Understanding EPDs In Architectural Materials
SUSTAINABILITY AND EPDs IN ARCHITECTURAL MATERIALS
Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. Architects and designers are under increasing pressure to make informed choices that prioritize the environment without sacrificing aesthetics. That’s where Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) come in. Understanding EPDs in architectural materials helps professionals evaluate the impact of materials, ensuring projects are not only visually stunning but also responsibly sourced and produced.
WHAT IS AN EPD, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is like a nutrition label for building materials. It provides verified, detailed data about a product’s environmental impact. EPDs follow global standards such as ISO 14025 and EN 15804, allowing for easy material comparisons.
WHAT DOES AN EPD INCLUDE?
EPDs provide a comprehensive overview of a material’s sustainability impact. They include details on raw material sourcing, energy and water use during manufacturing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste production, and end-of-life disposal. With this data, architects can confidently choose materials that align with sustainability goals and support certifications like LEED, WELL, and BREEAM.
WHAT IS A LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS (LCA)?
While EPDs focus on specific products, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) evaluates the entire environmental impact of a material, from production to disposal.
The four key stages of LCA include:
Raw Material Extraction – Assessing resource use and emissions.
Manufacturing & Processing – Measuring production efficiency.
Usage Phase – Understanding durability and maintenance needs.
End-of-Life – Evaluating recyclability and waste reduction.
LCA ensures materials contribute to a lower carbon footprint over a building’s entire lifespan.
HOW DO EPDs HELP WITH GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS?
If you’re aiming for a green building certification, EPDs in architectural materials can give you a major boost. These documents provide hard data that align with sustainability goals, making it easier to get credits and recognition. Here’s how they play a role in different certification programs.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, includes EPDs in its Building Product Disclosure and Optimization credits. It also awards extra points when multiple materials with verified EPDs are used in a project. This makes EPDs a powerful tool for architects who want to meet LEED requirements and increase their certification level.
The WELL Building Standard places a strong emphasis on materials transparency, making EPDs a valuable asset in WELL-certified projects. WELL focuses on how building materials impact human health, and having EPDs helps prove that selected materials are safe and sustainably sourced.
BREEAM, the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, also encourages the selection of materials with EPDs. This helps lower the overall environmental impact of a project by prioritizing materials that have been thoroughly assessed for sustainability.
Other major green certifications also recognize the value of EPDs. The Living Building Challenge is centered on regenerative and low-impact design, making EPD-backed materials a perfect fit. Green Globes supports environmentally responsible material choices, and several U.S. states have adopted the Buy Clean Act, which requires EPDs for government-funded projects. In Germany, the DGNB certification system also uses EPDs to measure the sustainability of building materials.
By choosing materials with EPDs in architectural materials, architects and designers can streamline the certification process and ensure their projects meet today’s highest sustainability standards.
ROBIN REIGI PRODUCTS WITH EPDs
At Robin Reigi Inc., we offer sustainable, innovative materials with verified EPDs in architectural materials. Some of our featured products include:
Shinnoki Wood Panels – Prefinished wood veneer panels that contribute to LEED, BREEAM, and WELL certifications.
Pleat Weave by Plyboo – Acoustic bamboo panels designed for sustainability and aesthetics.
Linear Sound by Plyboo – High-performance acoustic panels with a modern touch.
Louver by Plyboo – Elegant bamboo panels that enhance both form and function.
Futura by Plyboo – A sleek, sustainable panel system for contemporary spaces.
Linear Line by Plyboo – A visually striking acoustic solution made with sustainability in mind.
Futura Sound by Plyboo – Designed for optimal sound performance with an eco-friendly approach.
WHY CHOOSE MATERIALS WITH EPDs?
1. MAKE SMARTER CHOICES – EPDs help architects and designers select sustainable building materials with confidence.
2. EARN GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS – Using materials with EPDs in architectural materials supports LEED, WELL, and BREEAM compliance.
3. REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT – LCA ensures that materials contribute to a low-carbon future.
4. MEET CLIENT AND REGULATORY DEMANDS – Sustainability is now a requirement, not a preference. Using materials with EPDs future-proofs projects.
MAKING INFORMED CHOICES
At the end of the day, EPDs make it easier to choose materials that balance aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. As more manufacturers release EPDs for their wood products, the industry is moving toward a more transparent, responsible approach to material selection.
Sustainability isn’t going anywhere, and understanding EPDs is becoming an essential skill for architects and designers. Whether you’re sourcing veneer panels, MDF, or other engineered wood products, using EPDs as a guide will help you make better choices for both your projects and the planet.
