What you need to know about new changes to the EU’s product EPD regulations

Make sense of Construction Product Regulation (CPR), Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), and Declaration of Performance (DoP) with ECO Platform MD Christian Donath and One Click LCA CEO Panu Pasanen. Learn about the latest changes to the EU’s product EPD regulations, tackling CPR, Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), and Declaration of Performance (DoP) — related to environmental product declarations (EPDs) and more.

What are the latest changes in EU building regulations?

The EPBD is undergoing a substantial revision, mandating life-cycle assessments (LCAs) for large buildings (1000+ square meters) by 2028 and extending this requirement to all buildings by 2030. This revision expands beyond mere energy considerations, incorporating decarbonization in the entire life-cycle. Additionally, regulations like the EU Taxonomy and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are influencing the landscape, introducing elements like circularity and biodiversity reporting for large businesses. The evolving regulatory framework not only covers energy and life-cycle carbon but broadens its scope to encompass diverse sustainability objectives. These regulations will have a transformative impact, foreseeing shifts in certification dynamics and the emergence of private requirements alongside regulatory changes.

What is the role of product data in sustainable design, and how is it used?

Product data serves multiple purposes in sustainable design, meeting various requirements and benchmarks. It aids in understanding material differences, allowing for structured and usable information for environmental performance. The Construction Product Regulation (CPR) is highlighted for its role in identifying machine-readable data. In practical terms, architects and engineers can shape designs by considering the impact of products, comparing solutions, and making well-informed decisions based on available data, even if it's not perfect.

What are the changes in EU Construction Product Regulation?

Environmental data is now a mandatory requirement for manufacturers under the Construction Product Regulation (CPR). Aligned with EPD standards, this regulation imposes compulsory indicators, marking a significant stride toward harmonization. Member states are obligated to adhere to these standards, eliminating disparate regulations. The CPR not only streamlines data verification but also tackles anti-competitive practices hindering market access for foreign companies. Its enforcement is poised to nullify varying national rules, fostering a truly competitive market for sustainable construction products. This change is anticipated to bring about sustainability gains and reduce bureaucratic obstacles.

Who do the changes affect and when must they be adopted?

The primary entities affected are manufacturers, encompassing both construction products and ancillary items like fireplaces. The changes are set in motion through harmonized standards, triggering the standardization groups' initial response. These groups must align their standards with the new requirements without deviation, though they can incorporate additional elements within defined parameters. The subsequent phase involves the industry's adaptation, with a pronounced influence on manufacturers and associated stakeholders. The transition is intricate and will unfold gradually. Forecasts point towards enforcement commencing around 2026, contingent on factors such as standards development and regulatory decision-making. The regulation will roll out progressively, impacting various product categories as standards are established and enforced.

Considering upcoming changes, how will sustainability data be affected, and what's the outlook?

Sustainability data becomes a crucial necessity, not only for market participation but also due to emerging liability issues. The next five to ten years might bring chaos and an increase in court cases, emphasizing the importance of accurate and verified data. Compliance with regulations like the Construction Product Regulation (CPR) becomes paramount, introducing a shift in governance for sustainability data. The anticipated regulatory landscape involves the requirement for a notified body to sign off on the verification of sustainability data, influencing market operations and emphasizing the need for correct and reliable practices in handling environmental information.

How can these changes be tackled in practice?

Addressing the day-to-day challenges presented by regulatory changes requires a multifaceted strategy, particularly with the heightened emphasis on worst-case scenarios in the Declaration of Performance (DoP). Central to this approach is the pivotal role of automation, encompassing smart data management within manufacturing companies. The shift from static to dynamic data provision necessitates automation not only in data communication but also in the generation of EPD and DOP data. Significantly, the collaboration with One Click LCA on tool verification guidelines, facilitated through ECO Platform, emphasizes the critical need for trust in various tools. Considering the substantial impact on 400,000 affected manufacturers and their products, efficient and automated solutions are imperative. Additionally, recognizing skill gaps, the call for education becomes crucial, with initiatives like the free training offered by One Click LCA serving as a proactive way to enhance industry knowledge and readiness for transformative changes.

Generate EPDs with ease with One Click LCA

The EPD Generator offers a versatile solution for creating environmental product declarations (EPDs) compliant with ISO and EN standards across various industries. Users can perform unlimited life-cycle assessments (LCAs) and generate EPDs for any product category. The tool ensures adherence to international standards such as EN 15804+A1, EN 15804+A2, ISO 14067, INIES, and TRACI 2.1, while modeling LCAs and EPDs in alignment with ISO 21930, ISO 14040, ISO 14044, and ISO 14025. Additionally, it provides the flexibility to create customer-specific private EPDs and TM65-compliant calculations. This software, applicable to any manufacturing sector, is particularly beneficial for consulting firms due to its unrestricted usability.

ECO Platform is a key player in promoting sustainability in construction by harmonizing data and ensuring environmental information credibility. Collaborating with EPD program operators and industry experts, it has become a central hub for consistent data, marked by the recognizable ECO EPD logo. In the face of evolving EU regulations, ECO Platform plays a crucial role in coordinating diverse data types essential for building life-cycle assessment (LCA). 

One Click LCA addresses sustainability challenges practically. Handling data-related issues, complexity, workload, and standards fragmentation, One Click LCA streamlines the design process from pre-project phases to specific product choices. By automating EPD creation and verification, it makes high-quality work accessible to professionals at all levels. Together, ECO Platform and One Click LCA contribute to sustainable construction practices.