What are EPDs and how can they help you?
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) have become increasingly important in today’s world.
As businesses seek to communicate the environmental impact of their products. At INTRAsystems, we see EPDs as the future of sustainable specification for our Entrance Matting products and for the construction industry as a whole. In this blog, we will explore what EPDs are, their purpose, and their importance in promoting sustainability.
What are EPDs?
EPDs are standardised documents that provide transparent and comparable data on the environmental impact of a product or material throughout its entire life cycle. These documents are verified by an independent third-party and provide valuable information on the environmental impact of a product. This includes things like its carbon footprint, water usage, and other environmental factors. As the first Entrance Matting manufacturers to invest in EPDs, we’re proud to pioneer our industry’s next step to sustainable specification.
Entrance Matting EPD
Why are they important?
EPDs are important because they provide valuable information for consumers, architects, and construction professionals who want to make informed decisions about the products they use. By understanding the environmental impact of a product, businesses can make more sustainable choices and reduce their carbon footprint. Our new EPD range for 9 of our INTRA products allows for our Entrance Matting to be specified with a sustainability promise. When you see the EPD certificate, you know all the environmental impact data is directly available to you. Seeing the EPD accreditation on our Entrance Matting products means architects can specify with confidence, knowing INTRA products will help you in achieving an Excellent or Outstanding BREEAM rating.
How are EPDs created?
EPDs are created using a standardised process known as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This process involves assessing the environmental impact of a product or material across its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. The LCA process takes into account all relevant environmental factors and impacts, including energy usage, water consumption, and emissions. Another consideration is how sustainable a product is over time. For example, our INTRAlink2 product is listed as our most sustainable product due to its innovative 100% recycled PVC. Although INTRAform FR has a higher carbon content, it is still hugely sustainable when you consider its 20-year life span. This means that it only has to be replaced every 2 decades and is very sustainable overall.
There are some assumptions that have to made during the process. EPDs are the most accurate way of certifying a product’s sustainable status, but it isn’t an exact science. When taking into account how a product is transported and installed by contractors – averages are calculated. This includes things such as distance to site to create the most accurate picture possible of any product’s environmental impact.
Beyond the LCA process
Once the LCA process is complete, the data is compiled into an EPD. It is then verified by an independent third-party. The EPD provides a standardised and transparent way to communicate the environmental impact of a product. It enables consumers, architects, and construction professionals to make informed decisions.
EPDs are an essential tool for promoting sustainability and enabling informed decision-making. We have invested heavily in streamlining your process, making sustainability a more attainable goal for you and your business. By providing standardised and transparent data on the environmental impact of a product, you can make more sustainable choices and reduce your own carbon footprint. As more businesses embrace sustainability, we can expect to see an increase in the use of EPDs, enabling us to build a more sustainable future.
Head to our products page to learn more about all 9 of our EPD accredited products.