iPoint Systems for LCAs and EPDs, explained
Manufacturers weighing LCA and EPD options will find iPoint positions itself as a software‑led provider with consulting support. Below is what they offer, how they work, and what the engagement typically requires so teams can plan resources and timelines with fewer surprises.
Who they are and where they focus
iPoint is a Germany‑headquartered provider of product compliance and sustainability software with services layered on top. Their site highlights global manufacturing use cases and long experience in automotive supply chains, which often translates well to complex bills of materials and multi‑tier supplier data. See their overview, plus ECO Platform membership that signals a construction‑sector orientation in Europe, especially around EN 15804 EPDs (iPoint homepage and ECO Platform news).
LCA studies and EPD creation
iPoint offers environmental engineering services that conduct LCAs and produce EPDs on a project basis, including guidance on applicable PCRs and preparation for verification. Their EPD page outlines the end‑to‑end steps from LCA modeling to third‑party verification and registration, which is critical if your sales teams rely on verified, product‑specific declarations (EPD software and services, Services).
Software you would likely use with them
- Umberto is their expert LCA desktop tool. It supports graphical system modeling, Excel links, BOM imports, and access to common LCI databases like ecoinvent and USLCI, which helps when plants cannot provide every upstream detail (Umberto).
- iPoint Product Sustainability is a web platform aimed at automating LCAs and PCFs across product families through parameterized models and data mapping, useful when you need portfolio scale rather than single‑product studies (Product Sustainability).
- SustainHub and compliance apps support supplier questionnaires and data exchange, a familiar pattern for companies already running REACH, RoHS, or conflict minerals reporting (SustainHub).
- For automotive suppliers, their IMDS tool shows depth in material disclosure and can inform PCF and LCA with structured component data (IMDS).
Data collection approach you should expect
Traditional consulting rhythms apply. Expect scoping workshops to set goal and scope, structured questionnaires and spreadsheets, BOM exports from PLM or ERP, and several rounds of clarifications with plant teams. Primary data for a reference year is typical, with suppliers contacted for key inputs. Iterations with an external verifier add time. Compared with modern low‑friciton intake models, plan for more internal coordination and calendar time to chase data, especially across sites.
Standards, verification, and timelines
iPoint references ISO 14040 and 14044 for LCA, ISO 14025 for Type III declarations, and EN 15804 for construction products on their EPD pages. Two timing facts matter for planning. Most major programmes set EPD validity at five years, so teams often work in renewal cycles and maintain change logs to decide if mid‑cycle updates are required (Environdec FAQ, 2025). The transition to the current EN 15804 PCR 2019:14 version set a final sunset date of 2025‑06‑20 for older versions, which affected verifier availability and scheduling in 2024 and 2025 and is a good reminder to check versioning early (EPD International PCR 2019:14 page, 2025). Verification capacity has also been tight in Europe, with IBU noting rising external verifier costs and adjusting fees in 2025, a signal that queues and pricing pressure are real variables for project managers (IBU, 2025) (IBU fee schedule update, 2025).
PCR guidance and program operator choice
Their EPD explainer emphasizes the role of Product Category Rules and mandatory independent verification for EN 15804. In practice, strong LCA partners help benchmark competitor PCR choices, align on the operator that fits your customers, and plan around PCR revision dates. iPoint’s materials indicate they can support these steps and handle document preparation for verifier review and registry submission (EPD software and services).
Industries and geographic footprint
Automotive and complex discrete manufacturing are clearly in scope, visible through their IMDS solution and supply‑chain data tools. Construction materials are also addressed through ECO Platform membership and EN 15804 messaging on their EPD page. Headquarters are in Reutlingen, Germany, with a global customer base noted across product pages, and certifications such as ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 27001 appear in the site footer, which many enterprise buyers require (homepage).
What working with a traditional consultancy typically feels like
Expect a phased, document‑heavy engagement. Kickoff to first verifier draft often involves several weeks of data collection, then modeling, internal review, and external verification, with additional clarifications. Manufacturers should budget internal hours for plant utility pulls, waste records, logistics data, and supplier outreach, plus time for a verification round. Many teams now look for lower‑touch data intake and faster turnarounds, so clarify process and timelines early.
How to compare iPoint with peers
Use a short checklist when scoping your RFP.
- Fit for your category and target operator, including EN 15804 experience and PCR selection support.
- Data intake method, for example BOM and ERP connectors, supplier survey tooling, and who chases what.
- Verification relationships and expected queue times, plus version alignment for active PCRs.
- Portfolio scaling, such as parameterized models to roll results to similar SKUs.
- Security and QA, including ISO 27001 and documented review procedures.
- Total effort on your side versus theirs, especially for multi‑site portfolios.
Common competitors for similar enterprise and upper‑midmarket scopes include Sphera, PRé Sustainability, UL Solutions, SCS Global Services, WAP Sustainability, and Intertek. Capabilities and project styles vary, so test the data‑collection plan and publication targets with a pilot before committing.
Where to read more on their site
- LCA desktop tool: Umberto
- EPD offer and process: Environmental Product Declaration
- Consulting and support: Services
- Portfolio‑scale automation: iPoint Product Sustainability
- Supplier data collection: SustainHub
- Automotive supply chain focus: IMDS
Bottom line for spec‑driven manufacturers
iPoint combines LCA software with services that can deliver verified, registry‑published EPDs, particularly under European EN 15804 expectations. If your portfolio is complex and supplier‑heavy, their data plumbing will feel familiar, just budget internal time for data readiness and a verification round. Ask for a sample data template, a verifier availability estimate, and a plan to scale from a pilot EPD to a multi‑SKU set without re‑inventing the model each time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What EPD validity period should manufacturers plan around when budgeting renewals?
Most major programs use a five‑year validity period, with annual internal follow‑up and updates as needed when results shift materially. See the International EPD System guidance for details (Environdec FAQ, 2025).
How likely are verification delays in Europe in 2025 and beyond?
Verifier capacity has been tight. IBU publicly noted about a 40 percent rise in external verification costs and raised verification fees to €2,700 from September 1, 2025, which often correlates with demand and capacity pressure (IBU, 2025) (IBU fee schedule update, 2025).
Does PCR versioning affect project schedules?
Yes. The EN 15804 construction PCR in the International EPD System had a final sunset date of 2025‑06‑20 for older versions, which created transition work for teams. Confirm the exact PCR version and any transition rules before modeling begins (EPD International PCR 2019:14 page, 2025).
About the Author
John brings a clear, research-driven perspective on the EPD, LCA and HPD space and keeps a close pulse on environmental trends and standards in North America, helping clients understand where the industry is heading and how to get there.
