May 13, 2013

     

ASTM to Partner with ASC to Foster EPD Development

ASTM International will be collaborating with industry to develop Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) across the 90+ industry markets they support, including sealants.  The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) will be partnering with ASTM International to raise awareness of this effort, educate industry on the value of Type III EPDs, and proactively engage industry in developing Product Category Rules (PCR). 

“There is an increasing trend toward defining how products impact the environment, with groups like the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) inserting EPD requirements within its LEED program, for example,” notes Matthew E. Croson, president, ASC.  “A Type III EPD requires the development of PCR, which can then be leveraged by industry in developing a Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), which can then support a Type III EPD.  We want to make sure industry is represented during meetings discussing any PCR that touches the sealant industry as we work with ASTM and ASC member companies to drive value through the supply chain in a new and different way.”

ASTM International announced that it was becoming a global Program Operator for PCR development and EPD verification in October 2012, and has worked to raise awareness of this effort through its more than 30,000 members. In January, the members of ASTM Committee C24 on Building Seals and Sealants agreed that being active in the PCR process was in the best interest of the experts that are active members within the committee and plans are moving forward with scoping the PCR development for sealants.

“We met with industry leaders at the C24 meeting and gained agreement that this type of project would be a value driver across the supply chain, and look forward to working with ASC to help bring more voices to the table as these PCR are developed,” says Tim Brooke, vice president, certification, training and proficiency testing, ASTM International. “This is a project that will require focus and dedication across all of the industries that get involved, but the long term value of being able to demonstrate a certified Type III EPD is a valuable data point for the ultimate user of any product.”

ASTM International’s role will be to bring diversification to the stakeholders involved on the PCR development team, and guide the process forward as PCR begin to develop the foundation for LCA on sealants.  ASTM will also provide third party verification of the EPDs. ASC’s role is to educate industry on EPDs, promote the program to its members, and ensure that industry is well represented as PCR are developed. Click here for more information on the process and approach.

ASTM Committee C24 will meet in Indianapolis, Ind., on June 9-11, 2013.  A special Committee C24 Research and Learning Session on Product Category Rules for Sealants will take place on Tuesday, June 11, at 3:15 p.m. EST. If interested in participating via conference call, contact Steve Mawn, ASTM International (smawn@astm.org).

“ASC sees the ASTM International partnership as a mutually beneficial effort to bolster the technical focus of the Council on value driven programs that support the entire supply chain,” adds Croson. “Customers are looking for transparent, scientifically-based information and ASTM International has a long-established reputation for addressing important technical topics like PCR and EPDs.  We look forward to working with industry as this effort takes off over the following months.”

ASTM International is one of the largest international standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM International meets the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for the development of international standards: coherence, consensus, development dimension, effectiveness, impartiality, openness, relevance and transparency. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems and commercial transactions.

The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) is a North American trade association dedicated to representing the adhesive and sealant industry. The Council is comprised of 122 adhesive and sealant manufacturers, raw material and equipment suppliers, distributors and industry consultants, representing more than 75% of the U.S. industry with operations around the world. Offering education, legislative advocacy, professional networking and business growth solutions for its members, the ASC is the center of knowledge and catalyst for industry growth on a global basis for manufacturers, suppliers and end-users.

ASTM Staff Contact: Tim Brooke, Phone: 610-832-9729; tbrooke@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #9370