Why environmental product declarations matter for UK construction

Carbon reduction: The new focus in UK building standards

In today's construction landscape, carbon has become the defining metric for building performance. The UK's commitment to net zero carbon by 2050 has fundamentally transformed building regulations, with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) emerging as essential tools for documenting and reducing environmental impact.

Recent regulatory changes have established strict carbon limits for new buildings, calculated from cradle to grave across a 50-year lifecycle. These limits aren't static – they're designed to tighten every three years, creating an increasingly stringent framework that rewards sustainable building practices and penalises carbon-intensive solutions.

What exactly are EPDs?

Environmental Product Declarations are standardised documents that provide transparent, verified data about a product's environmental impact throughout its entire lifecycle. Following EN 15804 standards, EPDs assess impacts including carbon footprint, resource use, waste generation, and potential environmental toxicity.

For architects and specifiers, EPDs represent the most reliable method for comparing the environmental credentials of different building products. They eliminate greenwashing by requiring third-party verification and standardised calculation methodologies.

The practical benefits for project teams

Having access to manufacturer-specific EPDs delivers tangible advantages for construction projects:

1. Accurate lifecycle assessments instead of relying on generic database values
   
   
2. Improved BREEAM and LEED scores through documented environmental performance
   
   
3. Future-proofing designs against tightening carbon regulations
   
   
4. Substantiated green claims for planning applications and client requirements

For UK projects, the difference is particularly significant. Using default carbon values can dramatically overestimate environmental impact, whereas specific EPDs – like those now available from DUCO – demonstrate carbon reductions of 76% to 96% compared to these default values.

Beyond compliance: The commercial advantage

Beyond regulatory compliance, EPDs are increasingly becoming a commercial necessity. Clients – particularly in the public sector and among environmentally conscious private developers – are demanding robust environmental data. Projects with comprehensive EPD documentation can demonstrate genuine sustainability commitments rather than merely claiming green credentials.

This shift represents a fundamental change in how buildings are designed, specified, and valued. Environmental performance is no longer a secondary consideration but a primary design driver alongside aesthetics, function, and cost.

Accessing EPDs for your projects

For architects and specifiers working on UK and Ireland projects, accessing product-specific EPDs is now simpler than ever. Manufacturers like DUCO have invested significantly in developing comprehensive EPD documentation for their major product lines, with independent verification ensuring complete reliability.

The future of sustainable construction

As carbon limits continue to tighten, having access to products with validated EPDs will become increasingly valuable. The construction industry is moving decisively away from generic environmental claims toward precise, quantified performance data.

This transition represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While it demands more rigorous environmental assessment, it also rewards innovation and genuine sustainability commitment. Manufacturers who invest in minimising their products' environmental impact – and documenting this through EPDs – will increasingly find themselves at an advantage.

For the UK construction sector, this new emphasis on validated environmental performance isn't just about compliance – it's about creating better, more sustainable buildings that contribute meaningfully to our climate obligations while delivering enduring value for clients and occupants alike.

 

EPD verified and validated DUCO products

 

 

 

 

 

Contact us to receive the Environmental Product Declarations

One of our representatives will provide you with more information, tailored to your current projects.