With the proliferation of green measurement systems and labels, there is a growing need to understand the true impact of a product on the environment. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide quantifiable environmental data to compare products that fulfill the same function. In order to create comparable EPD, they must follow the same rules and guidelines called Product Category Rules (PCR).
Starting in 2012, ASTM International developed its program in conformance with ISO 14025 - Environmental Labels and Declarations - Type III Environmental Declarations - Principles and Procedures.
ASTM International is well-positioned to lead with EPD development, building on its own proven track record as a program operator as well as its strong base of 30,000 technical committee members from more than 150 countries and 90 industry sectors.
ASTM supports the following process: conducting life cycle assessments, creating Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and verifying those EPDs.
ASTM:
EPDs from ASTM show:
Product Category Rules (PCR) are defined in ISO 14025 as a set of specific rules, requirements, and guidelines, for developing environmental declarations for one or more products that can fulfill equivalent functions. PCR determine what information should be gathered and how that information should be evaluated for an environmental declaration.
A life cycle assessment provides a detailed analysis of the environmental impact of a product across its life span from cradle to grave - raw material extraction, manufacture and production, distribution, use and disposal and recycling.
PCRs will be developed through a stakeholder group using a consultative process to achieve consensus. In addition, a panel consisting of at least three independent experts must review and verify the PCR for conformance with the ISO 14040 series of standards and that the LCA-based data provides an accurate description of the significant environmental aspects of the product.
The EPD Development Process includes four steps:
PCRs are developed through the consultation of interested parties. In order to promote harmonization, existing PCR should be used and adapted prior to the development of a new PCR.
An LCA must be conducted to gather the necessary data in order to compile the environmental impact of the product across its life span from cradle to grave.
The manufacturer uses the PCR to compile the life cycle assessment data and other relevant environmental information to create the declaration.
The EPD must be verified by ASTM, a program operator, to ensure that the contents of the declaration conform to the requirements of the PCR, including the life cycle assessment.
> ASTM has a number of EPD verifiers on contract retainer and would work with them to establish a project timeline. ASTM offers the use of an EPD template and would facilitate verification of the resultant EPD
> No, we can review LCA and verify EPD from any acceptable PCR.
> The manufacturer, company or organization that commissions the LCA and develops the EPD maintains sole ownership of both the LCA and EPD.
> ASTM pricing works on a sliding scale for EPD verification and LCA critical reviews. Please contact cert@astm.org for specific quotes
> This is dependent on the availability of our contractors and review cycles, but most have taken at least two weeks for an initial review cycle and then a subsequent cycle for finalization. Typically the process takes three to four weeks total.
For more information about reviewing LCA and verifying EPDs, email ASTM's Certification and Declarations Department at cert@astm.org.
