What Is an EPD?
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardized document that quantifies the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle. It’s based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and verified by a third party. An EPD typically includes data such as:
- Global warming potential
- Energy use
- Water consumption
- Waste generation
- Other impact categories (e.g., acidification, eutrophication)
EPDs are increasingly required by sustainability certification and rating systems (such as LEED, BREEAM, DGNB, BIFMA LEVEL), public procurement policies, and sustainability-minded clients. EPDs support transparency, comparability, and informed decision-making about building materials and systems.
Who Needs to Comply—and Why?
Stakeholders that may need to comply with EPD standards:
- Manufacturers in construction and other industrial sectors (e.g., building materials, steel, concrete, insulation, glass, furniture, packaging, and related products)
- Designers, architects, and engineers looking to reduce environmental impacts of buildings
- Construction companies and contractors working on certified green buildings
- Government procurement officers evaluating materials based on sustainability criteria
- EPD program operators and LCA practitioners responsible for developing and verifying EPDs
Why compliance is necessary:
- Market access: Many governments and private clients require EPDs in tenders or certifications.
- Green building certification: Credits in systems like LEED v4/v4.1, BREEAM, DGNB, and BIFMA LEVEL may require third-party verified EPDs.
- Regulatory compliance: The EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) increasingly points to EPDs as part of sustainability declarations.
- Reputation and transparency: EPDs demonstrate environmental responsibility, supporting ESG and corporate sustainability goals.
ISO 21930 and EN 15804
ISO 21930 and EN 15804 are closely aligned standards for developing consistent, credible Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for construction products and services. In fact, they share the same core modules and have evolved in parallel—often borrowing from one another to maintain compatibility. The differences are subtle but can still affect compliance. For example, EN 15804 makes Module D (benefits and loads beyond the system boundary) mandatory, whereas ISO 21930 treats it as optional. Understanding these small variations is important for organizations working across multiple markets.
ISO 21930: The International Standard
ISO 21930 is an international standard for developing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works. The focus of this standard is for construction products and services.
EN 15804: The European Standard
EN 15804 is also a standard that focuses on EPDs for construction products and services. However, it is a European Standard rather than an international standard. The most recent (and second) revision, EN 15804+A2, includes several changes:
- Does not align with ISO 21930 and can become problematic for exporters
- Includes 19 environmental impact categories
- Requires an end-of-life scenario
- Requires a compliant PCR
- Data must be in ILCD format
ISO 21930 vs EN 15804
ISO 21930 and EN 15804 Indicators
Implications for Manufacturers and LCA Practitioners
If you’re a manufacturer selling into both European and global markets, it’s important to consider the following:
Dual EPD Strategy: Many companies now prepare two sets of EPDs: one to comply with EN 15804+A2 for Europe, and another based on ISO 21930 for international markets.
Software Compatibility: EN 15804-compliant EPDs require modeling in LCA software that supports ILCD format, such as GaBi or SimaPro, which may not be used globally.
Verification Complexity: European EPDs often require stricter third-party verification and must be published in recognized databases. This is managed by an EPD Program Operator—the body that verifies, ensures compliance, and publishes the EPD. Choosing an operator suited to your region, market, and product category is critical for compliance and market acceptance.
Navigating the EPD Landscape
As the demand for transparent, science-based environmental reporting grows in construction, understanding the difference between ISO 21930 and EN 15804 is essential for anyone involved in material manufacturing, building design, or sustainability compliance. For global businesses, this means navigating complex rules across multiple markets.
Preparing multiple EPDs under varying regulations is both time-consuming and expensive, often requiring substantial consultant involvement with the number of indicators required to report on. This complexity makes AI-driven solutions especially valuable—cutting preparation time, lowering costs, and simplifying compliance. Companies that adopt these tools not only save resources but also strengthen their position as leaders in sustainability, regulatory alignment, and innovation in green construction.
Next Steps: Meeting EPD Compliance with CarbonBright
CarbonBright’s AI-powered LCA software helps organizations accurately measure emissions at the product level and comply with ISO and EN standards—at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods. Contact us to get started!
