Module A: Upfront Carbon Decoded
Module A covers everything that happens before a product reaches the jobsite—extraction, processing, factory work, trucking, and on-site installation. Get this slice wrong and the rest of your EPD wobbles. Nail it and you cut the biggest chunk of embodied carbon right where specifiers are staring. Here is how to make Module A numbers rock-solid and sales-ready.
Module A at a Glance
Cradle-to-gate plus the construction process. That means A1 (raw material supply), A2 (internal transport), A3 (manufacturing), A4 (factory gate to site), and A5 (site activities). They collectively account for over 90 % of embodied carbon in a typical European building product, with A1 alone often topping 80 % (ScienceDirect study, 2024).
Why Specifiers Obsess Over Module A
LEED v5 and the new EU Level(s) framework both hand out points for low upfront carbon. Designers scroll straight to the A1–A3 line in your EPD; if that number is high, your bid may never leave the inbox. In fact, the World Green Building Council’s 2025 report shows upfront carbon can make or break a project’s path to net-zero (WBCSD, 2025).
A1–A3: Where the Heavy Lifting Happens
Raw material data quality separates leaders from laggards. Primary steel smelted with renewable electricity can drop A1 emissions by up to 50 % compared with blast-furnace averages (EN 15804+A2, 2024). Yet many manufacturers still default to secondary databases because plant utility meters are “too messy.” The result? Guesswork in the one place you cannot afford it.
A4 and A5: Construction’s Carbon Sneak Attack
Trucking distance, backhaul rates, crane hours, diesel generators for curing—these add up fast. A4 and A5 together can rival A3 for concrete panels shipped across continents. Compress pallets, optimize routes, and insist on electric site equipment where local grids are clean. Those moves are easier to grasp for procurement teams than a full furnace retrofit.
Data Wishlist: Be Ready on Day One
- Bills of material by SKU and annual production volume
- Energy meter readings split by fuel type for the last full year
- Transport modes, distances, and load factors for inbound and outbound legs
- On-site construction method statements covering equipment, fuel, and waste factors Having these four buckets at your fingertips cuts typical LCA timelines by several weeks and keeps consultants from peppering your R&D crew with endless clarifications.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)
PCR Mis-match: Using a general building products PCR when a specialized one exists can inflate impacts by 10 % or more. Biogenic Blind Spots: Forgetting to track wood waste on site skews A5 numbers and may raise red flags with reviewers. Short-Lived Shortcuts: Assuming generic electricity mixes while your plant already sources 60 % hydro leaves money and marketing leverage on the table.
Choosing the Right LCA Partner
Look for a team that provides a structured questionnaire, cloud upload portal, and human follow-up so your line managers are not chasing spreadsheets at midnight. The best partners translate meter data, flag gaps early, and shoulder the statistical checks. Your staff keeps building products; they crunch the enviromental math.
Key Takeaway
Module A is the carbon headline of every EPD. Get granular, get accurate, and make the numbers work for you in the tender room. Upfront carbon clarity today wins specifications tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which data points have the biggest impact on Module A results?
Primary energy use by fuel type, precise material input masses, and verified transport distances usually move the needle the most.
Do I need site-specific data for each supplier in A1?
Not always, but using primary data for the top 80 % of mass or spend gives a solid balance of effort and accuracy (EN 15804+A2, 2024).
How accurate do A1 data need to be for an EPD?
High-level mass and energy flows must align within ±10 % of plant records to meet EN 15804 verifier expectations. Granular purity data is usually optional.
What exactly falls under Module A?
All impacts from raw-material extraction (A1), transport to your plant (A2), and the manufacturing process itself (A3)—everything up to the factory gate.
Which data sources matter most for A1-A3?
Combine primary data (utility bills, production logs, supplier EPDs) with credible secondary datasets for raw-material backgrounds and regional grids.
Fastest levers to cut Module A impacts?
- Switch to recycled or lower-carbon inputs.
- Tighten process scrap rates.
- Source direct renewable electricity, not just certificates.
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.
