Successful EPD creation: Success factors for manufacturing companies

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is based on a detailed life cycle assessment and requires extensive data collection. Many companies underestimate this effort and are lured by software providers with unrealistic promises. They should ask themselves how they can fully achieve successful EPD creation. Because software alone cannot replace this complex process!

Successful EPD creation requires more than just software

Why isn't software enough?

Many vendors suggest that EPDs can be created quickly and easily with their software. However, the reality is quite different: without sound advice and company-specific expertise, the software remains merely a tool with limited usefulness. The real challenge lies in identifying, ensuring the quality, and modeling the relevant data – no software can do the work for you when it comes to successfully implementing this entire package.

Software is therefore only one part of the solution. Anyone wanting to create a robust EPD must build internal expertise that goes beyond simply understanding the standards. Companies need to know where to find reliable data, whether on materials, energy consumption, or production processes. Suppliers and waste disposal companies also play a crucial role, as many environmental impacts occur along the value chain. An EPD is only as good as its data foundation – generic data models are just one part of the solution, not the whole picture.

What makes a good EPD?

Clear objective: EPDs should not only be seen as a mandatory requirement, but as a strategic tool for sustainability assessment. A well-founded EPD can help companies meet ESG and CSRD requirements and drive sustainable product development.

High-quality data models: A sound life cycle assessment forms the basis for reliable results and comparability. The data model should be consistently and comprehensively built on company-specific data to leverage synergies. For example, companies conducting a carbon footprint assessment can benefit from a harmonized data model that reflects both product and operational emissions.

Flexibility: Companies should ensure their data model doesn't become a rigid, isolated solution usable only for EPD creation. A flexible model allows for the simulation of various scenarios, such as material substitutions or recycling processes. Adaptable datasets play a crucial role here, enabling companies to map and analyze their specific situation within the data model.

Transparency & Control: A good model is comprehensible, adaptable, and analyzable in detail. Companies should be able to understand the contents of the data model and further develop it according to changing circumstances. Furthermore, the model should be structured in such a way that auditors can perform verification at any time.

Beware of quick fixes!

Some providers promise that an EPD can be created with just a few clicks. However, such tools often have serious weaknesses:

Standardized data models often only inadequately reflect reality and therefore distort the results.

Rigid datasets cannot reflect individual circumstances.

Generic data causes increased environmental impacts for all indicators, including carbon footprint results.

Companies should be aware that EPDs have a lifespan of five years. Investing in a solid data foundation and sound advice pays off in the long run.

Conclusion: Focus on competence from the outset and question marketing promises!

EPDs are long-term investments. Quick fixes using software can lead to critical weaknesses only becoming apparent after costly implementations. Instead, focus on a combination of sound consulting and building internal expertise. The goal should be to create a future-proof data model that you understand and that shows you the actual environmental impacts of your products, extending all the way to the entire organization.

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