What does an EPD look like?
An EPD will typically start by giving general information about the company and product, and will briefly describe things like base materials, the manufacturing process, packaging, delivery and disposal. It will then give some data about carbon content, transport and recycling.
[image showing some of the life cycle assessment section? Above is taken from the single lever basin mixer on this pagehttps://www.idealstandard.co.uk/expertise/epd]
The main event of any EPD is the section showing the results of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which we’ll look at next, and then there’s some interpretation of the results, plus references which support the Life Cycle Assessment outcomes.
How do you interpret the data in an EPD?
This is where it gets technical. Interpreting EPDs involves understanding the various environmental indicators they report. There are four parts to the LCA results section: Environmental impact, resource use, waste categories and output flows, and additional impact categories.
In the environmental impact section alone,there’s a lot to take in, with plenty of acronyms to learn.
Global warming potential (GWP):The product's contribution to climate change.
Ozone depletion potential (ODP): The impact on the ozone layer.
Acidification potential (AP): The potential to cause acid rain.
Eutrophication potential (EP): The impact on water bodies and ecosystems.
Photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP): The formation potential of ground-level ozone,commonly known as smog.
Abiotic depletion potential for elements (ADPE): The potential to deplete non-fossil resources, such as metals and minerals.
Abiotic depletion potential for fossil resources (ADPF): The potential to deplete fossil resources, such as coal, oil and natural gas.
Water (user) deprivation potential (Taking examples from the LCA shown above, the total global warming potential in lifecycle phase A3 (manufacturing) is equivalent to 5.84kg of CO2. Looking at water deprivation potential in the same phase, 2.82 m3 of water is used. These, for example, give clear opportunities for comparison with products from other manufacturers.
What are the problems with EPDs?
Despite their benefits, EPDs have some limitations. They are, by their nature, complex and technical, making them difficult to understand for non-experts. The quality and reliability of data can vary, affecting their accuracy. Not all environmental impacts are covered and some relevant categories might be missing. Finally, developing EPDs can be resource-intensive, potentially limiting their adoption by smaller companies.
Comparing aesthetically design-driven products rather than more functional generic products
Comparing the EPDs of aesthetically driven or bespoke products with generic, functional products can be challenging because of differences in material composition, manufacturing processes and functional priorities. Bespoke products often involve unique, energy-intensive processes and lack standardisation, leading to higher environmental impacts and inconsistencies in EPD data.
Additionally, these products prioritise design over efficiency, making direct comparisons with generic products difficult. When evaluating EPDs, project teams need to balance environmental considerations with the aesthetic and functional benefits bespoke products offer, often requiring a nuanced decision-making approach.
What is Ideal Standard’s current EPD Offer?
We want to provide transparent and meaningful information about all product categories, making it even easier for specifiers, architects and building owners to use Ideal Standard solutions in their projects.
By the beginning of 2024, we had published EPDs for more than 5,000 individual products covering a wide range of categories, including single lever basin mixers, bath and showers mixers, dual control and thermostatic mixers, toilets, ceramic cisterns, bidets, washbasins,pedestals and urinals. All of them are verified by the third party organisation, Institut Bauen und Umwelt, to ensure full transparency and authenticity.
In 2024, we are in the process of expanding our EPD coverage to acrylic shower trays, shower systems, pre-wall solutions,commercial taps and toilet seats. Our intention is that very soon our entire product portfolio will have EPDs, in line with our commitment to sustainability and our desire to be transparent about everything we do.
We believe authenticity is crucial when it comes to sustainability,which is why Ideal Standard EPDs are easy to access. For example, they come with products specified using our online digital design tool, the Singular Configurator.
The future of EPDs
We can expect several key developments as EPDs become more and more prevalent in construction:
1) Wider adoption and standardisation: EPDs will most likely become a standard requirement across all building projects, driven by stricter regulations and growing demand for transparency in environmental impacts.
2) Integration with digital tools: As BIM and other digital platforms evolve, EPDs will be more seamlessly integrated into design and construction workflows, allowing for real-time environmental impact analysis and more informed decision-making.
3) Expanded scope and detail: It is expected that EPDs will include more detailed data on social and economic impacts, not just environmental factors. This holistic approach could better inform sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
4) Enhanced accessibility: As EPDs become more user-friendly and accessible, smaller companies and projects will be able to leverage this data, leading to more widespread adoption of sustainable practices.
We hope these two blogs have been helpful.If you would like to know more about Ideal Standard’s EPDs, you can find out about EPDs and more in our latest sustainability report, Together for a Better Future, here: https://www.idealstandard.co.uk/about-us/sustainability