Is there an industry‑wide EPD for bitumen membranes?
Short answer for anyone searching “industry‑wide EPD bitumen roofing membranes” or “sector average EPD”: yes, in Europe there is a published sector EPD for flexible bitumen roof sheets. In North America, industry‑average EPDs exist for modified bitumen roof systems via the asphalt roofing trade association. The smarter play for manufacturers is to treat those as conservative benchmarks and out‑perform them with a product‑specific EPD.
The quick take
Yes, an industry‑wide EPD exists for bitumen roofing membranes in Europe, and industry‑average EPDs exist for modified bitumen roof systems in North America.
- Europe: see the European Waterproofing Association sector EPD for flexible bitumen sheets hosted by The International EPD System. It covers common SBS and APP configurations across member producers and is recognized across the EU. You can view it here: Flexible bitumen sheets for roof waterproofing — Sector EPD.
- United States and Canada: the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association led industry‑average EPDs for SBS and APP modified bitumen systems. These are broadly used as category benchmarks by practitioners and databases today.
Who is behind the sector averages
In Europe, the European Waterproofing Association coordinated the dataset and publication through EPD International. The document is verified to EN 15804 and functions as a sector average that specifiers often treat as a default when a project team cannot find a product‑specific EPD.
In North America, ARMA convened member manufacturers and third‑party verifiers to publish industry‑average EPDs covering multiple installation methods for modified bitumen. The Carbon Leadership Forum’s 2025 baselines reference these industry‑wide numbers and report SBS modified bitumen roof membranes around 5 to 6 kg CO2e per m² at A1–A3, depending on installation. (CLF Material Baselines, 2025) (CLF, 2025)
What that means for your specs
Sector EPDs are useful for compliance and early modeling. They are also conservative by design. Think of them like the class average posted on the wall. If a whole‑building LCA or procurement guideline defaults to an industry‑wide value, any product with better verified results can create immediate carbon headroom that helps a project meet targets without last‑minute material substitutions.
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Why a product‑specific EPD usually wins
Owners and GCs increasingly favor product‑specific, third‑party verified EPDs because they reduce uncertainty and unlock credit pathways in programs like LEED v5. Sector averages rarely capture plant‑level efficiencies, recycled feedstock choices, or optimized logistics. A product‑level EPD lets sales teams defend the spec with facts instead of opinion and can shorten decision cycles. The ROI tends to show up fast when even one mid‑sized project stays with your system instead of a rival.
Positive examples across regions
Not every bitumen membrane supplier is a global giant. Several mid‑sized manufacturers already publish product‑specific EPDs, signaling to buyers that their data is audit‑ready.
- Axter (UK). Hot‑melt structural waterproofing systems with verified EPDs in EPD Hub, current through 2030.
- Danosa (Spain). Bituminous sheet systems with a registered EPD in the International EPD System, current through 2028. See listing: S‑P‑01493 Waterproofing systems with bituminous sheet.
- Index (Italy). Mono and bi‑layer bitumen‑polymer roof systems with EPDs in the French INIES program, current into 2027.
- Imperbel Derbigum (Belgium). Bituminous roofing membrane EPD published through the International EPD System, current into 2026.
- Siplast (United States). Modified bitumen roof membrane EPDs registered with NSF, current into the latter 2020s.
These examples show competitors are already arming sales with product‑level declarations. If a project team only sees sector averages on your datasheets, they will assume conservative impacts during modeling and may drift to a brand with a specific EPD.
Choosing the right PCR and operator
Two things matter for membranes. First, align with the PCR most common in your target market so your EPD is immediately comparable in bid rooms. Second, publish with an operator your customers already know. In North America, teams are comfortable with ASTM or NSF for bituminous membrane systems. In the EU, EPD International and IBU are frequent homes for roof waterproofing sheets. A good LCA partner will map the competitive set and steer you to the fastest path to publication.
When to use the industry‑wide EPD anyway
Use the sector EPD for quick compliance, early design modeling, or to bridge a gap while your own EPD is in flight. Make sure your literature labels it clearly as industry‑wide so teams do not confuse it with your product‑specific results. And keep an eye on refresh cycles so you are not quoting outdated rules in a live tender.
Bottom line
An industry‑wide EPD for bitumen roofing membranes exists in Europe, and industry‑average EPDs are live for modified bitumen systems in North America. Treat them as the floor. A product‑specific EPD turns averages into advantage and is definitley the cleaner way to win more specs with less friction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an industry‑wide or sector average EPD exist for bitumen roofing membranes?
Yes. Europe has a sector EPD for flexible bitumen sheets published with The International EPD System. North America uses ARMA industry‑average EPDs for modified bitumen systems.
Is an industry‑wide EPD enough for LEED v5 and similar programs?
It can meet basic documentation, but product‑specific EPDs are generally valued higher and reduce penalties from conservative default values used in whole‑building LCAs.
Will a product‑specific EPD really change our bid position?
Yes. Buyers modeling to meet carbon targets prefer verified product data. A product‑level EPD can displace a conservative sector average in the model, which often keeps your roof assembly in the spec.
Which program operators commonly host membrane EPDs?
In the EU, EPD International and IBU are frequent for roof waterproofing sheets. In North America, ASTM and NSF often host modified bitumen membrane EPDs.
About the Author
John brings a clear, research-driven perspective on the EPD, LCA and HPD space and keeps a close pulse on environmental trends and standards in North America, helping clients understand where the industry is heading and how to get there.
