EPDs for Dimension Lumber in Europe: The Data Guide
Thinking about an EPD for structural timber in Europe in 2026? Here’s the full picture for “dimension lumber” (also called sawn softwood, studs, or carcassing) based on the most recent public registry data, so you can benchmark quickly and set a clean path to publication.
What we mean by “dimension lumber” in Europe
Dimension lumber in European practice maps to structural softwood that is sawn, graded, and typically planed for framing. Think C16 or C24 studs, joists, and similar sizes that feed wall, floor, and roof systems. It is distinct from engineered wood like LVL, glulam, or CLT.
The 5‑year snapshot manufacturers care about
- 8 current EPDs across the last 5 years.
- 7 manufacturers behind those EPDs.
- 2 EPD program operators active in this category.
- 4 distinct PCRs used. Latest issue date spotted: Feb 5, 2024 for CODIFAB’s French solid softwood system published with INIES (see details below). That is the most recent publication date in this set.
Carcassing timber often looks “plain”, but its paperwork can feel anything but, untill you map the moving parts.
Who is publishing these EPDs
Two program operators cover everything here.
- INIES holds 6 EPDs used by 5 different manufacturers, which shows strong cross‑manufacturer adoption and familiarity in France.
- IBU lists 2 EPDs used by 2 manufacturers, indicating a smaller but credible footprint in German‑language markets.
This split tells you where reviewers and verifiers are already comfortable with dimension lumber details and datasets. If speed matters, publishing where similar products are already flowing can shorten cycles.
Manufacturers on the board
Seven distinct manufacturers have current EPDs in this category.
- BOIS DE FRANCE (1)
- CODIFAB (1)
- Holzwerke Ladenburger GmbH (1)
- MATHIS SAS (1)
- Rubner Holding AG – S.p.A. (1)
- SAS International Ltd. (2)
- Stora Enso (1)
The mix spans French consortia, German and Italian groups, and pan‑European names. That diversity helps comparability for A1 to A3 assumptions and grading practices across mills.
PCRs actually used (and what that means for you)
These are the rulebooks behind each declaration. Picking what peers use usually speeds reviews, avoids re‑work, and keeps comparability clear.
| PCR name | EPDs using it | Latest expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Part B: EPD requirements for solid wood products | 1 | Sep 1, 2027 |
| Part B: Requirements on the EPD for Solid wood products | 1 | Jun 26, 2028 |
| Sustainability of construction works… National addition to NF EN 15804+A1 | 4 | May 2, 2027 |
| Sustainability of construction works… National addition to NF EN 15804+A2 | 2 | Jan 27, 2029 |
Reading between the lines, many firms still rely on A1‑based national additions, but A2 entries are clearly present and stretch further into the future. That makes the A2 route attractive for teams planning a first EPD this year who want fewer renewals before 2030.
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Expiry calendar you can plan against
Here is the five‑year horizon for expiries of current declarations. If you are timing a launch to outlast competitors, the gaps matter.
- 2026: 1 expiry (A1 national addition).
- 2027: 4 expiries (1 solid‑wood Part B and 3 A1 national additions).
- 2028: 2 expiries (1 solid‑wood Part B and 1 A2 national addition).
- 2029: 1 expiry (A2 national addition).
- 2030: 0 expiries.
This curve suggests a busy renewal wave in 2027, with some competitors needing to update rulebooks or switch to A2 while you could enter with longer runway.
Year‑by‑year publishing volume
A quick view of how many EPDs were issued each year in this set. 2022 was the high‑water mark.
| Year | EPDs issued |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 0 |
Volumes are small enough that a single new declaration moves the category. That is useful when you want to stand out on project submittals.
The latest publication to copy smartly
- Title: Système poteaux‑poutres en bois massif, 100% résineux, fabriqué en France
- Issued: Feb 5, 2024
- Manufacturer: CODIFAB
- Program operator: INIES
- PCR: National addition to NF EN 15804+A2
- Expiry: Jan 27, 2029
Why it matters: the A2 basis and long runway are a practical template if you operate in or sell into France. The structural system scope also signals where product boundaries are moving for solid softwood.
Consultant involvement and what it signals
Half of the current EPDs used an external EPD consultant or “EPD service provider” for development and verification steps. That is 4 out of 8. For teams with lean QA resources or multiple mills, outsourcing the data wrangling often accelerates schedules and reduces internal follow‑ups. If you want a partner that keeps collection dead‑simple and publishes with the operator you prefer, Parq is built for that.
Choosing operator and PCR without second‑guessing later
- If your sales footprint leans France, INIES is the proven lane for dimension lumber in this dataset. It concentrates published examples and reviewer familiarity.
- If you serve DACH markets, IBU is already in use for solid wood Part B. It is a credible path, especially if you want German EPD layouts and metadata conventions.
- If you are starting fresh, an A2‑based PCR gives longer life and aligns with the latest EN 15804 method changes that specifiers increasingly expect.
A PCR is the rulebook of Monopoly (ignore it and the game falls apart). Picking the same one peers use keeps apples‑to‑apples comparisons in tenders.
Notable absences and adjacent activity (as of Jan 21, 2026)
- Binderholz and Setra do not show current public EPDs specifically for dimension lumber in this dataset. That creates room for rivals to win spec positions when project teams filter for product‑specific EPDs.
- Södra and UPM have current EPDs in adjacent or overlapping scopes such as Thermowood cladding or standard sawn timber. Those can meet project needs in some cases depending on scope and grading.
- Engineered‑wood leaders like Metsä Wood publish multiple EPDs for LVL, joists, and plywood. If your buyers ask for studs rather than panels or LVL, a product‑specific lumber EPD still matters.
If your brand sits in these groups, a focused lumber EPD can remove conservative assumptions that otherwise penalize bids. Many project teams will not assign best‑case values without a product‑specific declaration.
Action plan that saves calendar time
- Anchor on the A2 national addition or solid‑wood Part B that peers use, then confirm geographic fit for your priority markets.
- Lock the reference year and mill list early. Do a quick gap‑check on electricity mixes, transport modes, and sawline yields so nothing surprises verification.
- Pick the operator where similar lumber EPDs are live. That familiarity often shortens clarifications and keeps your publication timetable intact.
We can help you pressure‑test the competitive set and pick the best‑fit PCR in one short session.
One last thing
This analysis uses the global public registry that most specifiers consult. Recent loading delays mean some declarations issued in the second half of 2025 may not appear yet. If you want the full underlying dataset for this article or a custom pull for your exact product and mills, connect with me on LinkedIn and send a message. I am happy to share the latest cut and jump on a quick call to discuss PCR fit and operator choices for your upcoming EPDs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which program operator should a European lumber mill choose for fastest time to publish an EPD?
Choose where peers have already published. In this dataset, INIES concentrates most entries across multiple manufacturers, while IBU is also used. Reviewer familiarity often shortens cycles.
Is an A2‑based PCR worth it for dimension lumber?
Yes. A2 entries in this set carry expiries out to 2029, while many A1 entries cluster in 2027. That longer runway reduces renewals before 2030.
Do I need an EPD consultant or can our team do it in‑house?
Half of current EPDs used an external service provider. If resources are tight or you run multiple mills, outsourcing collection and modeling helps you keep schedules and avoid rework. Parq specializes in exactly that.
What if my competitor’s EPD is older than ours?
If both are valid, buyers rarely penalize the older one unless it is close to expiry. The bigger risk is not having a product‑specific EPD at all for bias‑free accounting in tenders.
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.
