October 2025 EPD News Round-Up by Region
Regulators cranked up embodied-carbon demands from California to Brussels this month while rating tools in Australia quietly absorbed more than a thousand fresh EPDs. If your product still travels without its environmental passport, the road is about to get bumpy.
North America
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opened no-cost advisory services on October 24 to help manufacturers draft first-time EPDs and prep for its forthcoming low-carbon label (EPA, 2025). Caltrans kept the pressure on infrastructure suppliers by reminding bidders that asphalt and concrete EPDs will be mandatory for projects bidding after February 1 ( Caltrans, 2025 ). Sales teams in paving and ready-mix should mark their calendars—missing that doc equals a no-bid.
Europe
Brussels launched public consultation on a delegated act that will standardise whole-building global-warming-potential calculations across the EU from 2028 onward (DG Energy, 2025). At the product level, lawmakers also finalised extended-producer-responsibility rules for textiles and green-lit new containment standards for plastic pellets, both moves likely to ripple into PCR updates by 2026 (EU Parliament, 2025). Translation: expect tightened data checks when your next renewal rolls around.
Asia–Pacific
Green Star Buildings v1.1 opened for registrations on October 21, nudging project teams toward tougher upfront-carbon credits that lean heavily on verified EPDs (GBCA, 2025). NABERS followed by uploading 1,000 additional EPDs into its embodied-carbon calculator, making it the largest single pull of declarations the tool has ever seen (NABERS, 2025). EPD Australasia’s sold-out Melbourne forum on October 15 underlined the mood: transparency is table-stakes, not a trophy.
Latin America
Chile’s state-owned copper giant Codelco published its first climate-change report on October 16, flagging an LCA-based roadmap to 50 % emission cuts by 2030 (Codelco, 2025). While not an EPD requirement per se, the step signals that big mining will soon demand verified declarations from explosives, grinding media and haul-truck suppliers in its scope-3 push.
Middle East & Africa
Regional uptake stayed slower, but two signals matter. Industry webinars around CIBSE’s TM65 UAE guide continued to draw full rooms, showing that embodied-carbon math is seeping into Dubai tender talk (CIBSE, 2025). In South Africa, a July government report confirmed that public projects are now “increasingly applying EPDs” in cement procurement specs (OECD, 2025). There is still gaps in local PCR coverage, yet buyers clearly want the numbers.
What October’s Moves Mean for Manufacturers
Three threads knit these stories together: deadlines are getting firmer, data fields are getting thicker, and buyers are getting louder. An up-to-date EPD is no longer a green badge—it is fast becoming the key card that unlocks entire bid lists. Knock out the data collection now, because the 2026 rule cascade will not wait for your holiday shutdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a new EPD if my product already has one but Caltrans just updated its list?
Probably not—yet. Existing declarations remain valid until their five-year expiry, but Caltrans may request supplemental data like mix-specific compressive strength. Check the fine print in its August 21 update and plan a reissue if yours expires before February 2030.
Will the EU’s building-level GWP rules force me to change my PCR?
Not immediately. The delegated act targets whole-building certificates, but program operators often align PCRs with such frameworks within two years. Track the revision calendars so you can budget for a mid-cycle update instead of a last-minute scramble.
How do I use NABERS’ new database to my advantage?
If you sell into Australian projects, pull the benchmark GWP for your category from the updated calculator, then highlight any percentage gap your own EPD beats it by. Designers love quick win-win talking points.
Is there free help to create my first EPD?
Yes. The U.S. EPA’s technical-assistance program opened in October 2025 for manufacturers of construction materials. Slots are limited, though, so apply early or partner with a provider that can fast-track the heavy data lift.
About the Author
Eric works at the intersection of sustainability, regulation, and business strategy, helping manufacturers navigate the evolving landscape of EPDs and LCAs. Having spoken with hundreds of teams across North America, brings a deep understanding of what drives ROI, what regulators are asking for, and how companies can stay ahead with smart, scalable approaches to environmental reporting.
