Environmental Product Declaration Verification

1. Submit your LCA and EPD to SCS for verification

2. We check your LCA and EPD against the applicable standards and Product Category Rules, then provide feedback on non-conformities and opportunities for improvement

3. You address the non-conformities and documented improvement in your LCA and EPD, then re-submit to SCS

4. We confirm that non-conformities have been properly addressed

5. We prepare a Verification Report confirming that your LCA and EPD meet the requirements of the applicable standards and PCRs

6. We assign an EPD number and validity period to the EPD and publish the EPD to the SCS Green Products Guide.  

1. What is an EPD? 
   An EPD is an objective report based on life cycle assessment (LCA). It is used to communicate information about the potential environmental and human health impacts of a product. It states what a product is made of and how it impacts the environment across its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction through disposal.  EPDs are developed in accordance with the requirements of ISO 14025 (and ISO 21930 for construction products).

2. What is the connection between Product Category Rules (PCR), LCAs, and EPDs?   
   EPDs are generated based on the findings of an LCA conducted in conformance with international standards. In addition, Product Category Rules (PCRs) provide more precise instructions about conducting LCAs for a particular product category. Each PCR describes the impact categories that must be quantified and reported, ensuring that all EPDs in the same product category report the same types of information.  Examples of industries for which product-specific PCRs have been developed include:

   • Steel Construction
   • Concrete and Cement
   • Wood Construction Products
   • Roofing
   • Insulation
   • Office Furniture
   • Paints
   • Building Sealants
   • Flooring

   Many more PCRs are in the process of being developed for additional categories. Contact us today to see if a PCR is available for your product. 

3. When should I have my EPD verified? 
   Once the LCA is completed, an EPD is prepared that summarizes the LCA. The LCA and EPD are then reviewed, and the EPD is verified by a third-party to ensure that it conforms with the relevant ISO standard and PCR requirements.  
4. How are EPDs used?    
   EPDs qualify products for credit towards buildings under LEED v4.1, LEED v5, and other procurement systems. Having an EPD can help a manufacturer become a preferred supplier for designers and architects who specify for green building projects. Manufacturers also use the data from EPDs to identify areas of improvement within their manufacturing processes, helping them become more efficient and set realistic sustainability goals.
5. What LEED v4.1 credits do EPDs qualify for?  What about LEED v5?  
   EPDs qualify for up to two points following the LEED v4.1 Materials and Resources credit: 
   MR: Building product disclosure and optimization - environmental product declarations. In LEED v5, EPDs contribute to the Material and Resources Credit Pre-Requisite to Quantify and Assess Embodied Carbon. Visit USGBC’s website for the full details.
6. How do I get started? 
   The first step is to determine if there is a suitable PCR for your product category. Next, you’ll want to find a qualified LCA practitioner. Contact us for details.