Six Steps to Your First EPD
An Environmental Product Declaration can unlock bids, meet low-carbon procurement rules, and earn LEED points, yet many teams spend months circling step one. Here is the no-fluff roadmap to move from blank spreadsheet to a verified, published declaration without losing sleep (or your launch date).
1. Map Your Boundary Early
Start by deciding which plants, product SKUs, and life-cycle stages the declaration will cover. A narrow scope may speed the first release, but too narrow can backfire when specifiers ask for variants you left out. ISO 14040 calls this the goal-and-scope phase, and it guides every dataset you will chase later.
2. Lock the Product Category Rule
Find the correct Product Category Rule or help draft one if none exists. PCRs set functional unit, system boundaries, impact categories, and data quality rules. The International EPD System notes PCR development now averages 5-12 months (Environdec FAQ, 2025), so confirming an existing rule can shave half a year off your timeline.
3. Gather Life-Cycle Inventory Like a Pro
Plant energy bills, resin weights, scrap rates, transport distances—every gram matters. A credible Life-Cycle Inventory can soak up 60 percent of the project schedule (IBU, 2025). Use digital forms instead of email chains to keep files version-truthful, then plug data gaps with reputable secondary datasets. For a deeper dive, see the inventory explainer.
4. Crunch the LCA Numbers
Run the cradle-to-gate or cradle-to-grave model per the PCR’s rules. Double-check mass balance: inputs should equal outputs plus waste. Small math errors can ripple into thousands of kilos of CO₂e across annual production. If uncertainty feels high, run a sensitivity test before moving on.
5. Draft, Review, and Verify
Convert the LCA results into the EPD template specified by your program operator. Book an independent verification slot early—review queues for popular operators stretch up to six months (IBU, 2025). Respond fast to comments to avoid a second review loop; typos here can cost real weeks.
6. Publish and Promote
Once the operator issues the declaration number, upload the PDF to your website and product data sheets. Brief sales reps on the declared impacts so they can translate carbon savings into project-specific talking points. An EPD hidden in a compliance folder is a wasted asset.
Bring It All Together
An EPD is not a black box. It is a six-step project that rewards rigor and ruthless project management. Scope tight, follow the rulebook, and keep data flowing. Miss one hand-off and you will recieve a calendar-size penalty; nail them all and your next bid could win on merit, not price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does independent verification take today?
Program Operator portals cite eight weeks as the ideal, yet high demand means many manufacturers now wait closer to six months before final approval (IBU, 2025). Booking early is the safest hedge.
Can I reuse supplier EPD data in my own declaration?
Yes, if the supplier EPD aligns with your PCR and its declared unit can be scaled correctly. Always document the conversion math to avoid verifier pushback.
Do I need to update the EPD when the PCR expires?
After five years, most operators require either a renewed EPD under the latest PCR or withdrawal of the old one. Budget time for a data refresh and new verification round.
What if my product spans multiple PCRs?
Pick the PCR that best matches the declared function of the product. In tricky cases, engage the operator; they can clarify or even merge scopes when industry demand justifies it.
About the Author
With a passion for sustainability and a love for complex data, Toby helps manufacturers efficiently collect data from across their organization and get their EPDs done right. He’s especially interested in how AI can support human expertise, helping R&D and factory teams work faster, smarter, and with less friction.
