Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) make statements about the environmental impact of a product, such as energy and water consumption or the resulting global warming potential. These documents essentially serve as proof for building certification. This means that if buildings are certified according to sustainability systems such as DGNB, LEED or BREEAM, EPDs are required, among other things.
In order to support manufacturers of construction products in the creation of product-specific EPDs, ift Rosenheim, as the program holder, has created its own Product Category Rules (PCR) for various construction products. These serve as the basis for an EPD. The basis for this is DIN ISO 14025 as well as EN 15804 and the General Guideline for the Preparation of Type III Environmental Product Declarations prepared by ift Rosenheim.
In addition to the PCRs, a life cycle assessment (LCA) according to DIN ISO 14040 and EN ISO 14044 is required in order to draw up EPDs.
All advantages at a glance
Why a specific EPD?
The preparation of a product-specific, individual EPD is necessary if, for example, there is no average and/or model EPD for the product in question, or if building certification systems or the market require one.
In contrast to a model EPD, a specific EPD involves the determination and analysis of more extensive data. The specific EPD thus enables a detailed and representative description of the product, with which special features are also described for the entire life cycle. For this reason, a specific EPD is particularly appropriate as a differentiating feature and for increasing opportunities in invitations to tenders.
Mandatory findings are required as part of an EPD according to EN 15804+A2 for manufacturing, disposal as well as for benefits and loads outside the system boundaries. The remaining life cycle phases can be considered optionally. Since all certification systems require information from different product life cycle phases, it makes sense to identify all the needs when preparing an EPD.
The verified Environmental Product Declaration applies exclusively for the products named in the declaration.
Steps to an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Kick-off meeting
- Clarification of basic questions about EPDs
- First overview of portfolio
- Determination of versions and locations to be covered
- Offer/Commissioning
Development of PCR, if necessary
- If not yet available: PCR preparation for respective product type
- Test, validation and release by SVA
Preliminary examination, if necessary
- Kick-Off (can be combined with on-site visit)
- Determination of representative and/or "worst case" versions for product groups
Data collection in the company
- Recording of all environmentally relevant inputs and outputs along the product flow
- Declarations of life cycle phases
- Provision of structured templates
Life cycle assessment
- Analysis and quantification of the data with the help of life cycle assessment software
- Preparation of the background report
Environmental Product Declaration
- Preparation based on relevant product standards as well as EN 14025 and EN 15804
![[Translate to English:] Das werbewirksame EPD-Zeichen des ift Rosenheim](/fileadmin/IFT/Zertifizierung/Nachhaltigkeit/Bilder/EPD_Label.jpg)
External verification, if necessary
- Test, validation and release of the EPD by an independent test engineer
- If applicable, posting in online databases
Product Category Rules - PCRs
A PCR provides general rules for the preparation of the EPD and is structured like a regulation or guideline. The basis for the development of PCR documents are the standards DIN EN ISO 14025 and DIN EN 15804.
The Product Category Rules (PCRs) of ift Rosenheim are divided into two parts and marked accordingly. Part A contains general rules and the separate Part B contains product group-specific rules. The PCRs are to be used in the preparation of EPDs according to the program operation for the preparation of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) of ift Rosenheim.
As soon as ift Rosenheim has prepared a new PCR together with various experts, it will be made available to the public for comment for a period of 4 weeks before the documents are submitted to the SVA of ift Rosenheim for approval. To comment on the PCR documents, please use our Word template. Please send the completed comment protocol to nachhaltigkeit@ift-rosenheim.de.
The following PCR documents are currently approved for comment by interested parties:
No PCR documents are currently approved for comment.
The following members of the Expert Committee carry out the validation of the PCR documents and thus vouch for their accuracy
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Mr. Dr. Torsten Mielecke, Life Cycle Engineering Experts GmbH (Chairman)
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Mr. Frank Koos, Verband Fenster + Fassade e.V. (Association for windows and facades)
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Mr. Prof. Jörn P. Lass, ift Rosenheim GmbH
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Mrs. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sandra Krommes, Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences
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Mr. Florian Stich, Lead Product Decarbonisation and Material Health (Sustainability), GROPYUS Technologies GmbH
Created EPDs
A list of the EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) prepared by ift Rosenheim can be found here:
Sustainability Team of ift Rosenheim
If you have any questions about our sustainability-related services, our team of experts will be happy to help
From left to right: Sandra Heinrichsberger, Christoph Seehauser (Head), Katharina Pscherer, Benedikt Dellawalle, Philipp Dumproff, Miranda Thiele, Luisa Ludwig, Florian Brechleiter.