What is an environmental product declaration?

An Environmental Product Declaration, or EPD, is a report that quantifies the environmental impact of a product throughout its life.

In a nutshell:

  • An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) quantifies the lifetime environmental impact of a product
  • EPDs take the extraction of raw materials, manufacture, ongoing use and disposal into account
  • EPDs help façade specialists identify opportunities to reduce their environmental impact
  • EPD provide important carbon reporting data to main contractors and client organisations
  • EPDs are developed to international standards and are verified by independent third-party organisations

EPDs help compare products fulfilling the same function and takes into account the extraction of raw materials, manufacture, ongoing use and disposal.

In the architectural façade sector, as with other areas of the construction industry, EPDs provide valuable information to businesses and help them understand the environmental performance of their products.

For façade projects, the EPD may be focused on specific environmental impacts – such as greenhouse gas emissions- and form part of a full lifecycle approach to reducing carbon. This is important for two reasons. Firstly, it allows façade specialists to identify opportunities to reduce their environmental impact. Secondly, it provides data for carbon reporting to main contractors and client organisations for projects in early RIBA stages.

EPDs are developed according to international standards and are verified by independent third-party organisations. This ensures they are reliable and trustworthy.

As a responsible sub-contractor with a commitment to protecting the environment, Maple are on a journey to becoming Net Carbon Zero, and have put specific targets in place.

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