declaring environmental impacts of products: the roadmap to epds · 2015. 6. 17. · considerations...
TRANSCRIPT
Declaring environmental impacts of products: The roadmap to EPDs
June 15, 2015 Presented by: Tara Leitan
Project Manager Environment & Climate Change CSA Group
CSA Group
+++Health+&+Safety++Energy+
Sustainability++Fuel+Burning+
Consumer)Product)
EvaluaSon+)Standards+
Product)))CerSficaSon))))&)TesSng+
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Topics
• What are environmental product declarations (EPDs)?
• What products have EPDs?
• Why develop an EPD?
• The roadmap – from PCRs to EPDs
• Questions
• Resources
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What are Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)?
• Document that summarizes a product’s impact in multiple environmental categories
• Also includes: – Product description – Declaration of product content – Description of the life cycle – Other environmental information (e.g.
certifications)
• Based on life cycle information and data
• 3rd party verified
• Primarily used for business to business communication
• Follows ISO 14025 and relevant product category rule (PCR)
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What Products have EPDs?
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Who is Requesting EPDs and Why?
• Building professionals and manufacturers
• To earn credits for voluntary programs (e.g. LEED version 4)
• To be able to compare the environmental impacts of products available for use in buildings • Presented in a standardized manner and
independently verified
• To access quality data for whole building LCAs or to complete an EPD for a composite product
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Why Develop an EPD?
• To differentiate yourself from competitors
• To meet bid requirements
• To identify & reduce environmental & monetary impacts and risks = $
Source:+Armstrong+EPD+for+Cirrus®+Ceiling+Panels,+2012+
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The Roadmap – from PCRs to EPDs
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Step 1 – Identify an Existing PCR… or Develop a New One
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What is a Product Category Rule (PCR)? • Document that outlines specific rules,
requirements and guidelines for developing environmental product declarations (EPDs – the “label”) for a particular product category
• Key components: – Definition of the product group – Declared unit – System boundaries (i.e. stages of the life
cycle that are included) – Materials and substances to be declared in
the EPD – Environmental parameter to be declared in
the EPD – Validity period for the PCR and EPD
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How Do I Find a PCR for a Product?
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• GEDNet (gednet.org)
• Program Operator’s websites
• Web search
• Ask a Program Operator!
What if a PCR Does Not Exist for a Product?
• Work with a Program Operator to develop a new one or adapt an existing one
• Example PCR development processes:
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Step+ Adapt)exisSng)PCR+ Develop)new)PCR+
1+ Find+exis3ng+PCR+ Find+exis3ng+LCA+study+or+conduct+LCA+
2+ Convene+PCR+Development+Group+ Convene+PCR+Development+Group+
3+ Development+group+iden3fies+and+addresses+gaps+in+PCR+
Development+group+draÅs+PCR+based+on+LCA+
4+ Peer+review+panel+reviews+PCR+ Peer+review+panel+reviews+PCR+
5+ PCR+published+ PCR+published+
Considerations for PCR Development and Adaptation • Parties involved:
– Often a group of manufacturers or an association
• Timeline: – Varies depending on:
• Complexity of product • New development vs. adaptation
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Step 2 – Conduct an LCA
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What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
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ISO+14040:+Environmental*management*–*Life*cycle*assessment*–**Principles!and!framework*+ISO+14044:+Environmental*management*–*Life*cycle*assessment*–*Requirements!and!guidelines))
Considerations for Conducting an LCA
• LCA conducted by: – A consultant – Manufacturer
• Expertise • LCA Software
• The process – The product’s environmental footprint is measured over
the prescribed life cycle stages – Follows parameters outlined in PCR (environmental
impacts and life cycle stages)
• Timeline – Variable
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Step 3 – Develop the EPD
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Considerations for Developing an EPD
• The EPD is developed by: – Consultant – Manufacturer
• The process: – The data produced in the LCA
summarized as the product’s environmental footprint
– Other information required by the PCR included (additional environmental information, product content, etc)
– Template for EPD often provided by Program Operator
• Timeline: – Variable
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Step 4 – Verify the LCA and EPD
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EPD Verification
• EPDs and their supporting data must be independently verified
• Program Operators must ensure that verifiers meet competencies outlined in ISO 14025
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Step 5 – Register & Publish the EPD with a Program Operator
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Considerations for Registering an EPD
• The process: – The verified EPD and the LCA are
submitted to the Program Operator for review and registration
– The Program Operator often provides an EPD label to be attached to the EPD document
• Timeline: – Variable
– Usually quite quick (e.g. days to weeks)
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Program Operators
• Different types of organizations can become Program Operators
• Two key functions: 1. Develop PCRs 2. Register and publish
EPDs
• Ensure program is transparent and follows ISO 14025 and program operator rules
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How to Find a Program Operator?
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www.pcrguidance.org
Summary
PCRs • Act as the bridge between an organization’s metrics and their
EPDs • Standardize LCA approaches for an industry
EPDs • Provide information on environmental impacts of a product • Are increasingly used in North America
Program Operators • Develop PCRs and register EPDs, in
accordance with ISO 14025
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