Welcome, IPEX, to the EPD arena
PVC piping shows up in almost every project scope. When specifiers ask for product‑specific carbon data and only some brands can answer, bids tilt quickly. IPEX just changed its answer from “working on it” to “here it is,” which matters for every DWV package chasing performance, price and paperwork in one go.
What IPEX just published
IPEX released its first-ever Environmental Product Declarations in July 2025. The initial set covers PVC Schedule 40 piping systems for DWV applications and is scoped as a system EPD that includes both pipe and common fittings in a representative design scenario. The declared design basis is 1,000 linear feet of rigid PVC pipe with 234 fittings and a 50-year reference service life, aligned to plumbing use in North America.
Program operator and rulebook
The EPDs are verified and published through UL Solutions. The technical rulebook they cite is the Product Category Rules for Rigid and Flexible Building Piping Systems in North America (PCR‑1002). This keeps the comparison set clean for apples-to-apples DWV evaluations across brands.
How many and how broad
There are three current IPEX declarations in this first wave, each labeled PVC Schedule 40 Piping System and mapped to MasterFormat 22 10 00. All share the same July 2025 issue timing and are current through July 2030. Scope notes point to multiple diameters typical of DWV and clarify that fittings are included, which is useful since project teams install systems, not orphaned sticks of pipe.
LCA developer credits
The public record for these documents does not name a third-party LCA consultant. If that changes, we will update this note so teams can understand who stood behind the modeling and verification. Not listing a developer is acceptable as long as verification is clear and complete.
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Why it matters commercially
On jobs that require product‑specific, third‑party verified EPDs, products without a declaration are modeled with conservative defaults. That can make otherwise comparable products look heavier on carbon, and they get value‑engineered out while teams race the schedule. A current DWV system EPD from IPEX gives estimators a clean submittal with fewer back‑and‑forths, and it keeps PVC in play without forcing a price‑only decision.
The competitive picture in piping
Under the North American piping PCR cited above, current coverage is still thin. IPEX now represents most of the up‑to‑date entries for rigid PVC DWV systems, with one additional current entry visible from another producer under the same PCR. Commonly encountered DWV competitors in North America include Charlotte Pipe, JM Eagle, and Westlake Pipe & Fittings. We did not see current listings for those brands under this exact PCR at the time of writing, which suggests IPEX just moved from catching up to setting the pace in Schedule 40 DWV transparency.
What spec teams should expect inside the docs
- A clear declared unit and system boundary appropriate for installation reality (pipes plus fittings)
- A50-year reference service life for use-phase modeling consistency
- A UL-verified dataset suitable for LEED v5 materials documentation and owner ESG reporting
If your project templates rely on Division 22 submittal bundles, keeping pipe and fittings under one EPD simplifies internal reviews and avoids duplicate attachments.
Quick background on IPEX
IPEX manufactures thermoplastic piping systems used across plumbing, mechanical, industrial, municipal, and electrical markets in North America. That footprint means a single DWV system EPD can ripple across many bids, from core-and-shell multifamily to healthcare renovations where documentation discipline is strict.
Are the new EPDs on IPEX’s website yet
We looked for a dedicated sustainability or EPD page on ipexna.com and could not find the new documents. If they are live in a subpage or distributor portal, they were not readily discoverable. Visibility matters because estimators copy what they can grab fast, so posting a simple “Environmental Product Declarations” page and linking each PDF is an easy win for pipeline velocity. Small change, outsized visiblity.
Takeaway for manufacturers watching this move
First EPDs do not need to boil the ocean. Start with the workhorse systems that touch the most bids and align to the PCR competitors will use. Keep the scope practical so submittals mirror how products are actually installed. Then build from there. IPEX just entered the transparency arena with DWV system coverage that helps specifiers say yes, and that is where momentum starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product categories are covered by IPEX’s first EPDs and how are they scoped
PVC Schedule 40 DWV piping systems under MasterFormat 22 10 00, scoped as a system EPD that includes representative pipes plus fittings over a 50‑year reference service life.
Which program operator issued IPEX’s first EPDs and what PCR do they use
They are verified and published with UL Solutions and cite the Product Category Rules for Rigid and Flexible Building Piping Systems in North America (PCR‑1002).
Do competitors have similar DWV EPD coverage today
Coverage under the same North American piping PCR remains limited. IPEX accounts for most current entries we observed, with one other current entry from another producer. High‑profile DWV brands like Charlotte Pipe, JM Eagle, and Westlake Pipe & Fittings were not visible under that exact PCR at the time of writing.
Where can specifiers find the IPEX EPDs online
We did not find them on ipexna.com during our check. Posting them on a dedicated Sustainability or EPD page is recommended so estimators can download quickly for Division 22 submittals.
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.
