Which program operator should a US-based manufacturer pick when projects include Europe?

Consider an operator that supports EN 15804+A2 as well as ISO 21930. Many manufacturers publish with a Europe-recognized scheme such as IBU or the International EPD System for EU bids and ensure the LCA model also supports ISO 21930 language for North American use (IBU, 2025).

Do owners actually require EPDs today or is this just a nice-to-have?

Several public owners and procurers require EPDs in submittals. Caltrans requires EPDs for asphalt and concrete on projects with bid openings from February 1, 2025, which illustrates the shift from optional to expected in state work ([Caltrans, 2025](https://dot.ca.gov/programs/engineering-services/environmental-product-declarations)).

Are digital EPDs accepted by specifiers yet?

PDFs remain the default, but operators are adding digital options. The International EPD System reported 62 fully digital EPDs as of May 2025, and tools increasingly import machine readable records for building LCAs ([EPD International, 2025](https://environdec.com/news/fully-digital-epds)).

EPD program operators: the map and the shortcuts

Q: How many large European operators are there and why does that matter?

ECO Platform categorizes operators by issued ECO EPDs and lists several very large and large programs. Examples as of July 1, 2025 include The International EPD System 12,749, PEP ecopassport 4,740, IBU 2,565, and EPD Italy 1,906. Capacity and recognition vary by operator, which can affect verifier lead time and market acceptance ([ECO Platform, 2025](https://www.eco-platform.org/the-eco-epd-programs.html)).

What a program operator actually does

A program operator runs the rulebook for Type III declarations. They host the EPD library, maintain Product Category Rules, manage verification, assign IDs, and keep records available for the full validity period. Think referee, records office, and distribution channel in one.

The standards that decide acceptance

Most construction EPDs align to ISO 14025 and EN 15804 in Europe or ISO 21930 in North America. The European Commission confirmed EN 15804+A2 as the binding basis for construction sustainability data under the revised CPR, which is why Europe-centered projects expect that format (IBU, 2025). If your sales pipeline crosses the Atlantic, ask for dual alignment that references both EN 15804 and ISO 21930.

The global landscape in one look

There is no single global operator, but a handful handle the majority of construction EPDs. ECO Platform groups European schemes and tracks issued counts. As of July 1, 2025 the site shows examples like The International EPD System 12,749, PEP ecopassport 4,740, IBU 2,565, and EPD Italy 1,906, with several national programs in the hundreds (ECO Platform, 2025). For context, the International EPD System announced it passed 10,000 valid EPDs in 2024 (EPD International, 2024).

North America at a glance

Manufacturers commonly publish with UL Solutions, ASTM International, SCS Global Services, NRMCA for ready-mix concrete, and NAPA’s Emerald Eco-Label for asphalt. State owners increasingly ask for EPD submittals. Caltrans requires EPDs for asphalt and concrete on projects with bid openings starting February 1, 2025 (Caltrans, 2025). If your bids touch state DOTs, pick an operator that those agencies already reference.

Speed hinges on verifiers

Queues form at the verifier bench, not only in the portal. IBU reported roughly 40 percent growth in external verification costs and raised its verification fee from €2,000 to €2,700 effective September 1, 2025 to keep capacity aligned with demand (IBU, 2025). That detail signals a tight market for qualified reviewers. Ask any operator about average verification lead time and how they schedule multi-EPD portfolios.

Where your EPD will be found

Publication is only half the story. Will your declaration be easy to locate in the operator’s library and in national or sector portals used by specifiers. Many European operators also register with ECO Platform so the ECO mark appears alongside the PDF, which helps on EU projects (ECO Platform, 2025). In the US market, owner teams often search the operator’s own library or procurement portals, so make sure the listing is public, searchable, and uses your current product naming.

Digital EPDs are arriving

Static PDFs still dominate, yet machine readable files are gaining traction. The International EPD System reported the first 62 fully digital EPDs in May 2025, a small but meaningful shift that improves data quality and reuse in building LCA tools (EPD International, 2025). If you plan BIM or carbon accounting integrations, confirm the operator’s digital support before you start.

How to choose in practice

Start with your commercial map, then work back to standards.

What jurisdictions and owner types will review the submittal in the next 12 to 24 months.
Which standard do those specs cite: EN 15804+A2, ISO 21930, or both.
Typical verifier lead time for your product category and whether a named verifier is available.
Library visibility and metadata quality: product names, SKUs, plant locations, validity dates.
Renewal posture: when the PCR changes, does the operator offer predictable update paths.

A short checklist to avoid rework

Name your declared unit exactly as competitors do in the same PCR. Confirm background datasets allowed by the operator’s guidance. Align the reference year across all plants. Lock plant addresses and grid regions before modeling. Archive the verification correspondence in your QMS. It sounds basic, but it is definately where teams lose weeks.

The payoff for picking well

A fit-for-purpose operator reduces back-and-forth, shortens verification, and puts your declaration where specifiers actually look. That means fewer emergencies near bid day and more products eligible without price-only battles. Choose the operator that matches your markets and standards, and you turn compliance into a quiet advantage.