ALUMINIUM Extra
‘ EPD ’ S - BE PREPARED ’
BY PHIL SLINGER - CAB CHIEF EXECUTIVE
» SO , WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL Product Declaration ( EPD )?
An EPD provides a standard methodology of declaring the impacts of manufacturing and products in use through Life Cycle Assessment ( LCA ). EN 15804 provides the complete set of Product Category Rules ( PCR ) to ensure consistent reporting of environmental impact information for all construction products .
Why do we need them in the Construction Industry ?
An EPD supports carbon emission reduction by allowing specifiers to choose between materials and products to maximise sustainability . Manufacturers on the other hand are able to minimise their environmental impact and market their carbon transparency . EPD ’ s are valid for five years and whilst we use the EN 15804 standard in the UK , EPD ’ s can also be compiled using ISO 14040 / 14044 , ISO 14025 or ISO 21930 standards . EPD ’ s can also offer credits towards certification schemes such as BREEAM and LEED , so expect the request for EPD ’ s to be common place very soon .
Currently EPD ’ s are voluntary , the Construction Industry , particularly contractors and developers , see these declarations as important to offer their clients a set of green credentials to entice them to a particular building . EPD ’ s may become mandatory in the UK so it
is prudent to look into EPD ’ s as part of your promotional package . In early 2021 the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ) consulted on proposals to introduce mandatory climate-related financial disclosures by publicly quoted companies , large private companies and LLPs . Back in 2013 The Green Construction Board ’ s 2013 Low Carbon Routemap for the Built Environment proposed that EPD ’ s should be mandatory by 2022 .
There are basically five steps to producing an EPD . First to collect product and material data ; second to conduct an LCA which conforms to the PCR ; third , prepare a background report as to how you have undertaken the LCA and any assumptions you may have made ; fourth to gain a 3rd party verification for the EPD and fifth , to be placed in an easily assessable directory . Many CAB members have already completed EPD ’ s down to each product or system that is being offered . At the beginning of 2021 , there were just 360 EPD ’ s listed using EN 15804 for UK produced products , from over 60 manufacturers and UK trade associations , covering a wide range of construction products . CAB have discussed with their members that the Association could compile a generic EPD for aluminium fenestration products that all members could use , this was turned down in favour of producing specific product EPD ’ s within each member company .
The Association continually supports the fenestration , facade and building envelope products supply chain , with staff on hand at the CAB offices to answer any technical or market related questions . Information is regularly updated on the CAB website at www . c-a-b . org . uk
38 FEBRUARY 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM