How leading luminaire manufacturer RZB advances environmental transparency with product-specific EPDs

Why EPDs are essential for lighting

Awareness of environmental responsibility is growing rapidly in the construction and building technology sectors. More and more professionals are asking: how can a product’s sustainability be measured and communicated transparently? One central answer lies in environmental product declarations (EPDs).

“About 40% of global CO₂ emissions come from the construction sector and industry. Building services alone account for between 15% and 50% of embodied emissions in new buildings,” explains Péter Gyenge, Business Development Engineer at One Click LCA. “Luminaires alone account for around 15% of electricity consumption and 5% of greenhouse gas emissions. The conclusion is clear: improving lighting technology offers a major opportunity to reduce emissions and support global climate goals.”

There are over 50 million SKUs (stock keeping units) for MEP products in the European market, but less than 20,000 EPDs for these products. This major discrepancy highlights a need for further product transparency in the sector and EPDs are the most reliable way to bridge this gap. 

Traditional strengths, new demands: Why RZB chose a new path

Sergio Drawert, Technical Director at RZB, brings 25 years of experience in luminaire development and lighting technology — and is now deeply engaged in assessing the environmental impact of all of their luminaire components, including their use phase.

Although RZB, as a leading lighting manufacturer, has long focused on durable and high-quality products, it was challenging to systematically assess and communicate the environmental impact of individual products. Clients increasingly demand transparency on the CO₂ footprint of specific products — especially for sustainable construction projects and certifications such as DGNB.

Customers specifically ask for EPDs, particularly in sustainable construction projects. They want to know what share of a building’s total CO₂ footprint is attributable to our luminaires—often in the context of DGNB certification.

 —Sergio Drawert, Technical Director at RZB

A wide product portfolio, thousands of SKUs, and manual processes made creating reliable EPDs time-consuming and difficult to scale. Automation tools such as the EPD generator are therefore crucial for scaling product-level LCAs.

The right partner at the right time: How RZB found One Click LCA

To meet growing customer expectations, RZB searched for a software solution specifically designed for creating EPDs for luminaires. One Click LCA stood out thanks to its industry-specific focus, comprehensive LCA database, and ease of use.

One Click LCA gives us access to comprehensive databases like ecoinvent. That’s crucial because many emission values depend on whether components come from Europe or, for example, China.

 —Sergio Drawert, Technical Director at RZB

Another major improvement was the ability to import data directly from bills of materials (BOMs), dramatically reducing manual work.

Data import via BOMs is supported—which has been a great relief for us, especially given the size of our product portfolio and the large number of BOMs involved

 —Sergio Drawert, Technical Director at RZB

Light management by RZB

Smart light technology by RZB

Example of RZB Luminaire products

EPDs made easy: How RZB works with One Click LCA today

With the Luminaire EPD Generator from One Click LCA, RZB now produces EPDs in a streamlined and compliant way. The software supports the full input of production data, material quantities, and technical specifications—all the way through to visualizing CO₂ hotspots.

Our clients today expect reliable information about environmental impacts. With One Click LCA, we can deliver that—compliantly and reliably.

 — Sergio Drawert, Technical Director, RZB

When it comes to transparent and reliable EPDs, third-party verification in accordance with ISO 14025 is crucial. One Click LCA’s Luminaire EPD Generator offers the possibility to verify your EPDs directly with an ECO Platform recognised program operator, EPD Hub. The software also supports  PEP-EcoPassport, facilitating broader international applications.

Data-driven improvements: What RZB aims to achieve with EPDs

RZB shows how environmental optimization can be successfully implemented at the product and process level:

• Using waste heat from waste incineration to heat production facilities
• Using recycled materials, e.g., recycled aluminum, which cuts CO₂ impact by half
• Applying circular design principles focused on repairability and longevity
  

I recently discovered an RZB luminaire in an old farmhouse that had been in use for 50 years. We’ve always focused on durable and repairable products, and the use of recyclable materials.

 — Sergio Drawert, Technical Director at RZB

The RZB example shows how deeply EPDs can shape a company’s environmental profile. At the same time, it becomes clear: without digital tools like the Luminaire EPD Generator, implementation is barely scalable.
With One Click LCA, RZB not only aims to meet regulatory requirements but also to drive ecological product improvements and take customer communication to the next level.

“EPDs promote data transparency, meet regulatory requirements, and offer competitive advantages,” summarizes Péter Gyenge. “Our software helps overcome those hurdles.”
For architects, planners, procurement and sustainability professionals, now is the time to engage with EPDs — not just as a compliance requirement, but as a tool for differentiation.

The Luminare EPD Generator at a glance

• Creation of standards-compliant EPDs in line with EN 15804 + A2 and ISO 14025
• Material optimization (e.g., recycled aluminum with 50% lower CO₂ footprint)
• Greater transparency in tenders and DGNB-certified projects
• Integration of circular design and durable product design principles