From EPDs to digital product passports (DPPs): JELD-WEN’s path to sustainable product development

From EPDs to digital product passports: JELD-WEN’s path to sustainable product development

Key learnings from Katren Sellik, Sustainability & Compliance Manager at JELD-WEN

Environmental product declarations (EPDs) are redefining practices within the construction industry by promoting transparency, reducing carbon footprints, and meeting increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. JELD-WEN, a leading global manufacturer of high-quality windows, doors, and building products, exemplifies the critical role of EPDs and digital product passports (DPPs) in sustainable product development. In a recent presentation, Katren Sellik, Sustainability & Compliance Manager at JELD-WEN, shared key insights into the company’s journey, EPD generation process, and how they utilize One Click LCA’s EPD Generator to drive sustainable practices.

JELD-WEN’s EPD journey and current progress

JELD-WEN’s sustainability journey began in earnest in 2022 with the establishment of a dedicated sustainability team. Initially a three-person operation, the team expanded to nine specialists by 2024, underscoring the growing importance of EPDs within the organization. Today, JELD-WEN has 48 verified EPDs for the Nordic market, alongside certifications for the UK and French markets. These declarations are critical for meeting region-specific requirements, including France’s stringent verification standards and Denmark’s CO2 emission limits.

In the early stages, the process faced significant bottlenecks, with limited resources managing a large EPD scope. Over time, the adoption of One Click LCA’s streamlined and automated tools significantly reduced manual effort, enabling faster verification and publication. This evolution highlights the need for robust tools and processes to achieve scalability in EPD generation.

JELD-WEN’s EPD generation process and usage

Streamlined process

JELD-WEN’s EPD generation begins with identifying priority products through collaboration with sales and product management teams. Data collection—the most labor-intensive stage—involves visiting production sites, engaging local experts, and providing on-site training to raise awareness about EPD importance. Once data is gathered, it is modeled using One Click LCA, leveraging automated tools for seamless verification and publication.

Real-world applications

The primary use of EPDs is to meet market demands for standardized, transparent data. EPDs feed into building life cycle assessments (LCA), support building certifications like LEED and BREEAM, and respond to customer expectations for sustainability. Additionally, JELD-WEN uses EPD insights to inform internal climate goals, helping measure and reduce Scope 3 emissions through supplier collaboration, renewable energy sourcing, and increasing recycled content.

Ecodesign for sustainable products and digital product passports

Ecodesign and digital product passports are central to JELD-WEN’s vision for sustainable product development. EPDs align seamlessly with the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, addressing environmental impact, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. Digital product passports, mandated by upcoming legislation, are expected to standardize environmental data reporting across a product’s life cycle. JELD-WEN is proactively preparing for this shift by ensuring its product EPDs meet the anticipated requirements, providing a head start in compliance.

Leveraging One Click LCA for product development and circularity

New product development process

One Click LCA has become an integral part of JELD-WEN’s product development process. By modeling the environmental impact of potential changes—such as substituting materials or sourcing lower-carbon materials from new suppliers—the company ensures that sustainability is a foundational aspect of product design. This structured approach enables informed decision-making and aligns with evolving market and regulatory demands.

Adopting circular economy initiatives

JELD-WEN has also incorporated circular economy principles into its operations. By leveraging One Click LCA’s powerful tool for creating environmental product declarations (EPDs), the company evaluates the environmental impact of initiatives such as refurbishing and reselling used doors or incorporating higher levels of recycled materials. This tool enables JELD-WEN to perform detailed life-cycle assessments (LCAs), providing data-driven insights into the global warming potential, material efficiency, and carbon footprint of their products. These insights empower JELD-WEN to design products that minimize waste, maximize resource efficiency, and align with sustainability goals, while also meeting market and regulatory demands for transparent environmental data.

Navigating regulations and certifications

EPDs provide a critical foundation for navigating complex regulatory landscapes. They align with key frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and EU Taxonomy, which demand standardized, transparent data for Scope 3 emissions reporting and product sustainability. Additionally, EPDs position JELD-WEN to meet future requirements under the Ecodesign Regulation and Digital Product Passport mandates.

JELD-WEN: Staying ahead of the curve with EPDs and DPPs

JELD-WEN’s commitment to sustainability through EPDs, ecodesign, and digital product passports demonstrates the essential role of these tools. By utilizing One Click LCA, the company has streamlined its processes, expanded its EPD portfolio, and positioned itself as a leader in sustainable building products. These efforts not only meet current market and regulatory demands but also prepare for future advancements in circularity and sustainable construction.