Measuring to make better decisions: the great data journey
To make more sustainable construction or renovation choices, professionals can turn to databases listing the environmental impacts of building materials. But before becoming an aid to decision-making, published data follows a path that depends as much on technical requirements as it does on political will.
Step 1:
Collection of product life cycle data
Étape 2:
Input into the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool and performance of calculations
Step 3:
Standardized and audited declaration (EPD)
Step 4:
The EPD is published in the database of a programme operator accessible to all
Step 5:
Construction and renovation professionals are able to make more sustainable choices
A wide range of data is collected for each stage in the product life cycle, including raw material extraction, raw material transport, manufacturing, distribution, installation, use, end-of-life and recycling. This data should be as specific and precise as possible.
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool is used to determine the environmental impact of the product over its entire life cycle. These calculated according to European or international standards. This establishes the product’s environmental profile.
The EPD is audited by an independent third party to ensure that the data is robust.
There are national operators such as INIES in France, IBU in Germany and EPD Norge in Norway, international operators such as EPD International,, or european operators such as Ecoportal. On these platforms, the data is public and can be compared.
Architectural and engineering firms can research product EPDs and carry out full LCAs of buildings. They can also use Building Information Modeling (BIM), which is linked to the data.
To make more sustainable construction or renovation choices, professionals can turn to databases listing the environmental impacts of building materials. But before becoming an aid to decision-making, published data follows a path that depends as much on technical requirements as it does on political will.
Step 1:
Collection of product life cycle data
A wide range of data is collected for each stage in the product life cycle, including raw material extraction, raw material transport, manufacturing, distribution, installation, use, end-of-life and recycling. This data should be as specific and precise as possible.
Step 2:
Input into the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool and performance of calculations
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool is used to determine the environmental impact of the product over its entire life cycle. These calculated according to European or international standards. This establishes the product’s environmental profile.
Step 3:
Standardized and audited declaration (EPD)
The EPD is audited by an independent third party to ensure that the data is robust.
Step 4:
the EPD is published in the database of a programme operator accessible to all
There are national operators such as INIES in France, IBU in Germany and EPD Norge in Norway, international operators such as EPD International,, or european operators such as Ecoportal. On these platforms, the data is public and can be compared.
Step 5:
Construction and renovation professionals are able to make more sustainable choices.
Architectural and engineering firms can research product EPDs and carry out full LCAs of buildings. They can also use Building Information Modeling (BIM), which is linked to the data.
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