EPDs: Your Passport to Hyperscaler Supply Chains
Hyperscaler data centers now treat product carbon like border control. If your product shows up without a credible Environmental Product Declaration, you are not waved through. You are routed to secondary screening while a competitor with a clean, verifiable document gets the loading dock slot and the PO. The metaphor is blunt because it matches the new reality.
The border check is real
Hyperscalers are standardizing carbon due diligence across builds. Procurement teams want verifiable, apples to apples numbers that map into their footprint and supplier scorecards. An EPD is the machine‑readable ID they can trust, not a glossy brochure.
Why the gate tightened in 2024 and 2025
Large tech firms face expanded Scope 3 disclosures under the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, which applies to roughly 50,000 companies and requires detailed value chain reporting when material (European Commission, 2024) (European Commission, 2024). That pressure flows straight to suppliers of concrete, steel, enclosures, MEP gear, and finishes for data halls and campuses.
What the stamp confirms
An EPD packages a product’s life cycle assessment to EN 15804 or ISO 14025 rules, with independent verification and a declared scope, from A1 to A5 at minimum for most construction materials. EPDs are typically valid for five years, after which they must be renewed against the latest PCR and data (IBU Program Rules, 2024) (IBU, 2024). That time box forces continuous improvement and keeps numbers decision grade.
Data center hotspots where passports matter most
Foundation and frame materials carry heavy embodied carbon, so concrete mixes, rebar, structural steel, decking, and facade packages usually hit the checkpoint first. Inside the shell, cable trays, switchgear, racks, and containment add up quickly. When two SKUs perform the same, a verified EPD is the tie breaker that avoids conservative default factors.
LEED points are the fast track
Many hyperscaler campuses pursue LEED for parts of the program or for portfolio consistency. Under LEED v4.1, projects earn one point when at least 20 different permanently installed products from five or more manufacturers have EPDs, with additional credit for improved products by cost (USGBC, 2024) (USGBC, 2024). That turns EPDs from a nice to have into a checklist item the GC and integrator track from day one.
No EPD, slower lane
Without a product specific EPD, buyers often must model your SKU with generic or pessimistic factors. That can penalize your submittal and trigger extra review cycles. Meanwhile a competitor with a third party verified declaration clears quickly. You feel it as delays, price pressure, or a quiet no‑bid.
Getting issued fast without the busywork
Treat EPD creation like you would airport security precheck. Pick a partner who collects the messy plant data for you, coordinates with program operators like Smart EPD or IBU, and translates it into a clean LCA and declaration on a predictable schedule. The best teams combine a purpose built platform with white glove project management so your R and D and plant leaders stay focused on production while the enviromental paperwork gets handled.
Quality control hyperscalers expect
Insist on third party verification, transparent system boundaries, and background datasets that match your markets. Ask for a clear plan to refresh against the next PCR version before the five year mark. Stay operator agnostic so the declaration lands where your customers prefer to read it, whether US or EU.
Final boarding call
EPDs will not win a spec by themselves, but they now decide who boards first. Secure the passport, keep it current, and your products move at the speed of hyperscaler procurement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific LEED v4.1 requirement makes EPDs commercially valuable for data center projects?
LEED v4.1 awards one point when a project uses at least 20 different permanently installed products with EPDs from five or more manufacturers, plus additional credit for improved products by cost (USGBC, 2024).
How long is an EPD typically valid before it must be renewed?
Five years, per common program rules such as the IBU General Program Instructions, with renewal against the latest PCR and data (IBU, 2024).
Why do hyperscalers now push suppliers for product‑level carbon data?
Expanded Scope 3 reporting under CSRD is increasing the need for auditable supplier data across portfolios. That pressure propagates through construction supply chains that serve global tech firms (European Commission, 2024).
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.
