ILCD Format for LCA, Explained
If environmental data feels scattered across PDFs and spreadsheets, the ILCD format is the shipping container that keeps it all orderly. Teams hear “ILCD+EPD,” “openEPD,” and “EN 15804” and wonder what actually moves an EPD project forward. Here is the practical map. We cover where ILCD fits, how it relates to machine‑readable EPDs, and what manufacturers should ask their LCA partner to deliver so the next specification cycle is faster, cleaner, and easier to reuse.
ILCD in plain English
Think of ILCD as a structured way to store life‑cycle data so software can read it, not as a new method for calculating impacts. It is an XML schema that organizes flows, units, processes, and documentation so your LCA model is portable between tools and databases.
ILCD does not replace ISO 14040 or EN 15804. It carries the results and the modeling choices they require, with enough metadata for others to understand and reuse them.
ILCD+EPD, openEPD, and PDFs, side by side
ILCD+EPD adds EPD‑specific fields to ILCD, such as modules, scenarios, declared unit, and verification details. It was designed so program operators and tools can exchange EPDs digitally across Europe.
openEPD is a newer JSON schema focused on easy API exchange. Many organizations are testing bridges between ILCD+EPD and openEPD so data can move cleanly between regions. PDFs remain the legal record in many programs, yet machine‑readable files do the real heavy lifting in design tools and procurement.
Where ILCD shows up in construction EPDs
Several European program operators ingest and publish digital EPDs in ILCD+EPD. Their portals and the InData network rely on it so BIM and LCA tools can pull results without manual copy‑paste. Global exchanges like GLAD list ILCD among accepted dataset formats, which helps when you want one model to travel across markets.
If your portfolio sells in Europe, ILCD+EPD support is becoming table stakes. If you sell mainly in North America, openEPD may be the first request, but ILCD remains useful for modeling and for collaboration with European partners.
What goes into a clean ILCD dataset
Start with unambiguous identifiers for every process and flow, then lock in units early. Record declared unit, system boundary, and the reference year for data. Map modules A1 to C4 and Module D clearly, and document scenario parameters rather than burying them in a narrative.
Add links to the governing PCR and program operator rules, list versions of characterization factors, and stamp the file with the verifier’s details. That metadata is what turns a static file into a reusable asset across product families.
Digital EPDs are not hypothetical anymore
The International EPD System crossed 10,000 valid EPDs in 2024, with construction products taking the lion’s share (EPD International, 2024) (EPD International, 2024). In May 2025, they also reported 62 fully digital EPDs live in their library, a signal that machine‑readable delivery is moving from pilots to production (EPD International, 2025) (EPD International, 2025).
For manufacturers, digital files shave weeks off submittals and reduce rework when product variants share most inputs. The PDF still matters, yet the XML or JSON is what your customers’ tools actually consume.
EN 15804 and EF 3.1, why the version matters
EN 15804 A2 broadened what must be reported compared to the older A1 era, which is why your data model needs room for more indicators and inventory metrics. Characterization factors used by European programs were updated to EF 3.1, with EF 3.0 no longer allowed for new IES EPDs from September 1, 2024 (EPD International, 2024) (EPD International, 2024).
Ask your LCA partner to state the CF version inside the file and in the project plan. A quiet mismatch here can ripple into conflicting numbers on the same project tender.
Frequent pitfalls when exporting ILCD files
Small unit mistakes multiply. Keep density, moisture, and energy lower heating values aligned to the PCR. Scenario transparency matters, so declare transport distances and end‑of‑life rates in parameters that others can read, not in free text.
Mind data lineage. If you substitute generic upstream data, record source and version so future updates are painless. Finally, validate against the program operator’s checks before verification. It sounds basic, but it is definately the fastest way to avoid late rebuilds.
A practical path that pays back
Pick one canonical format per region, then maintain a tested translation to the other. For Europe, keep ILCD+EPD authoritative, and export openEPD for customers that request it. For North America, do the inverse. Either way, invest in a tidy bill of materials, clean utility data, and a verification‑ready metadata set. That is the part that wins specifications more often than shiny tooling names.
Strong partners make the difference on speed and completeness. The best workflows remove internal bottlenecks, collect data once, and publish through the operator your market prefers, with machine‑readable files ready for immediate reuse.
Threading it all together
ILCD is not a buzzword, it is the box your LCA travels in. If it is structured, versioned, and validated, you can publish faster, update with less friction, and plug into digital procurement without copy‑paste marathons. Choose formats that match your markets, keep the math current, and treat the dataset like a product you will reuse across launches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an ILCD file replace the PDF EPD for submissions?
Not everywhere. Many program operators still treat the PDF as the legal record, but a digital file such as ILCD+EPD or openEPD accelerates design tool integration and submittals. Some operators now host fully digital EPDs as primary records (EPD International, 2025).
Do I need both ILCD+EPD and openEPD?
If you sell in both Europe and North America, yes, having both is practical. Maintain one authoritative model and use validated mappings so the numbers stay synchronized.
Which characterization factor set should I use in Europe right now?
Use EF 3.1 for new EPDs under IES. EF 3.0 has not been allowed for newly published IES EPDs since 2024‑09‑01 (EPD International, 2024).
Will EN 15804 A2 force me to redo older EPDs immediately?
No. Existing declarations remain valid until expiry according to their rules, but new or renewed EPDs must meet the current requirements and factor sets of the program operator.
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.
