Demystifying the EPD Process: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Environmental Product Declaration

The time required to create an environmental Product Declaration (EPD) can vary depending on several factors. The complexity of the product, the availability of data, and the team’s experience all play a role in determining the timeline. Generally, creating ab EPD can take several weeks to several months; here’s a breakdown of the key steps involved:

Planing
This initial phase involves defining the scope and goals of the EPD, identifying the product category and relevant standards, and assembling the necessary resources and expertise. The planing stage can take a few days to a week.

Data collection
Gathering data on the product’s lifecycle, including raw materials, manufacturing processes, energy consumption, emission, waste generation, and other relevant factors, is crucial for creating an accurate EPD. The time required for data collection depends on the availability and accessibility of the required information. It can take several weeks to collect and compile the necessary data.

Life cycle assessment (LCA)
The LCA involves analyzing the collected data to assess the product’s environmental impacts. This step includes calculating indicators such as carbon footprint, energy consumption, water usage, and other relevant metrics. The complexity of the LCA analysis and the availability of software tools can affect the duration of this phase, ranging from a few days to a few weeks.

Report development
The EPD report must be prepared once the LCA analysis is complete. This includes organizing and presenting the data in a standardized format, following the guidelines of the selected EPD program or scheme. The time required for report development can vary depending on the complexity of the product and the level of detail needed. It can take several weeks to finalize the report.

Review and verification
Third-party review and confirmation of the EPD are necessary to ensure its accuracy and compliance with the relevant standards. The duration of this process depends on the availability of verification resources and the backlog of the verification body. It can take several weeks to a couple of months for the review and verification process to be completed.

It’s important to note that the timeline provided here is a general estimate and can vary depending on the specific circumstances.

 

Kristian Eriksson,
Environmental consultant