EPD Australasia, explained for manufacturers
Selling into Australia or New Zealand and hearing Green Star on every brief? EPD Australasia is the local route to publish product‑specific EPDs that buyers recognize, assess quickly, and reward in project scoring. Here is how the operator works, where it shines commercially, and what to watch so your next declaration lands on time and pulls its weight.
Who they are
EPD Australasia is the regional program operator for Australia and New Zealand, operating in partnership with the International EPD System. Their role is to register and publish third‑party verified EPDs so specifiers can compare products with confidence. The focus is construction, yet they accept other product categories where robust PCRs exist.
What they publish and the rulebook they follow
Publications follow ISO 14025 and EN 15804 with verification under the International EPD System’s GPI 5 rule set. GPI 5 was released on 19 June 2024 with a 90‑day transition for governance and verification updates, while LCA and content changes phase in as PCRs update (EPD Australasia, 2024). An EPD is normally valid for three or five years, with updates required if results change materially during that period (EPD Australasia, 2025).
Why Green Star projects care
Green Star now allocates 7 Responsible Product Value points to product‑specific EPDs published with this operator. That is up from 5, and the uplift applies retrospectively, which makes existing EPDs more valuable in current bids (EPD Australasia, 2025). If your pipeline is Green Star heavy, this bump can shift shortlists in your favor without touching price.
Government tenders and the ESP Policy
From 1 July 2024 the Australian Government’s Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy applies to construction services procurements at or above AUD 7.5 million. Additional categories join from 1 July 2025. Environmental performance evidence is expected in bids, which makes verified declarations a practical asset in tender responses (Department of Finance, 2026).
Fees you should plan for
EPD Australasia charges a one‑time joining fee (NZD 1,800 or AUD 1,710) and annual fees that scale by company size, roughly AUD 790 to AUD 4,700. Registration for up to 150 EPDs is listed as no additional charge. Preparation and verification costs are separate and paid to your LCA partner or verifier (EPD Australasia, 2025). This is not the total EPD cost, only the operator’s portion of the budget.
Process options and support
Manufacturers can use independent third‑party verification for each EPD or follow a process‑certification route where appropriate under the International EPD System. EPD Australasia does not create LCAs or EPDs, yet they maintain lists of consultants and approved pre‑verified tools to streamline delivery (EPD Australasia, 2025). Pick a partner who handles data wrangling inside your plants, not just modeling, so your team keeps focus on production.
Timelines and practical scheduling
The operator publishes reminders for year‑end cutoffs to avoid holiday delays, which hints at predictable volume spikes in November and December (EPD Australasia, 2025). Plan your data year early, align PCR versions, and reserve verifier time before you announce timelines to sales. The rules are strict and it moves fast, which is good for teams that is pressed for time.
When EPD Australasia is a strong fit
Choose this route when Australia or New Zealand drives a meaningful share of revenue, when Green Star points influence specs, and when government clients reference ESP Policy language in tenders. If your buyers ask for clear A1 to A3 results, locally recognized verification, and easy database discovery in the region, publishing here reduces friction at the moment of choice.
A simple path to fewer lost specs
Publish where your customers evaluate. For Australasia, that often means placing a product‑specific, third‑party verified EPD with this program so project teams can check the box quickly, then compare deeper on performance, supply, and price. Dont wait for a competitor’s EPD to block your entrance to the shortlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed for EPDs in Green Star scoring in December 2025 and why it matters for bids?
Green Star lifted the Responsible Product Value for product‑specific EPDs from 5 to 7 and applied it retrospectively. An existing, verified EPD now contributes more to Responsible Products credits, improving bid math for projects targeting a Green Star rating (EPD Australasia, 2025).
Does the Australian Government’s ESP Policy create a hard requirement for EPDs?
The ESP Policy sets environmental expectations in procurements from 1 July 2024 for construction services at or above AUD 7.5 million and adds other categories from 1 July 2025. It does not mandate EPDs specifically, but verified declarations often serve as credible evidence in responses (Department of Finance, 2026).
What operator fees should we expect separate from LCA work?
A joining fee of NZD 1,800 or AUD 1,710 and scaled annual fees by size, roughly AUD 790 to AUD 4,700, with no extra charge to register up to 150 EPDs. LCA, reporting, and verification are separate costs paid to your chosen partners (EPD Australasia, 2025).
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.
