EPDs launch in Australasia

By and - , Build 144

Communicating product environmental credentials in the construction sector becomes clearer with the recent launch of an internationally harmonised environmental product declaration programme.

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THE AUSTRALASIAN Environmental Product Declaration (EPD®) Programme is a new platform for clear communication of product environmental performance. The programme was recently launched to the New Zealand construction sector at the Building a Better New Zealand 2014 conference. EPDs are applicable in all sectors but are particularly relevant to the construction sector.

Globally, manufacturers and their customers are increasingly recognising the value of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) as a robust science-based communication tool that manufacturers can use to declare the environmental performance of their products. This is especially true for the construction sector, which uses numerous products and materials in buildings, frequently in combination with other products, making assessment inherently challenging. This complexity makes it difficult for manufacturers to demonstrate the environmental credentials of their products, based on objective, transparent performance-based criteria.

What are EPDs?

EPDs are short declarations of product environmental performance, based on quantitative and non-quantitative information. Quantitative information derives from a tool called life cycle assessment, which models processes to derive environmental impacts. This is undertaken according to consistent calculation rules and additional requirements set out in Product Category Rules.

EPDs are independently verified, providing a robust basis for measuring and communicating environmental performance. They report on the environmental impacts of products for all or part of the life cycle, based on measured data such as amount and types of energy used, water use, amount and type of feedstock material and transport.

Recognised in green building tools

Verified EPDs are already available in overseas markets, notably Europe, USA and Asia. Internationally, construction sector manufacturers lead in EPD development as use of products with EPDs in construction projects gains credits in green building rating systems around the world including LEED in the USA and BREEAM in the UK (both of which are used internationally) and, most recently, Green Star in Australia.

Local need

EPD programmes are also well established overseas, but until now, no cross-Tasman EPD scheme has existed. The Australasian EPD® Programme meets this market need, providing a service to industry for the development, verification and communication of EPDs for construction and other products.

The Building Research Levy, Sustainable Steel Council and Life Cycle Association of New Zealand (LCANZ) supported the programme’s establishment financially. EPDs registered with the programme will be mutually acceptable in Australia and New Zealand, while also providing a system harmonised with wider international markets for global exporters.

The Australasian EPD® Programme

The Australasian EPD® Programme is a not-for-profit joint venture of LCANZ in New Zealand and ALCAS in Australia. It is the operator for Type III environmental declarations, as defined in the international standard ISO 14025. In partnership with the International EPD® System, the Australasian EPD® Programme maintains a system to verify and register EPDs and keeps a public library of EPDs and Product Category Rules.

EPDs published by the Australasian EPD® Programme are freely available for use in business-to-business transactions and also by consumers and other interested groups. They are designed to meet global market demands for product environmental performance information that is science based, transparent and independently verified in an internationally recognised format, providing a basis for the fair comparison of products.

The programme is supported by a local Technical Advisory Group and the Technical Committee of the International EPD® System, which oversee EPD verification and Product Category Rules development. Rules are developed using an open, consultative process with industry and other interested stakeholders.

Global alignment

The Australasian EPD® Programme is fully aligned with the International EPD® System, one of the world’s longest established and largest EPD programme operators. This alignment provides greater global recognition and compatibility, as well as being a cost-effective way for Australasian EPD producers to leverage from existing information and experience.

For more

Australasian EPDs and Product Category Rules are freely available from www.epd-australasia.com, phone 0800 366 733 or email [email protected].

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Articles are correct at the time of publication but may have since become outdated.

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