Page 13 - European Energy Innovation - Spring 2016 publication

Spring 2016 European Energy Innovation 13

COMMUNICATION

ECO PLATFORM

EN 15804 VERIFIED PLATFORM

approach. The format to provide The European Commission intends to Christian Donath
product-specific life cycle data is called support customers in their purchasing
an environmental product declaration decisions with simple environmental to find quick suitable solutions for
(EPD). information on products. The idea of construction products. On the basis of
a “Product Environmental Footprint” the existing EPD principle, it is possible
THE ECO EPD – A TRULY EUROPEAN (PEF) is currently being tested. While to find appropriate solutions for the
SOLUTION a simple solution based on a product- comprehensive PEF approach.
The established building rating to-product comparison is useful for
schemes reward the provision of EPD. many consumer products, it can be Get more information on the ECO
Due to the lack of a common European misleading for construction products, EPD and the Platform’s activities on
EPD solution, various rating schemes as described above. the “ECO EPD Day” in Brussels on 6
initially concentrated on national October 2016. Please find detailed
solutions. The provision of various EPD While modular product-specific data information in the ECO Platform PEF
to be recognized in all rating schemes are needed for the assessment of the Position paper and register for the
in Europe and abroad resulted in an sustainable building performance event on the ECO Platform homepage
unacceptably large effort on behalf of (B2B), it is necessary to have www.eco-platform.org. l
the product manufacturers. simplified information for consumers
(B2C). EPD are the solution for B2B AUTHOR
The ECO Platform was conceived to communication. PEF may introduce Christian Donath
solve this problem. All established some benchmarks that are able to ECO Platform AISBL
EPD programme operators in Europe provide simpler solutions for B2C Managing Director
formed an alliance with the objective communication. However, both EPD info@eco-platform.org
of developing a common European and PEF should be based on the same www.eco-platform.org
solution: the ECO EPD – recognized by data from the industry to avoid double
all programmes throughout Europe. efforts for the manufacturers and
confusion in the market.
The European ECO EPD has existed
since 2014 and is starting to replace the THE PLATFORM ECO
former national solutions. The members of ECO Platform from
all relevant stakeholder groups offer
PUBLIC EUROPEAN INITIATIVES their experience and know-how

EPD – ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS ARE
• LCA-based product information for the entire life cycle with a core set of

indicators

• based on international and European standards: the ISO 14040 series, ISO
14025 and EN 15804 for construction products

• independently verified

• a comprehensive data basis for the assessment of the environmental
performance of buildings

• an accepted industry standard for construction products in Europe

EPD provide product specific information about the environmental impact
during all stages of the life cycle. There is no benchmark or pre-assessment on
product level. The interpretation happens on the functional unit – the building
level. EPD provide the data for life cycle assessments on the building level.

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