EPDs are an investment, not a cost center
If an EPD only lives in a compliance folder, it feels like a receipt. Put it in your go to market and it behaves like a keycard that opens projects you could not even knock on before. The difference is strategy, not spend.
Treat the EPD like a product feature
An EPD is not paperwork, it is proof. Treated as a feature, it sharpens positioning, removes buyer friction, and keeps price from being the only lever. Teams that place the declaration alongside performance data in submittals see faster yes decisions, not louder maybe.
Policies are already rewarding ready products
California sets explicit global warming potential limits and requires facility specific EPDs for eligible projects, with limits such as 1,010 kg CO2e per metric ton for hot rolled structural steel effective January 1, 2025 (California DGS BCCA, 2025). The state has required facility specific EPDs on eligible capital projects since July 1, 2022 (California DGS Real Estate Services Division, 2025). Colorado’s policy requires specifying EPDs for eligible materials beginning January 1, 2024 and directs the Office of the State Architect to set and periodically review maximum GWP limits (Buy Clean Colorado OSA, 2025). This is not theory, it is bid math.
The five year clock is your planning edge
Most major program operators state that published EPDs are valid for five years, then require an update to stay current, which creates a predictable renewal window manufacturers can plan around (IBU, 2024). EPD International also requires an annual internal follow up to keep data current during that five year period, which helps avoid last minute scrambles when auditors ask for the background report (EPD International, 2025). A calm pipeline beats a cliff every time.
Verification capacity is tight, so schedule like a pro
European operators have publicly noted rising verification workload and costs. IBU adjusted its verification fee from €2,000 to €2,700 for EPDs submitted on or after September 1, 2025, citing about a 40 percent increase in external verification costs and a limited pool of qualified verifiers (IBU, 2025). The signal is clear, reliable third party review time is scarce.
The ROI stack, in plain sight
EPDs pay back as soon as they remove conservative default factors or outright eligibility barriers in procurement. That shows up as access, speed, and margin retention. A simple way to frame it:
- Incremental projects unlocked that required product specific third party verified EPDs
- Bid cycle time saved when reviewers accept complete, comparable declarations
- Discount avoided when the EPD prevents penalties tied to generic or missing data
If trusted numbers for your product line are missing, say so and model ranges. Precision beats invention.
Data collection is where time vanishes
The heaviest lift is not modeling, it is chasing utility bills, batch records, and waste data across sites. Handing off that wrangling to a partner that works white glove through operations and R and D reduces interruption and keeps engineers focused on throughput. We care a lot about this part because internal time is the rarest budget.
Choose where to publish with your buyers in mind
Program operators shape recognition in different markets. Smart EPD is widely used in the United States and IBU in Germany, both aligning to ISO 14025 and EN 15804 conventions. Publishing with the operator your customers already check increases trust at first glance. Mutual recognition pathways can extend reach without duplicate technical work, yet local rules may still apply in places like France or the Netherlands.
Build an EPD roadmap, not a one off
Group related SKUs under the same PCR where allowed, stage plants in waves, and avoid launching everything near peak bid season. Track PCR revisions so your next renewal lands on the current rulebook. When new products enter, consider a prospective EPD to win early access, then replace it once a full reference year is available if the operator permits. Done right, the EPD becomes a compounding asset. Done hurried, it becomes a fire drill that no one enjoys, defintely not sales.
What to do this quarter
Pick one high volume or high margin product family and set a five year EPD plan. Confirm the governing PCR and the intended program operator. Map the data owners at each site and lock time on their calendars. Align submittal templates so the EPD travels with performance specs. Then measure wins that would have been disqualified or discounted without it. The budget feels like cost only once, the access lasts for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific policies show that EPDs affect bids right now?
California’s Buy Clean sets explicit GWP limits for steel, glass, and insulation and requires facility specific EPDs for eligible projects, with limits like 1,010 kg CO2e per metric ton for hot rolled structural steel effective 2025 (California DGS BCCA, 2025). Colorado requires EPDs for eligible materials in state projects starting January 1, 2024 and reviews GWP limits on a set cycle (Buy Clean Colorado OSA, 2025).
How long do EPDs stay valid and what happens in between?
Most programs state a five year validity from publication, after which an update is needed to stay current (IBU, 2024). EPD International also requires an annual internal follow up during that period to keep information up to date, which can trigger updates when changes exceed materiality thresholds (EPD International, 2025).
Why plan publication dates rather than publish everything at once?
Verification capacity and internal reviewer time are finite. IBU has noted rising demand and increased verification fees effective September 1, 2025, which hints at a tight market for reviews and scheduling slots (IBU, 2025). Staggering publications reduces risk of expiries clustering later.
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.
