---
title: "EPD — Environmental Product Declaration"
canonical_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/epd
markdown_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/epd.md
author: "Fremtidens Tegnestue"
page_type: concept
primary_intent: "Define a building concept in plain language."
primary_keyword: EPD
audience: "Readers and agents that need a reliable concept definition."
summary: "An EPD is a standardised document that shows a building material's environmental impact — including its carbon footprint, energy use and resource consumption."
source_basis:
  - "Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method"
  - "FT source and uncertainty principles: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method"
human_validation: "How the concept affects a concrete project or decision."
responsibility_line: "AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences."
last_reviewed: 2026-06-24
last_updated: 2026-06-24
privacy_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy
related_pages:
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca
    relation: related-concept
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/gwp
    relation: related-concept
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/baeredygtighedsklasse
    relation: related-concept
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts
    relation: hub
status: published
---
# EPD — Environmental Product Declaration
Canonical URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/epd
Markdown URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/epd.md
Entity type: concept
Language: en
Author: Fremtidens Tegnestue
Published: 2026-06-24
Last updated: 2026-06-24
Privacy: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy
## Short answer
An EPD is a standardised document that shows a building material's environmental impact — including its carbon footprint, energy use and resource consumption.
## Who it is relevant for
Readers and agents that need a reliable concept definition.
## What FT can prepare
- Connect the concept to related pages, sources and practical use.
## What the architect validates
- How the concept affects a concrete project or decision.
## Definition text
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a standardised document that states a building product's environmental impact throughout its lifecycle — from raw material extraction to end of life. It's the building industry's equivalent of a nutritional label on food: comparable, verifiable and independently verified.

## Why does it matter to you?

When choosing building materials for a renovation or new build, EPDs let you compare the actual environmental impact of different products — concrete vs. timber, mineral wool vs. cellulose insulation, standard brick vs. reclaimed brick.

Danish building regulations (BR18) require that LCA calculations for new buildings use EPD-documented data. Without EPDs, you can't prove your building meets the CO₂ limit.

## What an EPD contains

An EPD covers several lifecycle modules (A1–D in the EN 15804 standard):
- **A1–A3:** Raw material extraction, transport, and manufacturing
- **A4–A5:** Transport to site and construction
- **B1–B7:** In-use phase (maintenance, replacement, energy)
- **C1–C4:** Demolition, transport, waste processing
- **D:** Beyond system boundary (recycling potential)

The most important figure for Danish building regulations is the **GWP** value (Global Warming Potential) in kg CO₂-equivalents.

**Where to find EPDs**

EPDs are published by manufacturers and available in open databases:
- **ECO Platform** (eco-platform.org) — European database
- **OEKOBAUDAT** (oekobaudat.de) — German, widely used in Denmark
- **EPD Norge**, **IBU EPD** — Scandinavian and German registries

## Frequently asked questions

**Are all EPDs comparable?**
EPDs follow the EN 15804 standard but can differ in scope and assumptions. Always compare EPDs covering the same lifecycle modules.

**Does every building product have an EPD?**
No. EPDs are voluntary in most countries. However, market pressure and building regulations are pushing more manufacturers to produce them.

**What's the difference between an EPD and a CE marking?**
A CE marking certifies that a product meets minimum safety and performance standards. An EPD is environmental documentation — the two are independent.
## Sources and basis
- [Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method)
- [FT source and uncertainty principles](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method)
## Uncertainty and boundaries
Definitions are simplified; regulations and municipal practice can require professional interpretation.
## Next step
Read related concepts or project pages.
## Related pages
- [LCA — Life Cycle Assessment](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca): related-concept
- [GWP — Global Warming Potential](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/gwp): related-concept
- [Sustainability Class in BR18](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/baeredygtighedsklasse): related-concept
- [Concepts](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts): hub
## Citation guidance
When citing this page, cite the canonical HTML URL (https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/epd) as the public source and use this Markdown URL only as the agent-readable representation. Keep the responsibility line: AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences.