Environmental Product Declaration

What is the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and why is it important

The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a voluntary certification that highlights the environmental impact of a product, process or service by analyzing the mapping of all input and output mass and energy flows of the analyzed system, such as raw materials, energy consumption, waste production, atmospheric emissions, etc.

It is a powerful tool for transparency and responsibility, revealing the environmental impacts associated with the production of a specific product or service to enhance its sustainability.

Why is EPD crucial?

EPD certification is not just an environmental product declaration; it represents a concrete commitment to sustainability. This label is based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, in which a product is analyzed throughout its life cycle, from production to disposal, using various environmental indicators, including global warming, eutrophication, resource consumption, water consumption, acidification, ozone layer thinning, photochemical smog, etc.

The complete "cradle to grave" perspective

The "cradle to grave" approach of LCA encompasses all critical phases, from raw material extraction to transportation, from production to the end of the product life cycle.
The results are presented synthetically through the use of a series of environmental indicators, such as Global Warming Potential (GWP) expressed as the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per declared unit of product (e.g., per ton).

This method provides a comprehensive view of environmental impacts, enabling companies to make informed decisions based on solid scientific data and to synergize environmental sustainability with high performance.

Advantages of EPD for businesses

With EPD certification, companies not only position themselves at the forefront of sustainability but also gain economic and reputational benefits, leading the way toward a sustainable business future.

Despite following a structured and rigorous procedure, EPD is not bound by minimum levels of environmental performance and therefore adapts to any product or service (provided its PCR - Product Category Rules are present; these are product rules that specify how a particular product or category of products should be analyzed). This flexibility proves particularly effective in agri-food, textile, and cosmetic supply chains.

The 5 key advantages of EPD certification for businesses:

1. Process optimization and cost reduction
By constantly monitoring and evaluating the environmental performance of products and services, EPD becomes a crucial tool for optimizing production processes, reducing waste, and consequently containing business costs.

2. Brand enhancement through transparency
Through EPD certification, companies can communicate clearly, transparently, and objectively the environmental performance throughout the entire production chain. This contributes to building a trust relationship with stakeholders, consolidating the corporate reputation and positioning the brand as a leader in the industry.

3. Contribution to sustainability protocol credits
EPD provides tangible support in obtaining credits for sustainability protocols, strengthening the company's commitment to concrete environmental goals.

4. Facilitation of green procurement
By facilitating the exchange of information, EPD certification serves as a key tool to support "green procurement," both in the public and private sectors. Companies with EPD are advantaged in an increasingly sustainability-sensitive market.

5. Certification of recycled content
For products subject to Building Environmental Product Declarations (CAM) and beyond, EPD certifies the content of recycled material, demonstrating the company's commitment to Minimum Environmental Criteria.

With EPD certification, companies not only position themselves at the forefront of sustainability but also gain economic and reputational benefits, leading the way toward a sustainable business future.

Our services to obtain EPD certification

Certimac's Sustainability Division supports manufacturers through every phase of the process, starting from defining objectives and scope, guiding them in collecting necessary data, providing in-depth analysis of results until obtaining EPD certification.

Our commitment is to provide comprehensive support that allows companies to embrace sustainability effectively and integratedly and achieve tangible results for their growth by ensuring a strategic approach that meets the dual challenge of low environmental impact and high performance.

Certimac specialists support organizations on their sustainability journey to obtain EPD. We actively collaborate with the client's team to develop products and processes that combine the need for environmental sustainability with market-required high performance.

Learn how we support companies.

The drafting of an Environmental Product Declaration goes through 6 phases:

With criteria of absolute independence, impartiality, and technical expertise, Certimac - a Research Organization founded and participated by ENEA and CNR - intervenes with its Sustainability Division and its specialized professionals in the analysis of the environmental and energy impact of products, processes, and services, using tools such as EPD (Environmental Product Declaration), CFP (Carbon Footprint), and the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodology. These advanced methods are not only essential for companies and public administrations but also represent a fundamental added value in environmental management.

Our goal is to apply the results of scientific research to the eco-efficient management and design of products and processes. We identify and assess environmental criticalities, promoting technological and sustainable innovation in processes and products. From an initial assessment to the application of eco-design solutions, we are committed to guiding manufacturers, also providing support in securing funding for green innovation.

Thanks to our multidisciplinary expertise and joint work with the Energy and Materials Divisions, we integrate environmental and engineering aspects, ensuring that products are safe, high-performing, and eco-friendly throughout their life cycle.

A tangible commitment to a sustainable future

We offer comprehensive support throughout the verification and validation phase until obtaining the label. This process ensures the reliability and transparency of information, allowing companies to clearly communicate the environmental impacts of their products or services to the market. The Certimac Sustainability Path is not just a service but a strategic collaboration. With Certimac, the EPD becomes more than a certification; it becomes the tangible symbol of change and innovation toward a more sustainable and high-performance future.