Zebra’s First EPDs Light The Way
Lighting buyers want proof, not promises. With its first Environmental Product Declaration released in July 2025, Zebra just moved from “trust us” to “verify us,” a small document with big spec impact in projects where carbon accounting decides the short list.
What Zebra just shipped
Zebra has published its first-ever EPD, covering the Downlight IZO Switch 6.5W LED. The declaration is product‑specific, not a broad family roll‑up, which helps specifiers compare apples to apples. The record is issued by EPD Hub as the program operator, based on its Core PCR v1.1 from December 2023. An independent LCA partner supported the work without shifting the data burden onto product or plant teams.
Why lighting EPDs matter right now
Luminaires show up by the hundreds on many jobs, so a single model’s transparency can tip whole-room decisions. When a product lacks an EPD, design teams often default to conservative factors that make a bid harder to land. An EPD puts credible numbers on the table, keeps conversations focused on performance and availability, and avoids the quiet penalty of being swapped out late in design.
Product scope in plain English
This first declaration is a downlight for interior applications. It is a specfic, named model with selectable 2700K or 3000K color temperature, which means procurement teams can tag the exact SKU in schedules without guesswork. Starting with a discrete, high‑volume luminaire is a savvy way to enter the transparency arena.
Work for Zebra or selling against them?
Follow us for a product-by-product EPD competitive analysis to see which luminaires get spec'd and how Zebra's first EPD stacks up against Fagerhult and Signify.
The competitive picture
Lighting is one of the most EPD‑active categories in Europe and increasingly in North America. Fagerhult and Signify publish extensive EPD libraries that span luminaires and drivers, and Glamox lists dozens across its portfolio. That means Zebra is stepping into a field where big players already compete on disclosed impacts. The upside is clear, a well‑chosen first model lets Zebra catch up fast where it matters most in retail, hospitality, and workplace fit‑outs.
How a buyer will use this EPD
Spec writers can cite the declaration in Division 26 submittals, attach it to luminaire schedules, and meet owner requirements without introducing alternates late in the game. Contractors can route it to carbon‑tracking workflows that many GCs now expect on larger projects. The clarity reduces back‑and‑forth, which shortens cycle time from submittal to release for fabrication.
Website visibility check
As of January 21, 2026, we did not find this new EPD listed on Zebra’s own site or sustainability pages. Visibility matters, so add a simple EPD hub page that links each declaration to its operator record and to product pages. That one action helps sales, distributors, and specifiers find and reuse the file without hunting.
What to watch next
Momentum favors portfolios, not single stars. Extending coverage to companion wattages, trims, and drivers turns one win into a family advantage. Keep the same PCR and operator where possible for comparability, and publish in batches timed to major line updates so marketing, sales, and distributors can push the story in unison.
The takeaway
Zebra has entered the transparency arena with a targeted, high‑leverage luminaire. In a category where top competitors already disclose, this first EPD is the ticket to more short lists and fewer substitution risks. Add it to the website, expand to the next two product families, and keep the tempo high while buyers are listening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly did Zebra publish with this first EPD?
A product‑specific EPD for the Downlight IZO Switch 6.5W LED, issued by EPD Hub and aligned to its Core PCR v1.1.
Is the declaration for a single product or a product family?
It covers a single, named luminaire model rather than a broad family, which improves comparability in specs.
Which program operator issued Zebra’s first EPD?
EPD Hub issued the declaration, based on its Core PCR v1.1 (December 2023).
How does this change Zebra’s competitive position?
It closes a credibility gap in lighting where peers like Fagerhult, Signify, and Glamox already publish many EPDs. Zebra can now compete with transparent data and build toward portfolio coverage.
What should Zebra do next to maximize ROI from this EPD?
Post it on the website for easy discovery, extend EPDs to adjacent SKUs, and synchronize releases with product updates so sales and distributors can amplify the story.
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.
