The importance of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) under the EU CPR 305/2011 and ISO 14020:2022 series, demonstrating our commitment to meeting EN 15804+A2:2020 standards for a greener future.
Current EU Regulation and the Role of EPDs
In the European Union, the construction industry operates under a regulatory framework established by the Construction Products Regulation (CPR 305/2011). This regulation outlines seven Basic Works Requirements (BWR) that every construction product must meet:
Mechanical Resistance and Stability
Safety in Case of Fire
Hygiene, Health, and the Environment
Safety in Use
Protection Against Noise
Energy Economy/Efficiency
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
To specifically address the sustainable use of resources and the environmental impact of construction products, the regulation emphasizes the use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) when available.
The ISO 14020:2022 Series and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
The ISO 14020:2022 series “Environmental statements and programmes for products Principles and general requirements” provides a comprehensive framework for environmental labels, self-declarations, and third-party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). It encompasses:
ISO 14020: General principles for all environmental labels and declarations.
ISO 14021: Guidelines for self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling).
ISO 14024: Principles and procedures for Type I environmental labelling.
ISO 14025: The standard for Type III environmental declarations, i.e., EPDs.
An Environmental Product Declaration, as defined by ISO 14025, is a Type III declaration that provides quantifiable environmental data to compare products that serve the same function. The EPD methodology is based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool that follows ISO series 14040. The EPDs are generated according to the relevant ISO and EN standards - ISO 14040/14044/14025/21930 and EN 15804. EPDs use the Global Warming Potential (GWP) metric to assess the environmental impact of building products. The GWP measures the radiative forcing effect of a greenhouse gas compared to carbon dioxide over a period of time. It's expressed in units of kilograms or tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
EN 15804, a European standard for Environmental Product Declaration
EN 15804 is a European standard that defines the principles, requirements, and procedures for the assessment of the environmental performance of construction products. It is the key standard for determining an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). This EPD standard has been broadly adopted worldwide. In July 2019, a major amendment, EN 15804+A2, was approved which changes EPDs significantly and has become mandatory since July 2022.
The main difference between EN 15804+A1:2013 and EN 15804+A2:2020 is the impact category array. The categories which are taken into consideration are almost identical, however, the measurement units they are represented by, are different from the ones in EN 15804+A1.
EN 15804+A2 requires more environmental impact indicators to be declared, and with other characterization methods than in EN 15804+A1. Most often, EPD results based on EN 15804+A2 will therefore not be comparable with EPD results based on EN 15804+A1.
Amendment 2 (+A2) of EN 15804 aligns with the European Commission’s Environmental-Footprint Initiative (PEF). Key updates include:
Compliance with Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Requirements: Ensuring alignment with the European Commission’s initiatives.
Updated Characterisation Factors: For more accurate lifecycle impact assessment.
Extended Environmental Impact Indicators: Including Global Warming Potential (GWP), Eutrophication Potential (EP), and Water Scarcity (WDP).
Optional Additional Indicators: For a broader environmental impact assessment.
Enhanced Data Quality Rating: Ensuring higher accuracy and reliability of data.
Analysis of Variance of Declared Products: Providing more detailed information on product variability.
Mandatory End-of-Life Declaration: Emphasizing the importance of the product lifecycle's end stage.
It is important to compare construction products using the same EN standards because it ensures that the environmental impact of the products is measured and reported in a consistent and transparent manner. This allows for a fair comparison of the environmental performance of different products and helps to identify areas where improvements can be made.
Paroc Panel System's Commitment to Transparency and Environmental Performance
We are dedicated to transparently declaring our product environmental performance in accordance with 15804:2012+A2:2019/AC:2021.. This commitment reflects our focus on sustainability and our responsibility towards the environment. By aligning our products with these rigorous standards, we contribute to a more sustainable construction industry and a healthier planet.
Paroc Panel Ssytem's EPDs are third-party certified and are part of the company's effort for transparency and sustainability throughout the manufacturing process and supply chain. Through ambitious supply chain targets, we aim to reduce the carbon intensity of key raw materials by 50% by 2030. 10-year global sustainability program, Planet Passionate, is a strategic pillar of its business strategy with ambitious aims to positively impact three global challenges: climate change, circularity, and protection of the natural world.
