As an international programme operator, EPD International AB recognises that EPDs are required to meet different needs worldwide. The International EPD System (IES) aims to adapt to these needs while maintaining the highest level of EPD quality.
When regulation requires a specific external PCR to be used for developing EPDs in a certain context, such as public procurement, this PCR may after approval be used to publish EPDs in IES.
An external PCR thus refers to a PCR that has not been published or adopted in IES. Since an external PCR generally does not comply with the General Programme Instructions (GPI) of IES, it can only be used to publish EPDs in IES under certain conditions. To request the approval of an external PCRs for publishing EPDs in IES, kindly find the conditions and procedures below.
Note: Regulations hereby refers to any level, including subnational, national, or international regulations. Market requirements expressed by any industry or trade association are not considered regulation in this context. An external PCR required by the market can instead be used in IES after being adopted (see section 9.8 of GPI).
To request an external PCR to be used in IES, the PCR document shall be sent to EPD International via support@environdec.com along with:
a. proof that it is required by regulation and can be used in IES without a mutual recognition agreement (MRA)1, and
b. a description of the context in which it is required (e.g., the intended use of the EPDs).
This request may, for example, be sent by a prospective EPD owner (typically a manufacturer), an LCA consultant on behalf of an EPD owner, an approved verifier, or a licensee of IES.
EPD International may then approve the use of the external PCR, after a review of the external PCR and the proof provided.
The aim of the review is to ensure that: 1) the external PCR follows ISO 14025, 2) the external PCR is required to use according to regulation, 3) the external PCR can be used in IES without an MRA (e.g., with regards to IP rights), and 4) the external PCR is valid (i.e., has not expired).
External PCRs currently approved in IES are listed below.
Once the external PCR has been approved for use, the EPDs developed according to the approved external PCR can be verified and published in IES. This shall follow the normal procedure as outlined in the GPI, with the following clarifications, conditions, and exceptions:
a. The verifier involved in EPD development shall be an individual verifier or accredited certification body approved in IES.
b. The EPD shall include a statement stating the use of the approved external PCR and under what regulation the external PCR is mandatory to use.
Note: If it is an EPD of a construction product, the statement shall clarify what international standard the EPD complies with (e.g., ISO 21930). Note that EPDs published under the approved external PCR cannot claim compliance with EN 15804, as all EN 15804-compliant EPDs shall follow PCR 2019:14 and the associated ECO Platform standards.
c. EPDs verified according to the approved external PCR cannot be published using the EPD Compiler, unless an exception is made by the Secretariat. This is due to the EPD Compiler is an advanced function for PCR-specific EPDs.
d. The approved external PCR may be used as a basis for a pre-verified tool, according to the requirements outlined in Section 8.6 of the GPI.
1 If the PCR requires an MRA to be used (e.g., due to IP rights), one shall contact EPD International to explore the option to develop an MRA with the owner of the PCR.
Last update: 2025-02-27