What is an EPD?
An environmental product declaration (EPD) is a standardised and verified way of quantifying the environmental impacts of a product based on a consistent set of rules that have been developed through an extensive stakeholder consultation process.
These impacts are based on the product’s consumption of raw materials and energy, waste generation, and emissions to air, soil and water over its full life cycle. An EPD includes a carbon footprint alongside other environmental indicators.
How can you use EPDs in environmental ratings systems and tender documents?
EPDs may be used by project teams to obtain Green Star points using the Design & As Built and Interiors rating tools under the following credits:
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Materials > Product Transparency and Sustainability: As an industry-wide EPD
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Materials > Life Cycle Assessment: By providing data for an EN 15978 compliant whole-of-building whole-of-life assessment
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Innovation Challenge > Responsible Carbon Impact: By providing embodied carbon impacts (i.e., data on Global Warming Potential) which can be used in the calculation and reduction of the total embodied carbon impacts of a project.
The EPDs are also recognised for credits in the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating scheme of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA).
EPDs are also being required in increasing numbers of tender documents.
Who researched and checked the EPDs?
Updated EPDs for five Australian wood products and a new EPD for Glulam have been authored by thinkstep and Stephen Mitchell Associates. They are all independently verified by Kimberley Robertson of Catalyst to ISO 14025 and EN 15804. The EPDs are registered by The Australasian EPD Programme Ltd which is part of the International EPD System.
The white cypress EPD was independently verified by Andrew D. Moore, Life Cycle Logic Pty. Ltd
Note: to download documents please go to the base of this page. You must be a registered user to download documents – registration is fast and free.
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Environmental Product Declaration: Softwood Timber(Updated February 2022) This Environmental Product Declaration presents the industry-wide average performance of sawn timber from Australian grown softwood processed in Australia by members of Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). It recognises the importance of transparency by providing information on the raw materials, production and environmental impacts of Australian softwood. Product groups included in this EPD:
Data is presented for untreated and preservative treated softwood products.
Please register and log in (it's fast and free) to download this document from the base of this page. |
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Environmental Product Declaration: Hardwood Timber(Updated December 2020) This Environmental Product Declaration presents the industry-wide average performance of sawn timber from Australian grown hardwood processed in Australia by members of Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). It recognises the importance of transparency by providing information on the raw materials, production and environmental impacts of Australian hardwood. Product groups included in this EPD
Data is presented for untreated and preservative treated hardwood products. Please register and login (it's fast and free) to download this document from the base of this page. |
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Environmental Product Declaration: Particleboard(Updated December 2020) This Environmental Product Declaration presents the industry-wide average performance of particleboard manufactured in Australia from Australian grown wood and residues by members of Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). It recognises the importance of transparency by providing information on the raw materials, production and environmental impacts of Australian particleboard. Product groups included in this EPD
Please register and login (it's fast and free) to download this document from the base of this page. |
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Environmental Product Declaration: MDF(Updated December 2020) This Environmental Product Declaration presents the industry-wide average performance of medium density fibreboard (MDF) manufactured in Australia from Australian grown wood and residues by members of Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). It recognises the importance of transparency by providing information on the raw materials, production and environmental impacts of Australian MDF. Product groups included in this EPD
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Environmental Product Declaration: Plywood(Updated December 2020) This Environmental Product Declaration presents the industry-wide average performance of plywood manufactured in Australia from Australian grown wood by members of Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). It recognises the importance of transparency by providing information on the raw materials, production and environmental impacts of Australian plywood. Product groups included in this EPD:
Please register and login (it's fast and free) to download this document from the base of this page. |
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Environmental Product Declaration: Glulam(Updated December 2017) This Environmental Product Declaration presents the industry-wide average performance of Glulam manufactured in Australia from Australian grown wood by members of Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) and the Glued Laminated Timber Association of Australia (GLTAA). It recognises the importance of transparency by providing information on the raw materials, production and environmental impacts of Australian Glulam. Product groups included in this EPD:
Data is presented for untreated and preservative treated glulam products. Please register and login (it's fast and free) to download this document from the base of this page. |
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Environmental Product Declaration: White Cypress Timber(April 2022) This Environmental Product Declaration presents the industry-wide average performance of sawn timber from Australian grown white cypress processed in Australia by members of Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). It recognises the importance of transparency by providing information on the raw materials, production and environmental impacts of Australian white cypress.
Please register and log in (it's fast and free) to download this document from the base of this page. |