Communication of Environmental Profiles of products in the market - Environmental Product Declarations - summary of experiences and results from the projects Ole Jørgen Hanssen STØ

Main outline for the presentation What is EPD Type III? Results from the EPD work in Leca International Trends in EPD development and application internationally Some problem areas we have experienced Some important questions to be discussed EPD in a strategic context The way ahead

What is EPD Type III Good overview in the Application Catalogue on the project web!

Results from EPD development in Leca companies General format has been adjusted to use for LWA materials and Leca products More than 25 EPD’s have been developed, and can be published whenever companies want to Examples on format for EPD in the Application Catalogue

Some important problem areas experienced in EPD development Definition of functional unit for complex products Mass or volume as the basis for the reference flow User phase vs. production - how to show the impact on energy consumption in buildings Inclusion of other environmental and health parameters (indoor climate, technical properties, ergonomy etc) How to allocate environmental burdens between virgin and recycled materials ==> Most or all aspects have been taken care of in the final declaration format

Some important questions to be answered or that have been answered Who should be responsible for developing and publishing EPDs (the companies of course!) Will environment be a competitive strength for companies, and will EPDs contribute to market growth? Is an EPD enough in it self, or will customers really study the content and differentiate between companies? Will customers accept that Leca companies will not use EPDs for “internal” competition? Is it necessary to certify the EPD’s by independent reviewer?

International trends in development of EPD Type III Sweden: Most large companies are developing EPD Type III for their main products (Ikea, ABB, Electrolux), and some companies are changing from Ecolabels to EPD Type III (Paper industry) Norway: The building sector is very active, and some important contracts have been won due to EPD Type III. Energy sector is starting to develop EPD’s. New laws for public procurement and for public rights concerning environmental information from business Internationally: New programs are starting in other countries in Europe and SE Asia (construction and electronics)

EPD’s in a strategic context Worst Candidate for environmental improvement (and then EPD) EPD candidates - increase market value Worst

EPD’s in a strategic context Prioritise the products that is most important to promote in the market, i.e the products with best environmental profile (active strategy) Prioritise the key products that the company expects to get requests from the market (passive strategy - keep them available for publication) Availability of EPDs will in itself be a strategic strength in the next years The marketing people must know how to use them!