SGS for LCAs and EPDs: what to know

Who SGS is, in this context

SGS is a global testing, inspection and certification firm that also delivers product sustainability work. Their sustainability pages describe support for life cycle analysis, product carbon footprints and environmental labeling, all delivered through regional teams in the Americas, EMEA and APAC. See their service overviews for Product Carbon Footprint and broader Carbon Solutions.

Core services manufacturers can expect

SGS markets full LCA studies to ISO 14040 and 14044, product carbon footprint quantification and verification to ISO 14067 or PAS 2050, and advisory around environmental claims. Start points include their Ecodesign, LCA, EPD and Circular Economy Certification page, their ISO 14067 verification details, and the SGS Green Marks label scheme for single‑attribute claims.

EPD creation and verification support

SGS states it supports EPD creation and verification, including training. That shows up in their regional explainers on EPDs where they outline advisory and verification services for manufacturers preparing Type III declarations aligned to ISO 14025 and EN 15804. See for example “Understanding Environmental Product Declarations” on their country sites such as Singapore and Italy.

PCR guidance and program alignment

Their EPD page explains the role of Product Category Rules and that program operators manage them. For electrical, electronic and HVAC equipment, SGS highlights membership in the PEP Ecopassport program, which matters if your buyers use that scheme. Teams should still confirm which operator your category gravitates toward in the target market before modeling begins.

Data collection and tools you will likely see

Traditional consulting workflows rely on document requests, plant questionnaires, and workshops to scope boundaries and collect primary data. SGS case materials indicate use of SimaPro with ecoinvent datasets to build models, along with plant‑level utility and mass balance inputs. Their James Hardie Netherlands case notes a fresh LCA built in SimaPro and linked to ecoinvent v3.6, followed by interpretation against EN 15804 requirements (case study). Expect iterative Q&A and reviewer comments as the background report takes shape.

Timelines and validity windows to plan around

Verification capacity is a real bottleneck in construction today. IBU currently guides manufacturers to expect about six months just for verification, separate from drafting and internal reviews (IBU, 2025). Most EPDs publish with a five year validity window that requires annual internal follow up to keep data current (EPD International, 2025). PCRs generally have defined validity of three to five years, with four as the default and extensions or updates handled by the program operator (EPD International, 2025). Build those clocks into portfolio roadmaps so you do not sprint at renewal.

Typical industries and where SGS shows up

Public materials show activity across building materials, electronics, appliances and PPE. For construction, the James Hardie example sits squarely in the EN 15804 ecosystem. For electronics and HVAC, the PEP Ecopassport connection is relevant for market acceptance. They also publish LCA explainers for PPE that point to sector experience in Asia and Europe, for instance this PPE LCA feature.

What the client experience usually looks like with consultants

Work often starts with a project kickoff, a scope memo, and a long data request. Expect plant tours or virtual walk‑throughs, spreadsheet templates for bills of materials and utilities, and follow‑up interviews as gaps are found. Reviews with the verifier come later, which can add rounds of corrections. The upside is close, human guidance. The tradeoff is higher internal effort and time. In busy cycles, data requests can strech longer than teams expect.

How SGS talks about carbon claims

If carbon labeling is part of the brief, SGS offers verification marks for Product Carbon Footprint claims under the Green Marks portfolio. These marks require a submitted PCF report and a conformance check against ISO 14067 or the GHG Protocol, followed by an ISO 14064‑3 style verification step. See the Green Marks launch updates on their regional sites, including the US news post.

Questions to ask before you kick off

• Which PCR and program operator will we target, and why that one for our buyers
• What primary data do you need from each plant, and in what format to avoid rework
• Which LCA software and background database will you use, and what versions
• What is the expected verification queue and how will we mitigate schedule risk
• How will annual updates and future PCR transitions be handled across our portfolio

The competitive set you will compare against

In the same enterprise tier and regions, common alternatives include UL Solutions for EPD verification and PCR development, Intertek for LCA and product claims, Bureau Veritas and TÜV Rheinland for testing and environmental verification, and strategy‑heavy firms like ERM or WSP for broader decarbonization consulting. Each brings different speed, cost structure and industry familiarity. Modern buyers increasingly expect low‑friction data intake and faster turnarounds, with the same rigor that building specifiers and program operators require.