Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs): Why Clients Keep Asking for Them

If you've been asked to provide an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for a product, you're not alone. More and more main contractors and clients are requesting them, especially on larger commercial projects. EPDs can feel like just another bit of paperwork but once you understand what they are and why they're important, they become much easier to deal with.

So, what is an EPD?

EPD stands for Environmental Product Declaration.

The easiest way to think about it is as a fact sheet that tells you about the environmental impact of a building product. It looks at things like how much carbon is produced to make it, how much energy and water it uses and what happens to it at the end of its life.

The important thing is that the information isn't just made up by the manufacturer. It's checked by an independent third party and follows recognised standards, so clients can trust what's in it.

Isn't that just a green marketing claim?

Not quite. Lots of products are described as "green", "eco-friendly" or "sustainable". Those are marketing terms and they don't always tell you very much. An EPD is different because it doesn't try to sell the product. It simply gives the facts. It doesn't say one product is better than another. It gives everyone the same type of information so products can be compared fairly. That's why more clients are asking for EPDs instead of brochures with environmental claims.

Which products have EPDs?

More manufacturers are producing EPDs every year, so they're becoming much easier to find. You'll often see them for products like insulation, plasterboard, ceilings, flooring, steel, concrete, bricks, roofing products, windows, doors, paints, timber and M&E equipment. Not every product has one, especially older product ranges or smaller manufacturers, but many of the big names now provide them as standard.

Why do clients want them?

A lot of projects now have sustainability targets. Some are working towards BREEAM, while others simply want to reduce the environmental impact of the building.

An EPD helps the design team understand the impact of the materials being used.

On BREEAM projects, EPDs can support the materials assessment by providing reliable environmental information. They don't automatically earn credits on their own, but they're often part of the evidence needed.

That's why clients and main contractors often ask for them during the project instead of waiting until the end.

Where can you find an EPD?

Most of the time, the easiest place is the manufacturer's website. Look for sections called Downloads, Technical Documents or Sustainability. If you can't find it, ask your supplier or the manufacturer's technical team. They can normally send you the correct document. Just make sure the EPD matches the exact product you've installed. Different products from the same manufacturer can have different EPDs.

Save yourself a headache

One of the biggest problems we see is subcontractors being asked for EPDs a few days before handover. That usually leads to a rush of emails, phone calls and people trying to track down documents at the last minute.

If you know a project has sustainability requirements, it's worth checking for EPDs when you're ordering materials. Save them with your project paperwork and you'll have everything ready if the client asks.

EPDs are becoming a normal part of construction projects, so it's worth getting familiar with them now. It'll save time, avoid delays and make life much easier when those information requests land in your inbox.

If you're working on projects where EPDs are required, our consultancy can help subcontractors understand what's needed, source the right documentation and keep projects moving.