EPD Certification

DEMONSTRATING ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE THROUGH VERIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS 

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are internationally recognized documents that communicate the environmental impacts of a product throughout its life cycle using verified and scientifically based data.

To ensure credibility and compliance, Environmental Product Declarations can be independently verified and validated by an accredited certification body. Bureau Veritas provides EPD verification and validation services, helping organizations demonstrate the accuracy, reliability, and transparency of their environmental information.

EPDs can be applied across a wide range of industries and products. They support sustainability strategies, strengthen stakeholder confidence, and enable organizations to communicate verified environmental performance to customers, regulators, investors, and procurement authorities.

EPD Certification: Independent Verification and Validation of Environmental Product Declarations

  • EPD Product Verification

    The EPD Product scheme allows organizations to verify and validate Environmental Product Declarations developed in accordance with relevant Product Category Rules (PCRs) and programme requirements.

    Each declaration is supported by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which evaluates environmental impacts across the entire life cycle of a product, from raw material sourcing and production to distribution, use, and end-of-life management.

    Independent third-party verification enhances confidence in the accuracy of environmental data and strengthens the credibility of sustainability communication.

  • EPD Process Certification

    Organizations managing multiple Environmental Product Declarations may benefit from EPD Process Certification within the International EPD System.

    This certification enables companies to establish a structured process for managing environmental data, facilitating the efficient development, maintenance, and publication of EPDs.

    By reducing the need for individual third-party verification of every declaration, EPD Process Certification streamlines large-scale EPD management while ensuring continued compliance with programme requirements.

  • Pre-Verified Tools for EPD Development

    To support and simplify Life Cycle Assessment activities and EPD development, organizations can adopt Pre-Verified Tools recognized by the International EPD System.

    These validated software solutions are designed to generate compliant LCAs and EPDs in accordance with applicable Product Category Rules and programme requirements.

    Pre-Verified Tools can help organizations to:

    • Automate environmental impact assessments;
    • Simplify environmental data collection and management;
    • Develop EPDs for product families and groups of similar products;
    • Reduce verification costs and project timelines;
    • Improve the efficiency of validation and verification activities.

    Bureau Veritas also provides independent verification and validation services for Pre-Verified Tools.

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WHAT ARE THE KEY BENEFITS OF EPD CERTIFICATION?

Organizations that develop and verify Environmental Product Declarations can achieve several advantages, including:

• Stronger market positioning through transparent environmental communication;
• Increased trust among customers, partners, and stakeholders;
• Alignment with Green Public Procurement and sustainable procurement criteria;
• Support for ESG objectives and sustainability commitments;
• Improved transparency throughout the supply chain;
• Better monitoring and enhancement of environmental performance;
• Greater competitiveness in sustainability-driven markets.

At an industry level, EPDs also support fair and transparent comparisons between equivalent products and services based on independently verified environmental data.

Bureau Veritas Approach to EPD Verification and Validation

Once successfully verified by Bureau Veritas, an Environmental Product Declaration may be published within the International EPD System.

The verification and validation process typically includes:
Document Review
A comprehensive assessment of the Life Cycle Assessment study, Environmental Product Declaration, and all supporting documentation.
On-Site Assessment
Verification of processes, environmental data management practices, and supporting evidence related to the declaration.
Validation and Certification
Issuance of a verification statement confirming conformity with applicable standards and programme requirements.

The evaluation process confirms that:
• The LCA complies with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 requirements;
• Relevant Product Category Rules (PCRs) have been correctly applied;
• Environmental data is complete, accurate, and traceable;
• Required impact categories and programme criteria have been addressed;
• EPD content complies with applicable reference documents.

Procedures for maintaining and updating EPD information are documented and effective.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about EPD Certification

  • What is a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

    A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 used to assess the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle.

    The process begins with the development of a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI), which involves collecting data from all stages of the life cycle, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to transportation, use and end-of-life disposal.

    This is followed by a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), in which environmental indicators are analysed, including:

    • Greenhouse gas emissions
    • Resource consumption
    • Energy consumption
    • Chemical consumption
    • Waste generation

    These impacts are then assigned to different impact categories, such as climate change, acidification and other environmental indicators.

    In certain cases, an independent critical review of the LCA study may also be required.