EPDs for Paints and Coatings in Europe
If you make architectural paints, powder coatings, or protective coatings in Europe, this 2026 field guide shows exactly who is publishing EPDs, which program operators and PCRs they use, and where expiries will bite. The analysis is based on the global public registry most specifiers consult. Recent postings from late 2025 may still be trickling in due to typical registry loading delays.
The 2026 snapshot, at a glance
Across Europe, 32 currently valid EPDs for painting and coating products are on record over the last five years. These came from 7 manufacturers, issued through 3 program operators, and based on 7 different PCRs. The latest issue we see is Bostik’s AS‑100 on Oct 13, 2023, verified by NSF International and using the Architectural Coatings PCR, with an expiry on Oct 13, 2028.
A quick read: the category is active but concentrated. Powder coatings show strong coverage. Architectural paint EPDs exist, though many date to 2021.
Releases by year
The surge was in 2021, followed by a quieter period. If you have a product without an EPD, the slower tempo since 2022 is an opening to stand out on specs.
| Year | EPDs issued |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
Who is publishing: manufacturers to watch
Sherwin Williams leads with 15 EPDs, well ahead of a tight pack that includes Bostik with 4, Cromology Italia S.P.A. with 3, Dyo with 3, Flügger Norway A/S with 3, and VikØrsta AS with 1. EPD International AB appears as manufacturer on 3 EPDs, which typically signals program-initiated or private‑label documents rather than a classical brand portfolio.
What this means commercially is simple. If your brand is absent in a reseller or public-bid channel where EPDs are requested, competitors with published declarations will be evaluated faster and with fewer penalty assumptions on carbon accounting. That is avoidable.
Program operators: where declarations land
Four labels show up in the data. NSF International accounts for 17 EPDs across 2 manufacturers, indicating heavy reliance by a small group. EPD International AB lists 12 across 4 manufacturers, showing broader adoption. EPD Norway has 1 across 1 manufacturer. Two EPDs lack a program operator listing in the public view, which is unusual and worth tidying before key tenders.
Operator choice is not only a logo choice. In Europe, specifiers expect EN 15804 alignment and clean comparability across cradle‑to‑gate modules. Publishing with a well‑recognized operator can shorten back‑and‑forth in specification cycles.
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PCRs used most, and what expires when
Picking the right PCR is like choosing the rulebook before gameplay. The market follows a small set of references today, which makes your selection both strategic and practical.
| PCR name | EPDs | Latest expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Product Category Rule for Environmental Product Declarations: PCR for Powder Coatings | 13 | Nov 17, 2026 |
| Unknown PCR | 5 | Feb 8, 2026 |
| PCR 2019:14 Construction products (EN 15804+A2) (1.3.3) | 4 | Jan 8, 2028 |
| Product Category Rule for Environmental Product Declarations - Architectural Coatings | 4 | Oct 13, 2028 |
| PCR EPD Norway EN15804 | 3 | Feb 8, 2026 |
| Product Category Rules: Part A (Ireland) | 2 | Feb 16, 2027 |
| Part B: Requirements on the EPD for Coatings with organic binders | 1 | Feb 9, 2026 |
Two takeaways stand out. First, Powder Coatings dominate in count and face a cluster of expiries on Nov 17, 2026. Second, several smaller cohorts sit on early 2026 expiries. If you renew in 2026, plan for updated A2‑conformant modeling and align with your operator’s current Part A and product‑specific Part B references.
Expiry risk in the next five years
Here is where timing can hurt or help. Twenty EPDs in this category expire in 2026, then a lull, then a second wave in 2028. Marketing and sales teams should pencil renewal workbacks now, not two months before an RFQ.
| Year | EPDs expiring |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 |
| 2027 | 3 |
| 2028 | 7 |
| 2029 | 0 |
| 2030 | 0 |
A practical rule. If your EPD expires in 2026, budget the update in Q1 so you are not scrambling mid‑year when bids land. Five‑year validity can feel long until it is not.
The role of EPD consultants and service providers
Five of the EPDs here list a third‑party EPD consultant or service provider. That is consistent with what we see across construction manufacturing where internal teams are stretched and data wrangling is the bottleneck. When selecting a partner, prioritize speed and completeness of data collection, operator‑agnostic publishing, and strong EN 15804 proficiency. If you want an example of a full‑service model, see Parq, which pairs software with a white‑glove team to cut cycle time and internal effort.
Spotlight on the latest publication
The most recent issue in this dataset is Bostik’s AS‑100 on Oct 13, 2023 under NSF International, using the Architectural Coatings PCR and expiring Oct 13, 2028. For competitors, this is a helpful benchmark on operator choice and PCR fit for architectural paint families.
Notably absent or limited in Division 09
As of Jan 21, 2026 we do not find current Division 09 paint and coating EPDs in the public registry for Hempel or Teknos. Kansai Helios shows a limited footprint in this category. AkzoNobel does appear via Interpon powder coatings with current EPDs valid into 2028, and PPG and Jotun are well represented. This can change quickly as declarations post, yet the gap today is visible to specifiers. If you are in these portfolios, the opportunity to be first‑in‑class for specific subcategories is real.
How to pick the best‑fit PCR for your upcoming EPD
The smartest path is to align with what your competitors used unless there is a clear benefit to moving categories. Consider three filters.
- Match the dominant PCR your direct competitors use for close comparability.
- Check expiry windows. A PCR with a far‑future horizon cuts near‑term rework.
- Pick the program operator your target specifiers recognize in your key markets.
If you want a sanity check on the best fit, connect with me on LinkedIn and send a note. I am happy to share the full, up‑to‑date dataset behind this article and jump on a quick call to map the PCR and operator that give you the cleanest commercial edge.
Use this as your 2026 field guide
Europe’s paints and coatings EPD landscape is active, concentrated, and heading into a 2026 renewal wave. Powder coatings lead in count. Architectural paint is steady but ripe for new entrants that want a first‑page position in specs. If you are starting from zero, an EPD consultant can shorten the road from plant data to publication. If you are renewing, this is the year to upgrade comparability and narrative. It is definately worth doing right.
Note on data. This guide is grounded in the global public EPD registry that architects and specifiers rely on. Due to normal publication and indexing lag, EPDs issued in the second half of 2025 may not yet be fully visible. Reach out on LinkedIn for the freshest cut and we will walk you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most used PCRs for paint and coatings EPDs in Europe right now?
Powder coatings dominate by count in this dataset, followed by general EN 15804 Part A plus product‑specific Part B rules and the Architectural Coatings PCR. Several cohorts expire in 2026, with another wave in 2028, so plan renewals with those windows in mind.
Which program operators handle most paint and coating EPDs in Europe?
NSF International carries the largest block in this sample, with EPD International AB close behind and broader across manufacturers. EPD Norway appears, though in smaller numbers. Operator choice affects recognition and review time in bids.
How many declarations involved an external EPD service provider?
Five EPDs list a third‑party consultant or service provider, which aligns with the trend of outsourcing heavy data collection and modeling to speed publication.
What timing risk should manufacturers watch in 2026?
Twenty declarations expire in 2026. Teams should schedule their LCA update and verification early in the year to avoid gaps during tender season and to adopt the most current EN 15804 references.
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.
