful lens through which to evaluate and compare the real environmental impact of what we buy, use, and build with. They turn vague sustainability claims into concrete data, helping individuals and organizations alike make decisions that support a healthier planet.
As transparency becomes the norm, the demand for EPDs will likely grow. The more we understand how to read and apply them, the more leverage we have in pushing for better, cleaner, and more sustainable products. Whether you're building a home, designing a product, or simply buying office furniture, the insights offered by EPDs can lead to smarter, greener choices that align with both environmental responsibility and long-term value.
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