DNV’s LCA and EPD services, at a glance

What DNV offers to manufacturers

DNV provides LCA studies, product carbon footprint work, and Environmental Product Declaration support. Their pages outline LCA advisory and verification, EPD verification aligned to ISO 14025 and EN 15804, and product carbon footprint assurance aligned to ISO 14067. See their service pages for Environmental Product Declarations, Life Cycle Assessment, and Product Carbon Footprint verification (DNV EPD services: https://www.dnv.com/services/environmental-product-declaration-epd--235954, DNV LCA services: https://www.dnv.us/services/life-cycle-assessment-lca--232238, DNV PCF verification: https://www.dnv.com/services/product-carbon-footprint-verification/).

Their materials also reference support preparing for program operator requirements and creating comparable impact data across portfolios (DNV LCA services: https://www.dnv.us/services/life-cycle-assessment-lca--232238). If you need carbon accounting beyond a single product, DNV’s climate and footprinting pages point to corporate and supply chain services as well (DNV climate and carbon services: https://www.dnv.com/services/climate-change-carbon-footprinting-services/).

Where DNV tends to operate

DNV positions its LCA, CFP, and EPD offerings toward energy, heavy industry, and other hard‑to‑abate sectors, with verification capacity across global markets (DNV PCF verification: https://www.dnv.com/services/product-carbon-footprint-verification/). They report 15,420 employees and offices in 72 countries for 2024, indicating broad geographic coverage (DNV, 2025) (DNV, 2025).

Tooling and data sources you can expect

DNV states they use SimaPro and the ecoinvent database for LCA modeling, sometimes supplemented with Excel tools for sector‑specific work like offshore wind. Expect primary supplier data blended with reputable LCI databases and sensitivity analysis to test robustness (DNV energy LCA page: https://www.dnv.com/services/life-cycle-assessment-and-carbon-footprint-of-products/).

EPD creation and verification, in context

An EPD is a Type III label based on a product LCA and verified against a Product Category Rule. Most EPDs are valid for five years, which is what many program operators specify for the declaration period (EPD International, 2025) (EPD International, 2025). PCRs themselves typically carry a three to five year validity window, so teams should check the current version and any transition dates before scoping a study (EPD International, 2025) (EPD International, 2025).

DNV’s public materials emphasize EPD verification, not operating a program in their own name. For publication, manufacturers usually select a program operator such as the International EPD System, UL, ASTM, IBU, BRE, or national schemes. A good partner will map which PCR competitors use and confirm the program operator that best fits your market and customers.

What the working model looks like with traditional consultants

Plan for a structured, collaborative process. Typical steps include a kickoff workshop to set scope and system boundaries, detailed data requests that reach into procurement, utilities, waste, and production, and follow‑up interviews to resolve gaps. Data collection often arrives through spreadsheets and secure file shares, then the consultant models the LCA, drafts the EPD, and supports verifier Q&A.

Timelines vary by data readiness and product complexity. If it is the first EPD for a facility, expect more internal lift to assemble primary datasets. Many teams now expect lower‑friction data intake and shorter cycles, but if suppliers are slow or metering is incomplete, even the best process cant move faster than the underlying inputs.

Sizing the fit for building‑product manufacturers

DNV’s strengths align with technically complex value chains and verification work. Manufacturers with cross‑site production, energy‑intensive processes, or parallel compliance needs often value that profile. If your need is a focused, spec‑driven EPD portfolio for a handful of SKUs, ensure the engagement model matches the speed and effort your commercial teams require.

What to ask in your first scoping call

• Which PCR and program operator do they recommend for your product, and why now. Ask how that choice compares with competitors in your category.
• What primary data they need in the first 10 business days, and the minimum viable dataset for a compliant cradle‑to‑gate study.
• Which LCI datasets and impact methods they plan to use for EN 15804 and any North American needs, and how updates are handled.
• How verification will be managed, including reviewer selection, comment cycles, and publication steps.
• What the plan is for renewals if a PCR update lands mid‑project. Note that several PCR families have timed updates and transition windows in 2025 (EPD International, 2025) (EPD International, 2025).

Competitors you may see in the same RFP stack

In similar size segments and regions, manufacturers often also evaluate UL Solutions, SCS Global Services, SGS, TÜV Rheinland, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, WSP, or Ramboll for LCA and EPD work. Capabilities and lead times vary, so align provider selection to the cadence your sales and specification teams need.

The takeaway for teams pursuing specs

DNV is a large, technically credible choice for LCA, PCF, and EPD verification, especially where industrial complexity and global assurance matter. Manufacturers should balance that with the internal effort a traditional consulting model requires, then choose a partner that removes friction in data gathering and gets finished, third‑party verified EPDs into the market before key bids close.