How can EPDs be used in building rating and assessment schemes (e.g. BREEAM or LEED)?

The interest for environmental declarations in building rating systems and certification schemes has increased in the last few years. This may be due to recognition of EPD benefits such as the life cycle approach, the transparent disclosure of LCA results in relevant impact categories and the independent verification.

LEED by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) is one of the schemes that have come the furthest in giving benefits for projects where EPDs are available to encourage the use of products with life-cycle information. In LEED v4 introduced in November 2013, two "points" are possible for projects that have product-specific declarations such as EPDs available and that demonstrates an impact reduction compared to an industry average. More information is available on the USGBC site: http://www.usgbc.org/credits/new-construction-core-and-shell-schools-new-construction-retail-new-construction-healthca-22 

BREEAM has several national implementations where the requirements are somewhat different. Normally, only pre-approved national databases of LCA information are accepted. Please contact your local BREEAM national scheme operator for more information: http://www.breeam.org/ 

There are also other national and international building rating and assessment schemes that may or may not accept EPDs as part of their scope. 

The International EPD System is based on ISO 14025 (environmental declarations) and EN 15804 for applicable EPDs and PCRs. As a founding member of ECO Platform, the system works on harmonisation efforts for EPDs for construction products across Europe. The International EPD System is allowed to give the right to use the ECO Platform logotype on EN 15804-compliant EPDs for construction products.