Developing an EPD tool requires a rigorous process and a high level of technical expertise. Explore the different types of tools available within the International EPD System, their respective workflows, and identify the solution best suited to your EPD development needs.
The International EPD System offers tools to scale up EPD development. Based on the output generated from the tools, we offer three types of tools with varying levels of simplification and automation for the EPD development workflow. The pre-verified LCA tool, which yields LCA results, has the least complexity in terms of its development, while the fully pre-verified EPD tool, which streamlines EPD generation, has the highest complexity of all.
In the following, we present the types of the pre-verified tools, as well as their respective development processes in details.
Pre-verified tool types
Pre-verified LCA tool
Generates verified LCA results that can be used as the basis for an EPD.
WHAT IT OFFERS
• Pre-verified calculation model
• LCA results for EPD development
• Simplified verification of each EPD
Pre-verified EPD tool
Generates a complete EPD, including LCA results and all mandatory EPD information.
WHAT IT OFFERS
• Complete EPD documentation
• Pre-verified calculation and reporting model
• Simplified verification of each EPD
Fully pre-verified EPD tool
Generates complete EPDs through a fully pre-verified process.
WHAT IT OFFERS
• Integrity of input and output data
• Streamlined publication of multiple EPDs
• Annual external EPD verification, replacing individual EPD verification
Workflows of tool development and respective EPD development
For fully pre-verified tools, it is important to note that API integration may require development time and costs. Proficiency in IT systems & Software development is a pre-requisite to pursue developing tools of this type.
Step 1: Express interest
The tool owner completes the initial Expression of Interest form, providing key information about the tool, including details of the organisation, contact person, scope, applicable product category rules (PCR), and intended use.
It is at this step we at the International EPD System might request for a screening of the tool. It depends also on the maturity of the tool development. The screening might be requested to get an overview and a better sense of the tool and how it would work.
Step 2: Conduct a third-party verification of the tool
The tool owner engages an independent pre-verified tool verifier and provides the information required to initiate the verification process. The tool owner is required to inform us of the designated tool verifier when an agreement has been reached.
At the same time, the tool developer registers for access to the API staging portal and receives the credentials required to test the API integration and develop the tool in accordance with the International EPD System’s validation requirements and the applicable product category rules (PCR).
To complete the verification process, the tool owner, with support from the tool developer, prepares and submits all required tool documentation, in accordance with GPI Section 8.6.8. This documentation includes a pilot EPD generated in the staging environment to demonstrate that the tool is complete and functions as intended.
Step 3: Publish the tool in the International EPD System
The tool owner submits the Tool Verification Report, pilot EPD(s), and all required supporting documentation to the International EPD System in accordance with the requirements set out in GPI Section 8.6.8.
The Secretariat of the International EPD System reviews the submitted documentation to assess compliance with the applicable requirements and may request additional information, clarifications, or a demonstration of the tool as part of the review process.
Upon approval by the Secretariat, the tool and the verified version thereof are registered and enabled for use within the EPD Portal.
Step 4: Develop an EPD
Following the publication of the tool in the International EPD System, the tool owner may use the approved version of the tool to generate EPDs within the verified scope of the tool.
All EPDs generated using the tool must comply with the applicable PCR, programme instructions, approved calculation methodologies, and digital format requirements.
Step 5: Publish EPDs in the IES
For the publication of EPDs in digital format, the tool owner must complete the production API access process and accept the applicable terms and conditions prior to receiving the required API credentials.
Upon completion of these requirements, EPDs generated using the tool may be submitted for publication in the International EPD System in accordance with the applicable publication requirements and programme instructions.
Step 6: Further applications
Further applications of the tool through downstream API, please contact the Secretariat.
Step 7: Maintenance
The compliance of the tool must be maintained through periodic verification activities, including annual verification, renewal, and the management of controlled updates.
The tool owner must notify the International EPD System and the tool verifier of any changes that may affect the tool’s verified scope, calculation methodologies, datasets, functionality, governance, or EPD outputs. Where such changes affect compliance with the verified scope or applicable requirements, the tool owner must initiate re-verification of the affected components of the tool.
Note: The tool owner is responsible to track updates in the PCR and therefore initiate updateon the tool when a newer version of the PCR/ c-PCR is released
Step 1: Express interest
The tool owner completes and submits the initial Expression of Interest form, providing key information about the tool, including details of the organisation, contact person, scope, applicable product category rules (PCR), and intended use.
Step 2: Conduct a third-party verification of the tool
The tool owner engages an independent pre-verified tool verifier and provides the information required to initiate the verification process.
To complete the verification process, the tool owner, with support from the tool developer, prepares and submits all required tool documentation, in accordance with GPI Section 8.6.8. The documentation should demonstrate that the tool is complete, functions as intended, and produces compliant EPD outputs.
The tool owner is required to inform us of the designated tool verifier when an agreement has been reached.
Step 3: Publish the tool in the International EPD System
The tool owner submits the Tool Verification Report, pilot EPD(s), and all required supporting documentation to the International EPD System in accordance with the requirements set out in GPI Section 8.6.8.
The Secretariat of the International EPD System reviews the submitted documentation to assess compliance with the applicable requirements and may request additional information, clarifications, or a demonstration of the tool as part of the review process.
Upon approval by the Secretariat, the tool and the verified version thereof are registered and enabled for use within the EPD Portal.
Step 4: Develop an EPD
Following the publication of the tool in the International EPD System, the tool owner may use the approved version of the tool to generate EPDs within the verified scope of the tool.
All EPDs generated using the tool must comply with the applicable PCR, programme instructions, approved calculation methodologies, and digital format requirements.
Step 5: Simplified EPD verification
The tool owner must submit each EPD for simplified third-party verification in accordance with the approved tool verification approach.
Step 6: Publish EPDs in the IES
Upon successful completion of the verification process, the EPD may be submitted for publication in the International EPD System in either PDF or digital format, subject to the applicable publication requirements and programme instructions.
Step 7: Further applications
Published digital EPD data may be further utilised for additional applications through downstream services, integrations, and other digital solutions, including environmental data platforms.
Step 8: Maintenance
The compliance of the tool must be maintained through renewal, and the management of controlled updates.
The tool owner must notify the International EPD System and the tool verifier of any changes that may affect the tool’s verified scope, calculation methodologies, datasets, functionality, governance, or EPD outputs. Where such changes affect compliance with the verified scope or applicable requirements, the tool owner must initiate re-verification of the affected components of the tool.
Note: The tool owner is responsible to track updates in the PCR and therefore initiate updateon the tool when a newer version of the PCR/ c-PCR is released
Ready to get started?
Different workflows are applied for tool development, while all tools developed in the International EPD System go through a formal application process and third-party verification conducted by tool verifiers.
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