EPD Tender Requirements, Decoded

What tenders usually ask for

Most construction tenders want a Type III EPD that follows ISO 14025 and, for building products, EN 15804. It must be third‑party verified, product‑specific, and often plant‑specific. EPDs are typically valid for five years from publication, so buyers will check the date first (EPD International, 2025).

Expect clarity on the declared unit, system boundaries, and which life‑cycle modules are included. Many tenders accept A1 to A3 as a minimum, while some ask for A4 and A5 for logistics and installation. If variants or families are covered, they should be transparently grouped and within allowed ranges.

Where requirements come from

Procurement teams borrow rules from building certifications and public policy. In Europe, EN 15804+A2 formatting is now the norm, and some projects require registration in a national hub. In North America, state programs have real teeth. California’s Buy Clean sets maximum global warming potential limits that your EPD must meet to qualify, for example 755 kg CO2e per metric ton for reinforcing steel and 1,430 kg CO2e per metric ton for flat glass, effective January 1, 2025 (California DGS, 2025). Federal requirements in the United States are in flux in 2025, so many owners lean on state or project‑specific rules.

Proof often lives in registries

Some tenders want evidence in a public database so reviewers can verify quickly. France’s INIES is widely used for RE2020 workflows and listed 5,326 FDES and 1,728 PEP as of November 16, 2025 (INIES, 2025). Germany’s ÖKOBAUDAT and the ECO Platform directory serve similar gatekeeping roles. If a tender names a registry, publish there before you submit.

Read the tender like an LCA practitioner

Scan for five lines that decide your path. The specified PCR and version. The required program operator. The verification type and whether the verifier must be accredited to a specific scheme. The exact unit and modules to declare. Any GWP limits or scoring rules for material classes. If any of those clash with your current EPD, plan an addendum or refresh rather than risk a non‑conformance.

Common pitfalls that sink bids

EPD expired last quarter, so it cannot be used as compliance evidence. Wrong PCR version, especially for construction products transitioning to updated rules, with legacy PCR versions sunsetting on June 20, 2025 in some systems (EPD International, 2025). Average EPD submitted when the tender calls for product‑ and plant‑specific data. Declared unit mismatch, for example per square meter at a specific thermal resistance versus per cubic meter. No registry listing when the tender requires one.

Timelines and the five‑year clock

The five‑year validity usually starts at publication, not at the end of your data reference year. That small detail can shave months off your remaining shelf life if you wait to publish. The safest move is to schedule renewal work well before bids stack up and to track PCR revision dates that might force layout or data updates during renewal (EPD International, 2025).

Minimum kit to qualify for most tenders

• A current, third‑party verified Type III EPD that cites the named PCR and version.
• Clear declared unit and modules, with A1 to A3 at minimum and any required A4 or A5 shown.
• Proof of program‑operator publication and, where requested, a registry link or ID.
• Evidence that results meet any GWP limit the tender sets for the product class.
• A short memo that maps tender clauses to EPD sections, so reviewers can tick boxes quickly.

How to choose who builds your EPD

Look for teams that take on data wrangling inside your org, not ones that push spreadsheets back to you. They should advise on PCR selection, operator choice, and registry strategies, then manage verification so your product team can keep making product. Speed matters for bids, but quality and completeness keep you from rework later. The best partner helps your sales team recieve fewer last‑minute surprises and keeps your spec defensible when it counts.

Why this pays off at tender time

Without a product‑specific EPD, many teams must apply conservative default factors that add penalty points in their carbon accounting. With a current, verifiable EPD that matches the tender’s rulebook, your product can be evaluated on performance and delivery, not deductions. That is how EPDs move from compliance paperwork to a practical sales tool.