The Australasian EPD Scheme
The lack of a scheme for the development and registration of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) in New Zealand and Australia has been a barrier to those companies seeking to differentiate the environmental performance of their products through science-based, third party verified reporting.
The Life Cycle Association New Zealand (LCANZ) together with its counterpart in Australia (Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society – ALCAS) have therefore worked towards the establishment of The Australasian EPD Scheme in New Zealand and Australia. An EPD is a short standard format report that includes quantified environmental data for any product or service based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), according to international standards (14040, 14044 and 14025).
“The Australasian scheme will be based on an international scheme, to ensure international recognition and compatibility as well as a cost effective way of leveraging off existing experience”, commented Barbara Nebel, President of LCANZ, when she announced the Memorandum of Understanding between LCANZ, ALCAS and The International EPD System.
Globally, EPDs are providing a basis for provision of information and data about the environmental credentials of products. “The Australasian specific scheme will enable local industries to clearly and transparently communicate to their customers and other interested parties thus reducing the problem of ‘green wash’” explained Barbara Nebel. The Australasian EPD Scheme aims to provide a “local” point of reference and mechanism by which New Zealand and Australian companies, or companies importing products into these countries, across all sectors can obtain a third party verified EPD.
EPDs deliver benefits for industry
Meeting customer needs: EPDs provide a clear, fair and transparent basis for communication of the environmental performance of products and services to customers and other stakeholders.
Added credibility: Using a science-based approach, a transparent process and third party verification, EPDs provide a relatively cheap way of adding credibility to environmental claims for products used domestically or in export markets.
Ensuring a “level playing field”: Products can only really be assessed on a “level playing field” if their functionality is considered fairly, e.g. comparing emissions or impacts over the entire life of a product in an agreed manner. Sectors using LCA and publishing EPDs can ensure their products and services are properly represented through using standard internationally agreed rules for environmental assessment of product performance.
Preparing for changing market needs: As sustainability becomes an important driver in international and local markets the development of The Australasian EPD Scheme will ensure that New Zealand and Australian businesses are positioned at the forefront of environmental communication and are thus well prepared for changing market needs.
International recognition: EPDs are increasingly used internationally in key NZ markets, including Europe, Asia and the USA, to support product environmental credentials. The Australasian EPD Scheme will provide an internationally recognised entry point for New Zealand industry proactively wanting to raise the environmental profile of their products. For construction product manufacturers, products with EPD are increasingly gaining recognition in building environmental rating tools locally and internationally including Green Star (Australia), LEED and BREEAM.