What can be declared as additional environmental information?

The below answer reflects the rules as of version 5.0.0 of the General Programme Instructions. Rules in old versions of the GPI or in PCRs may deviate from the below, but it is recommended to follow the rules in GPI 5.0.0 unless these are in violation to requirements in the applicable PCR. 

An EPD may declare additional environmentally relevant information not derived from the LCA. Any additional environmental information declared shall be substantiated and verifiable, and be derived using appropriate methods and be specific, accurate, not misleading, and relevant to the specific product. Quantitative information is preferred over qualitative information. 

Examples of additional environmental information that may be relevant to declare:

• the release of dangerous substances into indoor air, soil, and water during the use stage,
• instructions for proper maintenance and service of the product, e.g., to minimise energy or water consumption or to improve the durability of the product, 
• instructions for proper use of the product, e.g., to minimise energy or water consumption or to improve the durability of the product, 
• information on key parts of the product that determine its durability, 
• information on recycling including, e.g., suitable procedures for recycling the entire product or selected parts and the potential environmental benefits gained, 
• information on a suitable method of reuse of the product (or parts of the products) and procedures for disposal as waste at the end of its life cycle, 
• information regarding disposal of the product, or inherent materials, and any other information considered necessary to minimise the product’s end-of-life impacts, and 
• a more detailed description of an organisation’s overall environmental work, in addition to the information listed in the Section 7.4.3 on information about EPD owner, such as: 
• the existence of any type of organised environmental activity, 
• information on where interested parties may find more details about the organisation’s environmental work. 

The PCR may specify rules on additional environmental information to be declared in the EPD. 

The additional environmental information section shall not include any claims (e.g., including certificates), related to the environmental performance indicators, or other LCA indicators, that do not comply with the LCA rules of this GPI or applicable PCR. For example, carbon-neutrality claims are not allowed, neither are claims on the reductions of GHG emissions, or reporting of certificates, based on a mass balance approach (MBA).