What Is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): A Practical Guide for Architects (2026)

An Environmental Product Declaration is a standardized, third-party-verified document reporting a construction product’s environmental performance across its life cycle under EN 15804 and ISO 14025. DGNB, BNB, BREEAM, and LEED reward the use of EPDs in materials selection and whole-building LCA. EPDs are issued by many programmes. Not all report the same indicators, module boundaries, or formats, which makes choosing the right source a structural decision, not a sourcing one.

What is an EPD?

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized, third-party-verified document reporting a construction product’s environmental performance across its life cycle. ISO 14025 is the international umbrella standard for Type III environmental declarations; EN 15804 is the construction-specific standard that narrows ISO 14025 for building products. EN 15804 defines which lifecycle modules to report, which environmental indicators to include, and how to structure the underlying life cycle assessment. EPDs do not certify a product as “green.” EPDs report data; rating schemes including DGNB, LEED, and BREEAM interpret that data against their own criteria. A product with a high GWP value can carry a valid EPD. Independent third-party verification is part of the ISO 14025 framework that EN 15804 builds on. ECO Platform’s “ECO EPD” mark signals cross-programme harmonization beyond the national baseline verification requirement.

Key numbers at a glance

The table below captures the figures architects reference most often when screening products for rating-scheme submissions.

GWP (Global Warming Potential, kg CO₂e) is the climate indicator in every EN 15804 EPD. WDP (Water Deprivation Potential) was added in EN 15804+A2. Pre-A2 EPDs omit WDP, and they report climate impact with a different split than the A2 set of GWP-total, GWP-fossil, GWP-biogenic and GWP-luluc, which complicates direct comparison with A2 declarations for the same product category.

What lifecycle modules must an EPD cover?

Lifecycle modules define which life-cycle phases the reported data covers, and they are the backbone of EPD comparability. EN 15804 uses module A (product and construction), B (use), C (end of life) and D (benefits beyond the system boundary, declared separately from A–C and not added to the A1–C4 total). The minimum scope under EN 15804+A2 is A1–A3, C1–C4 and D; A4–A5 and B1–B7 are optional, so a product-level EPD may stop at A1–A3 plus C and D. Module definitions are in EN 15978 explained. Each rating scheme sets its own requirements on top of that, so check the scheme’s current rules for which modules it expects.

What environmental indicators does EN 15804+A2 require?

EN 15804+A2 expands the mandatory reporting to 13 core environmental impact indicators, plus 6 additional indicators. The core set and the additional indicators are listed in EN 15804+A2 explained. Units for three of them: ODP in kg CFC-11 eq., AP in mol H+ eq. and WDP in m³ world eq.

An architect comparing two products must verify both EPDs use EN 15804+A2, not the older A1 version, before treating any indicator other than GWP as directly comparable across declarations.

How do EPD programmes differ by country?

EPD programmes are nationally fragmented. Each operates its own database and verification process. EPDs from one programme are not always interchangeable with another. France uses FDES (Fiche de Déclaration Environnementale et Sanitaire), the French declaration format, with the INIES database; FDES also carries health (sanitary) information. Germany runs two parallel systems: IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt) as a programme operator and Ökobaudat as the federal reference database used with BNB and QNG. ECO Platform federates multiple national programmes and adds an “ECO EPD” mark for cross-programme harmonization.

What is the difference between a specific and a generic EPD?

EPDs fall into two types. A specific EPD covers a named manufacturer’s product: one brand of concrete block, one grade of structural steel section. A generic EPD covers an industry-average product, meaning the average environmental performance of producers in a category for a given region. Both types follow EN 15804 and a shared PCR (Product Category Rule) that governs the LCA methodology for that material category. Rating schemes set their own preferences between specific and generic EPDs, so confirm the rule in the scheme you are targeting before you specify.

What are common mistakes when using EPDs in specifications?

1. Comparing EPDs with different module boundaries. A product reporting A1–A3 versus one reporting A1–C4 cannot be compared on total GWP. The narrower boundary excludes end-of-life carbon, which lowers the reported figure. Confirm module boundaries before comparing any two declarations.

2. Using an expired EPD. EPD validity is five years from publication date. An EPD published in 2019 expired in 2024. Check the validity date before including a declaration in a submittal; a reviewer may not accept an expired one.

3. Treating national formats as interchangeable. France’s FDES also carries health information beyond the EN 15804 indicators. Confirm that the receiving scheme accepts the format you are submitting.

4. Relying on pre-A2 EPDs for WDP or GWP-biogenic comparisons. EN 15804+A2 changed the GWP split and added WDP. A pre-A2 EPD is not directly comparable to an A2 EPD for the same product category.

Frequently asked questions

What is an Environmental Product Declaration?

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized, third-party-verified document reporting the environmental impact of a construction product across its life cycle under EN 15804 and ISO 14025. EN 15804+A2 EPDs report 13 core indicators including GWP (kg CO₂e), ODP, AP, EP, POCP, ADP and WDP, plus 6 additional indicators. Rating schemes such as DGNB, BNB, LEED and BREEAM reward their use in materials documentation and whole-building LCA.

How long is an EPD valid?

EPD validity is five years from publication date. After five years, the underlying LCA data must be re-verified and a new EPD issued. Always check the EPD’s publication date before including the declaration in a sustainability submittal.

What is the difference between a specific EPD and a generic EPD?

A specific EPD covers a named manufacturer’s product; a generic EPD covers the industry average for a product category. Both follow EN 15804 and the relevant PCR (Product Category Rule). Rating schemes set their own preferences between the two.

Which EPD database should I use for a LEED v4 project?

LEED recognises EPDs that conform to ISO 14025 and EN 15804 or ISO 21930 and are independently verified. NSF International, UL Environment, and EPD International (Environdec) are common sources. Environdec holds more than 20,000 EPDs (May 2026). Confirm the current credit requirements for your LEED version.

What changed between EN 15804+A1 and EN 15804+A2?

EN 15804+A2 (2019) expanded the mandatory indicator set to 13 core indicators (the 2012 version had 7), added WDP, and replaced the single GWP with GWP-total, GWP-fossil, GWP-biogenic and GWP-luluc. When comparing EPDs across versions, verify both use EN 15804+A2 before treating any indicator other than total GWP as directly comparable.