What’s the Big Deal About an EPD?  

Think of an EPD like a nutrition label, but for a product’s environmental footprint. It’s a third-party-verified document that lays out everything—from raw material extraction to production, transport, and even end-of-life disposal. Instead of vague sustainability claims, EPDs provide solid data, allowing for side-by-side material comparisons and informed decision-making.

Why Decospan’s EPD for Shinnoki Matters

This announcement is a significant development for several reasons:
Easier Sustainability Certifications: For projects working toward LEED, WELL, or other green building certifications, the Shinnoki EPD provides the verified environmental data needed to earn points.
More Transparency, Less Greenwashing: EPDs offer a full breakdown of a product’s lifecycle impact, moving beyond marketing claims.
Compliance with Evolving Regulations: As building codes tighten, EPDs help ensure sustainability requirements are met effortlessly.
Better Material Choices: The Shinnoki EPD provides hard data for comparing environmental impacts against other materials, facilitating responsible selection.

What About Indoor Air Quality?

Sustainability isn’t just about sourcing—it’s also about indoor air quality. The Shinnoki EPD includes emissions data on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants, ensuring that wood panels do not compromise indoor air quality. Many traditional panels contain adhesives and coatings that release formaldehyde, but reviewing an EPD helps prioritize options with low or no VOCs, contributing to healthier indoor spaces. 

Does an EPD Mean FSC Certification? 

Not quite—but they complement each other. While an EPD doesn’t automatically mean a product is FSC-certified, it does provide insights into sourcing practices. Many EPDs, including Decospan’s, indicate whether the wood comes from responsibly managed forests. If FSC-certified products are a priority for a project, the Shinnoki EPD serves as an additional verification tool.

How to Use EPDs When Specifying Wood Panels 

When comparing EPDs, key factors to consider include:
Global Warming Potential (GWP): The carbon emissions associated with the product lifecycle.
Embodied Energy: The total energy demand from production to disposal.
Material Sourcing: Whether the wood is sustainably harvested or certified.
End-of-Life Impact: The potential for recycling or biodegradability.

How Shinnoki’s EPD Supports Sustainability Certifications 

The release of this EPD isn’t just about transparency—it also benefits projects pursuing green building certifications. Here’s where it makes an impact:
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): Contributes to Materials and Resources credits in LEED v4 and v4.1.
WELL Building Standard: Supports healthier indoor environments through transparency on air quality impacts.
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method): Recognized for material sustainability evaluations.
Living Building Challenge (LBC): Supports material transparency and embodied carbon assessments.
Green Globes: Awards points for verified EPDs in sustainable construction.
DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council): Measures lifecycle impact for better material decision-making.