Introduction to LCA & EPD

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) have emerged as a key tool for environmentally conscious stakeholders looking to assess the sustainability of products. As standardized life cycle assessments, EPDs provide comprehensive insights into the environmental impact of a product, from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling. These assessments are subject to specific calculation rules, such as the Product Category Rules (PCR), which ensure consistency and comparability across products. It is worth noting that the PCR for construction products, EN 15804, is widely recognized in the industry. As environmental awareness continues to grow, EPDs will play an increasingly important role in guiding consumer choices and promoting sustainable practices across industries.

This course is designed to introduce you to the concepts of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and provide you with knowledge on how to prepare them effectively. You will learn about the standards and principles that guide LCA and EPD, such as ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 and Product Category Rules (PCR). By the end of the session, you will have the necessary knowledge and insights to understand not only the core of LCA and EPD and their applications, but also the market trends including barriers, drivers and latest developments..

What are the objectives of the Introduction to LCA & EPD course?

After the training you will have the following knowledge and understanding:

• Understand what LCA and EPD are and recognize their framework. Recognize the standards and principles that guide them.
• Learn how to conduct a life cycle assessment and prepare an Environmental Product Declaration. Develop knowledge of how to calculate the environmental impact of a product system and familiarize yourself with the results.
• Deal with life cycle data management, quality issues, reporting and understand the importance of third party verification.

• Understand the demand for LCA and EPDs, barriers and drivers, market reactions and the latest developments.

   

What will you learn during the Introduction to LCA & EPD course?

Introduction to life cycle aSSESSMENT (LCA)

• What is life cycle assessment (LCA)?
• Understand the essence of LCA, its framework and the guiding principles set out in ISO 14040
• Break down the phases of the framework and learn how to practically define and implement them

Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)

• What is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?
• What does an EPD consist of and how do you interpret a Product Category Rule (PCR) to create a meaningful EPD?
• Navigate through the EPD review process and understand the key steps involved

LCA and EPD demand and trends

• We will examine the demand for LCAs and EPDs
• Drivers and barriers to LCA and EPD development
• Market reaction and latest developments shaping the landscape

Who is the course for?

The training is aimed at managers in the manufacturing industry, the service sector and in private companies and public administrations, such as environmental and sustainability managers/coordinators, environmental and economic analysts, consultants or others interested in LCA and EPD. 

The training does not require any prior knowledge.

Note: This training program is offered in cooperation with another Bureau Veritas office.