Home / Blog / What does an Environmental Product Declaration Contribute to a Business?

What does an Environmental Product Declaration Contribute to a Business?

What exactly is an Environmental Product Declaration?

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) was coined by the International organization for Standardization (ISO) in order to ensure the concern of different companies on the sustainable development of various products and brands within their business. It primarily refers to a comprehensive report mentioning the environmental impact of a particular product during the entire course of its life cycle, prominently assuring the control of greenhouse gas emissions and resultant global warming, ozone layer depletion, and other environmental hazards. The concept of EPD improves the companie’s commitment to the environment, leading to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, and making them more civilized through Corporate Social Responsibility.

Environmental Declarations are reports containing detailed information about the environmental impact of the product and collect honest, accurate information that an independent third party has verified. The declarations on environmental products are incorporated into the Ecolabels, and environmental declarations are included within ISO 14020 standard. ISO 14020 standard and related standards. The life cycle study is based on the guidelines for product categories contained in international and national standards.

What does an Environmental Declaration contribute to a business?

The companies that adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Environmental Product Declaration are trustworthy businesses with verified environmental credentials and provide proven environmentally friendly items.

Environmental declarations can be classified according to kind, including Type I, Type II, and Type III declarations/labels.

The label type I

• This ecolabel is controlled under The ISO 14024 Environmental labels and declarations standard.
• These labels are part of an authentication system through a third party that allows the use of labels.
• Labels include the European Ecolabel, the AENOR Environmental Mark, or the Energy Star label.

The label type II

• It is a part of the ISO 14021 standard Environmental labels and declarations.
• They are self-declarations given by the manufacturer regarding certain elements of the product.

label III

• It is an environmental declaration on the product’s life cycle and communication of the company’s environmental performance according to what is defined in the ISO 14025 Standard, labels, and environmental declarations type III.
• These are also known as self-reported environmental claims and are environmental quantifications.
• For its use, it is necessary to follow the Product Category Rules for each type of product, which allows for its standardization.

The benefits of an Environmental Statement

The Environmental Declaration allows the evaluation of the environmental impact of products and services. After verification by an outside entity has been completed, businesses can demonstrate to their clients that they are trustworthy companies with services or products that respect the environment.

The lifecycle analyses are compatible with PEFC Forest Certification, also known as PEFC carbon footprint and environmental certification.

What is this Declaration examine?

A statement on the environment researches the following points, in addition to:

1. What amount of energy is needed, and from where it came (renewable or otherwise) for each stage of production
2. Analyzing the sources, whether renewable or not, needed to make the product
3. Analysis of the emission to the air, soil, or water in the process of making the product