EPD Data Collection, Delivered as a Service
For most manufacturers, the grind is not the LCA math. It is the scavenger hunt across ERP tables, plant spreadsheets, and supplier inboxes. Treat data collection as a managed service that maps where facts actually live, connects to systems, and handles outreach with verification baked in. The payoff is a reusable environmental data asset that supports multiple EPDs and renewals, not another one‑off file lost in a folder.
The real bottleneck is the scavenger hunt
Loose spreadsheets, cryptic ERP fields, and rotating plant roles turn EPD prep into a memory test. Teams lose time reconciling versions and translating unit conventions. A managed service reframes the job as a repeatable intake, so information shows up clean, comparable, and on time.
Platform plus services beats software alone
Software is fast once the pipes exist. The pipes are the work. A platform‑plus‑services model connects to ERP and MES, maps utility bills to meters, and standardizes supplier asks. The service team validates where data truly resides and closes gaps with people, not wishful clicks.
- Map data pathways across plants and suppliers, then confirm access.
- Connect to source systems and utility portals, not just exports.
- Run early checks and send confirmations so issues surface week one.
Make it an ongoing workflow, not a rush job
EPDs usually carry a five year validity under major operators, with interim updates when results shift beyond defined thresholds (EPD International, 2024). GPI 5.0.1 also requires an annual internal follow up to keep published EPDs current, which rewards teams that treat data as a living pipeline, not a once‑and‑done dump (EPD International, 2025).
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Why pipes matter more than emails
Electricity really moves the needle in A1 to A3 for many products. Grid carbon intensity swings widely by location, from roughly 275 lb CO2 per MWh in Upstate New York to about 1,593 lb CO2 per MWh in Puerto Rico, based on the 2024 eGRID table of baseload factors (EPA eGRID, 2024). Pulling plant‑specific kWh and subregion mapping automatically is more defensible than hunting last year’s email thread.
Supplier engagement without the headache
Suppliers respond faster when the ask is narrow, the template is familiar, and the finish line is visible. A managed service handles outreach, confidentiality concerns, and quiet escalation. It turns a side quest into the main quest by giving early confirmations and clear pass‑fail checks.
Evidence, versioning, and audit‑readiness by default
Every figure should trace to a source with timestamp, unit, and owner. System connectors and task logs create that chain of custody. This saves hours and reduces error risk when verifiers or auditors ask for support, becuase the evidence lives alongside the numbers.
Choosing a partner for the heavy lift
Look for direct connectors to ERP, MES, and utility APIs. Expect supplier outreach handled as a service with standardized templates. Ask how the team validates declared units, maps facility boundaries, and captures source evidence. Check that outputs publish cleanly with common operators such as Smart EPD in the United States and IBU in Europe, while staying operator‑agnostic.
The commercial angle
Product‑specific EPDs reduce carbon accounting penalties on submittals and make swaps less likely when projects chase embodied‑carbon targets under frameworks like LEED v5. Treating data collection as a shared workflow shortens timelines and frees your experts to focus on process improvements that actually move impacts.
From file to asset
When data collection becomes a service, the outcome is bigger than an EPD PDF. It is a maintained dataset keyed to plants, products, and suppliers that can feed renewals, HPDs, and future LCAs. That turns compliance chores into a strategic capability, with less cognitive load and more momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should manufacturers update operational data used in EPDs?
Keep a maintained pipeline that refreshes at least annually, aligned with the required internal follow up during the five year validity period for major operators (EPD International, 2025).
Why connect to utility and ERP systems instead of exporting spreadsheets?
System connections preserve traceability and cut rework. The carbon intensity of electricity varies significantly by region, so pulling plant‑specific kWh mapped to eGRID subregions improves accuracy and credibility (EPA eGRID, 2024).
Do EPD renewals require starting from scratch every time?
No. A managed service that stores evidence, mappings, and supplier contacts turns renewal into an update rather than a rebuild. EPDs are typically valid for five years, with updates needed if results change beyond operator thresholds (EPD International, 2024).
About the Author
Walker Ryan is a climate-tech entrepreneur focused on driving industrial decarbonization through better data. As the founder and CEO of Parq, he helps manufacturers generate high-quality, third-party–verified carbon disclosures at scale—accelerating a traditionally slow and expensive process. Before starting Parq, Walker led over $200 million in sustainability-focused investments as VP of Strategy & Growth at ReStream Solutions, following earlier experience in investment banking at Deutsche Bank. He brings a rare mix of capital markets expertise and hands-on sustainability knowledge to tackling the infrastructure of industrial emissions.
