McGrady Clarke’s LCA and EPD services, at a glance
If your team is weighing a consultant for Life Cycle Assessments and Environmental Product Declarations, clarity beats hype. Here is what McGrady Clarke appears to offer, where they operate, and what manufacturers should expect in terms of scope, data work, and timelines.
Who they are and where they work
McGrady Clarke is a UK‑based sustainability and energy consultancy with work across the UK and Europe, positioning itself as a partner for carbon and compliance programs as well as technical analysis. See About and footprint claims on their site for geographic focus and client types. Their About page and services hub describe operations across the UK and Europe and a broad sustainability remit (About us, Our Services).
Core offer for manufacturers
Their site presents Life Cycle Assessments as a formal service and links LCA practice to EPD readiness and ISO alignment. The LCA service page references ISO 14040, ISO 14044 and ISO 14067, and states LCA outputs can support EPD certification. See: Life Cycle Assessments service page and Energy overview where LCAs are listed among voluntary frameworks (LCA service, Energy).
EPD deliverables and verification realities
Most construction EPDs are verified by an independent third party and remain valid for five years, which influences planning and refresh cycles. IBU states EPD validity is five years and advises planning several weeks for verification, depending on product complexity and data quality (IBU, 2025). Product Category Rules used to create EPDs typically expire on a five‑year cycle and are reviewed or renewed, so teams should check PCR versioning and sunset dates when starting scoping (UL Solutions, 2025). For high‑volume EPD publishers, the International EPD System now allows EPD Process Certification with five‑year certificates subject to annual audits, which can streamline repeat declarations during that period (EPD International, 2025).
What McGrady Clarke appears to cover
Their content suggests support across:
- LCA studies for products and brands, aligned to ISO standards with publishable reports aimed at stakeholders, and positioned as a step toward EPDs.
- Carbon accounting and decarbonisation programs that can complement LCAs and EPD roadmaps for regulated and voluntary frameworks such as SBTi and CSRD (SBTi, CSRD).
- Regulatory and market drivers that intersect with embodied carbon reporting, including CBAM for in‑scope materials like cement and steel, relevant for upstream impacts captured in LCAs (CBAM).
We did not find a dedicated EPD service page or an explicit public statement that they act as EPD verifier. Based on the LCA page’s EPD alignment, manufacturers can reasonably expect EPD creation support and coordination with a program operator, yet explicit verification scope and PCR selection support are not spelled out on the site.
Data collection and tools
Their ESOS materials reference a remote energy monitoring platform and ongoing data capture for compliance reporting, which signals structured data practices. For LCA engagement specifically, expect conventional consultant workflows: kickoff scoping, data request lists, questionnaires, BOM and utilities collection, supplier outreach, and spreadsheet exchanges, followed by LCA modelling to ISO standards and report drafting (ESOS). The LCA page notes delivery of publishable reports and ISO conformity rather than naming specific LCA software. If tool transparency matters, ask for the software stack, database versions, and how supplier primary data will be handled.
Sectors they reference
Their case studies and insights highlight work relevant to consumer products and fashion, healthcare supply chains tied to NHS procurement, logistics, and general manufacturing. This provides a signal for manufacturers in adjacent sectors evaluating fit. See their case studies hub and topic articles for examples, including a luxury fashion LCA case study (Case Studies).
Timelines and effort profiles to budget for
Consultant‑led LCAs usually involve workshops, structured questionnaires, and multiple spreadsheet rounds. Internal effort often clusters around data wrangling across product engineering, operations, procurement and EHS. Third‑party verification then adds review cycles that can span weeks on the program operator side, especially for first‑time declarations or complex product systems ([IBU, 2025]). Modern buyers increasingly expect low friciton data intake and faster turnarounds, yet that requires clear scoping, early supplier coordination, and decisive PCR choices.
Choosing PCRs and a program operator
PCRs function like the rulebook of Monopoly. Ignore them and the game falls apart. When considering any consultant, confirm how they will benchmark competitor EPDs to select the most accepted PCR for your category, how they will manage upcoming PCR expiry, and which operator they plan to publish with. Ask for a side‑by‑side on operator fees, lead times, digital data availability, and market recognition in your sales regions.
What to ask McGrady Clarke before kickoff
- Evidence of ISO‑conformant LCAs and any published EPDs they supported in your product family.
- A data collection plan that minimizes plant disruption and clarifies supplier asks.
- PCR selection approach, including how they check competitor norms and manage imminent expiry windows.
- Verification path, named verifier pool, and expected review cycles by operator.
- Details on software and databases, plus how background reports will be structured for smooth verification.
- Post‑publication support for EPD updates and portfolio scale‑out.
How they compare in the UK and EU landscape
Manufacturers of building products will encounter three broad alternatives when shopping for LCA and EPD help. Large global sustainability consultancies with broad compliance benches. Boutique LCA firms that specialize by material or sector. Software‑forward providers that package data intake with modelling services. McGrady Clarke reads as a mid‑sized consultancy positioned between compliance programs and technical analysis in the UK and Europe, which can suit teams that want a single partner for corporate carbon work and product LCAs.
Final take for manufacturers
If you want LCAs that can convert into verified EPDs with less drama, focus the vendor conversation on data intake quality, PCR fit, verification readiness, and operator lead times. Use McGrady Clarke’s public materials as a starter map, then press for specifics on EPD scope, verifier coordination, and how quickly their workflows move from first data pull to submitted EPD. That is where projects are won or lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does McGrady Clarke publicly offer a dedicated EPD service page or verification services?
We did not find a dedicated EPD service page or a public claim that they act as an EPD verifier. Their LCA page links LCA work to EPD certification support, which suggests creation and coordination rather than verification itself.
What EPD timing should manufacturers plan for with any consultant?
Budget several weeks for third‑party verification after LCA completion, then operator publication. EPD validity is typically five years, which sets your refresh cadence (IBU, 2025).
How often do PCRs change and why does that matter?
PCRs are commonly set on a five‑year cycle. Starting a project on a PCR near expiry can force late scope changes or quick re‑verification when the new PCR lands (UL Solutions, 2025).
Do they cover broader carbon programs that interact with LCAs?
Yes. Their site covers SBTi target setting, CSRD reporting, NHS Evergreen, and CBAM. These areas often drive the need for product‑level LCAs and portfolio EPDs (SBTi, CSRD, NHS Evergreen, CBAM).
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.
