KL Industri’s first EPD arrives in RMU switchgear
KL Industri just published its first‑ever Environmental Product Declaration, stepping into the transparency arena right as Europe tightens rules on SF6 in medium‑voltage gear. That timing turns a compliance headache into a commercial lever for any grid, industrial campus, or renewables site buying RMUs in 2026 and beyond.
What dropped in January
KL Industri released one new, first‑ever EPD covering its unerRING CCCF ring‑main‑unit switchgear in January 2026. The declaration is published with EPD Hub as the program operator. EC3 listings do not name a separate LCA developer for this document.
Why this is market‑relevant now
Across the EU, commissioning new MV switchgear up to and including 24 kV that uses fluorinated gases is prohibited starting in 2026 (EUR‑Lex, 2024) (EUR‑Lex, 2024). National guidance has echoed the rollout and clarified milestone dates for operators and buyers (Finnish Environment Institute, 2025) (Syke, 2025). An RMU EPD published now aligns procurement with those rules and removes ambiguity in carbon accounting when bids compare SF6‑free options.
The product in scope
The unerRING RMU is described as a solid‑insulated, SF6‑free medium‑voltage switchgear designed for personal safety and operational reliability. It targets secondary distribution use cases across utilities, infrastructure, and industrial facilities. In short, it’s spec‑ready for the exact projects facing the new SF6 constraints.
Who KL Industri serves
KL Industri builds power‑grid substations, switchgear, and related equipment for Nordic utilities and energy‑intensive customers, with a clear push toward SF6‑free solutions highlighted on its site (KL Industri – About and Quality & environment). That’s the backdrop that makes this first EPD more than a checkbox. It’s a door‑opener for framework agreements and public tenders where product‑specific declarations are now expected.
Work for KL Industri or competing in the RMU space?
Follow us for a product-by-product analysis to see which switchgear EPDs are spec'd and where your competitors like ABB and Schneider Electric stand.
Competitive snapshot
Here’s how immediate peers look in EC3 for similar categories as of February 5, 2026:
- ABB. Broad EPD coverage across electrical components and low‑voltage switchgear is visible in EC3. We did not see a product‑specific RMU EPD listed.
- Schneider Electric. EC3 shows limited entries under electrical categories during this window, and none we saw were RMU‑specific.
- Siemens. EC3 entries are present in controls and related devices, not ring‑main‑unit switchgear.
Takeaway. KL Industri’s RMU EPD narrows a proven gap. In RMUs, many household‑name competitors are not yet showing product‑specific declarations in EC3. That makes this debut useful for head‑to‑head bids where an EPD can tip a spec away from a generic penalty toward the published number.
What this unlocks for sales and specification
An EPD moves conversations from “do you have documentation” to “here’s the verified number.” That shortens qualification loops with engineering teams and reduces the chance of being swapped for a competitor late in the bid when whole‑building carbon math is finalized. It’s definately the kind of proof that helps sales avoid price‑only showdowns.
Visibility check on KL Industri’s site
We could not find a public EPD download on KL Industri’s website as of February 5, 2026. Consider adding a short EPD library to the Quality & environment page and cross‑linking from the unerRING product content. Teams searching in a hurry often start from the manufacturer site, and quick access removes friction for estimators and owners.
Our read on the move
This is a smart, well‑timed first step. One RMU EPD won’t end every comparison, yet it sets a baseline, meets the SF6‑free moment, and signals operational maturity to utilities and EPCs. Keep going by broadening coverage to adjacent MV configurations that specifiers bundle in the same purchase, then keep the website easy to navigate so the proof lands in the right hands fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which program operator published KL Industri’s first EPD and when was it released?
EPD Hub published KL Industri’s first‑ever EPD in January 2026.
What product does the EPD cover?
The declaration covers the unerRING CCCF medium‑voltage ring‑main‑unit (RMU) switchgear, described as a solid‑insulated, SF6‑free design.
Do major RMU competitors show similar RMU‑specific EPDs in EC3?
As of February 5, 2026, EC3 shows broad electrical EPDs for ABB, Schneider Electric, and Siemens, but we did not see RMU‑specific declarations listed for those brands.
Is the EU restricting SF6 in MV switchgear and when do rules start to bite?
Yes. Commissioning of MV switchgear up to and including 24 kV that uses F‑gases is banned from 2026 in the EU (EUR‑Lex, 2024) (EUR‑Lex, 2024; Syke, 2025).
About the Author
John brings a clear, research-driven perspective on the EPD, LCA and HPD space and keeps a close pulse on environmental trends and standards in North America, helping clients understand where the industry is heading and how to get there.
