EPDs for Exterior Gypsum Sheathing in Europe: The Guide
Planning an EPD for exterior gypsum sheathing in 2026? Here is the full, data‑based picture for Europe, including who published what, which PCRs dominate, and when renewals hit. The short version: the market is small, concentrated, and facing a synchronized expiry wave in 2026. Use this to plan your next move before competitors do.
What we mean by “gypsum sheathing board”
Also called exterior gypsum sheathing, gypsum exterior sheathing, or glass‑mat gypsum sheathing, this is the board layer sitting behind rainscreens or claddings to stiffen walls and protect assemblies during construction. It is different from interior plasterboard and different from cement boards.
Europe’s 5‑year snapshot, at a glance
- 5 current EPDs in the last five years for this category in Europe.
- 4 manufacturers published them across 2 program operators.
- 4 distinct PCRs were used.
- Latest issue on record in the public registry was on Oct 7, 2021.
Why it matters commercially: a product without a product‑specific, third‑party verified EPD often carries a penalty in carbon‑accounted bids, which means it gets considered less, even if performance is strong. An EPD keeps you in the spec conversation rather than competing on price alone.
Program operators manufacturers chose
Two operators carried all declarations in this category over the last five years. EPD International AB hosted 4 EPDs across 3 manufacturers. ASTM International hosted 1 EPD for 1 manufacturer. That split signals architects and LCA reviewers are accustomed to seeing this category in European projects published with EN‑aligned operators, with a minority published via ASTM for gypsum panels.
Who published EPDs
Publishing manufacturers were British Gypsum Saint‑Gobain, Gyproc AB in Sweden, Knauf Insulation, and Saint‑Gobain. The field is not crowded, so a single new EPD can reset the benchmark others are compared to. If you ship across multiple countries, one well targeted declaration can unlock a surprising number of tenders.
Which PCRs were used, and what that means
Think of a PCR as the rulebook of Monopoly. Ignore it and the game falls apart. Most sheathing EPDs here still rely on EN 15804 A1 frameworks or generic construction PCRs. Only one instance sits under a generic EN 15804 entry that aligns with A2‑era structure. EN 15804 A2 was published in 2019 and corrected in 2021, and it is now the core ruleset European databases expect for new EPDs (CEN EN 15804:2012+A2:2019 and AC:2021, 2019–2021) (CEN, 2019).
PCR usage details
| PCR | EPDs | Latest expiry |
|---|---|---|
| CEN standard EN 15804 | 1 | Feb 28, 2026 |
| PCR 2012:01 Construction products and construction services (EN 15804:A1) | 2 | May 23, 2026 |
| PCR 2012:01 Construction products and construction services (EN 15804:A1) (expired) (2.34) | 1 | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Product Category Rule for Environmental Product Declarations: PCR for Gypsum Panel Products | 1 | May 1, 2026 |
Implication for manufacturers: plan renewals on EN 15804 A2‑aligned PCRs to avoid surprises in national tools and to future‑proof comparability. INIES explicitly treats FDES as five‑year instruments, and A1‑based records are being phased from French workflows, with a temporary extension to July 1, 2026 for some A1 files to ease RE2020 implementation (INIES, 2026) (INIES, 2026).
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Issuance trend
All five EPDs were issued in 2021, then the category went quiet. That does not mean demand vanished. It means the renewal window is now.
| Year | EPDs issued |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
Latest on record was webertherm 500, issued Oct 7, 2021 by Gyproc AB in Sweden, published with EPD International AB under PCR 2012:01, expiring Oct 6, 2026.
The 2026 expiry wall
Every current EPD in this category expires in 2026. The earliest date is Feb 28, and the latest is Oct 6. That synchronization creates a brief window to leapfrog peers by renewing first on EN 15804 A2. FDES and EPD validity is typically five years in European programs, which means a lapse can block projects that require verified declarations until a renewal posts (INIES, 2025–2026) (INIES, 2025).
Expiry outlook provided by the registry:
- 2026: 5
- 2027: 0
- 2028–2030: 0
EPD consultants were involved in 100% of cases
All five declarations were produced with help from an external EPD service provider. That is common for sheathing boards where data collection spans quarries, board lines, paper, additives, logistics, and plant energy. If you want this to move fast, pick a partner who does the heavy lifting on data wrangling rather than handing you a spreadsheet to fill. Parq is an example of a white‑glove EPD service provider that can handle both the data hunt and the modeling while your team stays focussed on making product (Parq).
Program operator choice and market signaling
EPD International AB appears to be the home base for most European gypsum sheathing EPDs in the last cycle. ASTM’s gypsum panel PCR also appears once, which can fit cross‑regional portfolios, yet European buyers and national databases generally key off EN 15804. CEN’s A2 framework is the touchstone standard in this space and has been since 2019, including its 2021 corrigendum (CEN, 2019–2021) (CEN, 2019).
Practical playbook for a 2026 EPD or renewal
- Decide on scope early. Exterior sheathing often sees cradle‑to‑gate with options plus typical installation and end‑of‑life scenarios. Align with A2 reporting categories to keep data comparable.
- Lock your PCR and operator. If France is in scope, confirm acceptance in INIES and timing for any A1 sunset rules. FDES are valid five years, so work back from the first sales quarter you must cover (INIES, 2025–2026) (INIES, 2025).
- Front‑load data collection. Pull 12 months of operations data for the reference year, or use a prospective approach if the line is new. A great partner will chase utility bills, weigh tickets, and transport legs so your team does not stall.
Watch‑outs specific to gypsum sheathing
- Material taxonomy matters. Exterior gypsum sheathing can be confused with interior plasterboard or with cement boards. Mislabeling kills comparability later.
- Glass mat, moisture‑resistant cores, and weather‑exposure assumptions change A1–A3 results. Do not borrow datasets from interior boards.
- Regional electricity mixes and paper sourcing swing results, so treat plant‑level modeling as a must‑have, not a nice‑to‑have.
One more thing about validity and databases
European programs state five‑year validity for declarations, including France’s INIES program for FDES, which is explicit on the five‑year rule and verification requirements (INIES, 2025–2026) (INIES, 2025). The ECO EPD mark refresh and other formalities also evolved in recent years, which is a reminder to check small details when you publish across markets (EPD International, 2021) (EPD International, 2021).
If you are just starting
Start now. With every EPD in this category expiring during 2026, the first mover on an A2‑aligned renewal or new entry becomes the de facto benchmark. Get the rulebook right, collect clean site data, and publish where your buyers actually look. It is definately worth the calendar time.
Data scope and how to get the full dataset
This guide uses counts and details drawn from the global public registry that most specifiers consult. Due to loading delays, some late 2025 publications may not appear yet. If you want the full, up‑to‑date background tables and my notes, connect with me on LinkedIn and send a quick message. Happy to share the data and hop on a short call to help pick the best fit PCR for your upcoming EPDs based on the competitive landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many EPDs for exterior gypsum sheathing are currently valid in Europe over the last five years?
Five, all issued in 2021, with expiries clustered in 2026.
Which program operators were used most often for this category?
EPD International AB hosted four declarations across three manufacturers. ASTM International hosted one declaration for one manufacturer.
Which PCRs were used and which should we pick for 2026?
Four PCRs appear in the data, mostly EN 15804 A1 families or generic construction PCRs. For 2026, plan on an EN 15804 A2‑aligned PCR to keep alignment with European databases and buyer expectations (CEN, 2019–2021).
Do we need an EPD consultant or can we do this in‑house?
All five EPDs were produced with help from an external service provider. You can do it in‑house, yet most manufacturers choose a specialist to avoid slowing production and to keep modeling consistent. A white‑glove provider like Parq can handle data collection and coordination.
How long are EPDs valid in European programs?
Five years is the norm for FDES in France and is consistent across leading European programs, which is crucial for renewal planning in 2026 (INIES, 2025–2026).
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.
