Introduction to the default list

This is a list of the default environmental impact and inventory indicators, and impact assessment methods, to use in EPDs of the International EPD System following PCRs under GPI 5.X.X (any version number with 5 as the first digit).

Rules in a PCR may deviate from the default list, if such deviations have been justified and approved in the PCR development process.

The default list is regularly updated based on developments in LCA methods, practices, and standards, while ensuring the market stability of EPDs. In case of updates, the previous version of the default list is valid in parallel to the new version during a transition period of at least 90 days. Information about such transition periods is published here.

This is version 3.0 of the default list. It has adopted the core environmental impact indicators of EN 15804:2012+A2:2019/AC:2021 as mandatory indicators, with GWP-GHG as an additional mandatory impact indicator. Among the inventory indicators of EN 15804, the six indicators of use of primary energy are mandatory, while the remaining 11 inventory indicators are optional. Note that the default list is for non-construction products, and that all inventory indicators of EN 15804 remain mandatory for construction products.

To find corresponding methods available in your LCA software, such as SimaPro, LCA for Experts or openLCA, please see the documentation or contact your LCA software provider.

The reference for the characterisation factors (CF) for Version 3.0 of the default list, the "EN 15804 reference package" provided by JRC, was updated in February 2023. As of this update, the CFs are based on version 3.1 of the reference package for CFs used in the PEF framework (EF 3.1), instead of the previous version (EF 3.0). In this version of the default list (version 3.0), CFs based on EF3.1 shall be used unless JRC’s has made a later version available. When this happens, any transition periods will be published here.

Apart from the mandatory indicators specified here and in the applicable PCR, additional LCA-based environmental performance indicators may be declared in the EPD, if they are relevant for the product category, their inclusion is justified in the EPD, appropriate methods are used, and the results are verifiable. The additional indicators shall be separately declared from the mandatory indicators. If the additional indicators appear to the reader to display duplicate information, the EPD shall contain an explanation of the differences between the declared indicators.

Rules, guidance and clarifications on the indicators and their methods can be found further down. This includes additional requirements for GWP results to be compliant with ISO 14067.