EPDs for Plumbing in Europe, the data-based guide
If you make pipes, fittings, valves, or sanitary drainage systems for Europe, this 2026 snapshot distills the entire EPD landscape into a single page. Based on the public registry architects and specifiers rely on, the numbers below reflect current postings as of Jan 20, 2026.
The 2026 snapshot in one view
Plumbing, piping, and sanitary systems are active but concentrated. Over the last five years, 38 current EPDs were published in Europe by 10 manufacturers through 4 program operators and using 12 distinct PCRs. Momentum is accelerating, with a clear spike in 2025.
The latest issue we see is Oct 12, 2025. It covers Terrain PVC Push‑fit Bends from Polypipe, verified by EPD Hub under “EPD Hub Core PCR version 1.1, 5 Dec 2023,” with validity through Oct 11, 2030. That single entry tells a broader story about which operators and PCRs are shaping plumbing in Europe right now.
Who is publishing, and how concentrated is it
The numbers is clear. Polypipe leads with 18 current EPDs. AVK International and Uponor follow with 6 each. Several familiar names contribute one or two each, including Geberit, Viega, FRÄNKISCHE, Georg Fischer JRG, AQUATECHNIK, and Plastitalia. This spread suggests a competitive core surrounded by selective publishers that likely focus on hero SKUs.
Polypipe’s activity through 2025 tracks with the overall surge. If you compete with any of the leaders above, assume specifiers have ready comparisons. If you are not in that short‑list, every tender that screens for product‑specific EPDs becomes harder to win on anything other than price.
Program operators actually used in Europe for plumbing
Program operator choice often signals go‑to market routes and verification preferences in a category. In plumbing, the mix is compact.
- EPD Hub accounts for 32 current EPDs across 6 manufacturers, a broad base that indicates cross‑manufacturer comfort.
- EPD International AB hosts 3 current EPDs used by 3 different manufacturers, so it functions as a credible secondary choice.
- EPD Norway carries 2 current EPDs from 1 manufacturer, which reads as a focused national pathway.
- ift Rosenheim appears once with 1 current EPD from 1 manufacturer, a precise fit for a specific product line.
When several competitors use the same operator, reviewers and buyers get used to the format, which can shorten clarifications. Diversity still helps risk management, so align PCR fit, timing, and submission queue, not brand familiarity alone.
PCRs that set the rules, with usage and runway
Think of PCRs as the rulebook of Monopoly. If peers use the same edition, reviewers compare apples to apples. Here is what plumbing manufacturers picked in Europe:
| PCR name | Current EPDs | Latest expiry |
|---|---|---|
| EPD Hub Core PCR version 1.1, 5 Dec 2023 | 15 | Oct 11, 2030 |
| EPD International PCR for Construction Products 2019:14 (EN 15804:A2:2019/AC:2021) v1.3.4 | 9 | Oct 11, 2030 |
| Construction products, 2019:14 | 3 | Mar 20, 2030 |
| Part A: Construction Products and Services | 2 | Nov 24, 2028 |
| Product Category Rule for “Higher Performance Polyethylene Pipes and Fittings for Building Equipments (intermediate goods）” | 2 | Dec 12, 2029 |
| PCR 2019:14 Construction products (EN 15804+A2) (1.3.3) | 2 | Jun 1, 2028 |
| Part B: Requirements on the EPD for Metal pipes for domestic installations | 1 | Dec 12, 2029 |
| PCR 2019:14 Construction products (EN 15804:A2) (1.2.5) | 1 | Oct 12, 2027 |
| EN 15804:2012+A2:2019 core rules | 1 | Oct 11, 2030 |
| PCR Under development c‑PCR Plastics piping systems inside buildings (prEN 16904) | 1 | May 3, 2030 |
Two takeaways stand out. First, the EPD Hub Core PCR v1.1 and Environdec’s 2019:14 v1.3.4 now anchor the category, which supports comparability for pipes, fittings, and drainage components. Second, the plastics piping c‑PCR under development shows targeted plumbing scope that can mature into a common path. If you make pressure or non‑pressure indoor piping, keep an eye on that option for your next wave.
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Expiry runway you can plan against
Expiries cluster in 2030 with 25 EPDs reaching term between February and October. Lighter waves appear in 2028 and 2029, with early singles in 2026 and 2027. If your competitor’s key declaration matures in 2030, planning a refreshed LCA in late 2028 or 2029 positions you to publish ahead of the rush and avoid validator bottlenecks.
PCR‑specific notes help shape timing. For example, most entries under EPD Hub Core PCR v1.1 run into 2030. The two Part A EPDs peak in late 2028. Metal pipe Part B lands in December 2029. That cadence suggests a prudent refresh window beginning about four quarters before your own expiry month.
Issuance trend since 2021
The curve steepens. 2025 carries two thirds of all current EPDs in this category. This is the signal to act before the market fully normalizes around comparable plumbing declarations.
| Year | EPDs issued |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 25 |
How much work did EPD service providers do
Service providers were involved in 26 of 38 current EPDs. In practice, that means most manufacturers outsourced the modeling, documentation, and submission legwork to an EPD consultant or an EPD service provider like Parq. If your team is lean, or simply busy, this approach compresses timelines and reduces distraction for engineers and plant leaders who earn revenue elsewhere in the business.
Notably absent or light publishers to watch
We scanned for notable European plumbing players as of Jan 20, 2026. Some are present, some are lighter than expected in product‑specific plumbing EPDs.
- Wavin appears with current EPDs through EPD Norway for specific drainage and rainwater systems. Good coverage for municipal and site systems.
- Aliaxis shows current EPDs with EPD Hub, including traps, shower valves, and PVC‑U pipes. Active presence.
- Valsir lists current EPDs, primarily through EPD Italy, across hydronic and rainwater solutions.
- REHAU Building Solutions does not surface current plumbing product EPDs in the registry snapshot we analyzed. A single current EPD appears for a window system that is outside plumbing scope.
- Pegler and Henco do not surface with current entries in this snapshot.
If you sell against these brands, validate the latest listings before you rely on a perceived gap. If you are one of these brands, a focused plumbing EPD portfolio in 2026 would close comparison gaps in MEP specs. This is definately low hanging fruit for teams with established LCA data pipelines.
What this means for bids and specs in Europe
Where EPD screening is part of the procurement workflow, a product without a product‑specific EPD often gets scored with conservative default factors, which can push it out of contention even when performance is strong. With more plumbing EPDs live, buyers expect to see one for pipes, fittings, siphons, and sanitary drainage. The advantage goes to manufacturers who publish before the rest of their SKU family catches up.
Two practical plays generate lift. First, align to the same PCR your primary competitors use, unless a better scoped, newer PCR becomes available that is clearly more appropriate. Second, publish the models buyers will actually evaluate, which often means common diameters, materials, and connection types for your top three product families.
How to pick a PCR and operator in 2026
Start with competitive alignment. If your closest peers use EPD Hub Core PCR v1.1 or Environdec 2019:14 v1.3.4, those are your default candidates. Validate fit for your scope, especially for plastic piping systems inside buildings where the c‑PCR trajectory looks promising. Check validator queues, language needs, and the geographies where you sell most frequently. The right operator is the one that gets a high‑quality, verifiable document in front of reviewers on time.
If your portfolio spans metal and plastic, split the work into two tracks. Use the relevant Part B for metal domestic pipe systems where applicable, and a plastics‑focused PCR for PP, PE, or PVC systems inside buildings. That gives reviewers clean comparisons and avoids scope conflict inside a single declaration.
One last thing
This article is based on the global public registry most specifiers use. Due to normal loading delays, some EPDs from the second half of 2025 may not appear yet. If you want the full up‑to‑date background data or you want a quick read on the best fit PCR for your upcoming EPDs, connect with me on LinkedIn and send a short note. I am happy to hop on a quick call and help at no cost to point you in the right direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many current plumbing EPDs are in Europe over the last five years and how many manufacturers published them
There are 38 current EPDs from 10 manufacturers across Europe in the last five years. Activity spikes in 2025 with 25 issues.
Which program operator is most commonly used for plumbing EPDs in Europe
EPD Hub is the most used, with 32 current EPDs across 6 manufacturers. EPD International AB follows with 3 current EPDs across 3 manufacturers, then EPD Norway with 2 and ift Rosenheim with 1.
Which PCRs are most popular for plumbing EPDs in Europe
The two anchors are EPD Hub Core PCR version 1.1, 5 Dec 2023 with 15 EPDs and Environdec’s 2019:14 v1.3.4 with 9 EPDs. Several others appear in smaller numbers, including Part A, metal pipe Part B, and a c‑PCR for plastics piping systems inside buildings that runs to 2030.
When do most plumbing EPDs in Europe expire
Expiry dates cluster in 2030, with lighter waves in 2028 and 2029 and isolated expiries in 2026 and 2027.
How often did manufacturers use an EPD service provider
Service providers were involved in 26 of 38 current EPDs in this category, suggesting most teams preferred expert support for modeling and verification.
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.
