How do I recognize an EPD conformat with ISO 14025 and/or EN 15804?

An EPD is a type III environmental declaration according to ISO 14025 and, for most construction products, EN 15804. However, on the market there are other documents that could be mistaken for being EPDs , but rather should be seen as self-declarations or the results from LCA studies not compliant with the EPD rules. Such documents are lacking some important characteristics of EPDs. 

Here are three important things to look for when reading a document claiming to be an EPD, with or without a reference to ISO 14025 or EN 15804: 

1. Reference to an EPD programme: According to ISO 14025 and EN 15804, the EPD shall refer to the EPD programme under which it has been registered. The EPD programme operator is responsible for making sure that its documentation fulfils the requirements in the standards. The programme operator has many duties to fulfil, and is intended to ensure transparency and credibility in the declarations. As the programme operator shall maintain a public register over all registered EPDs it is also easy to check the validity of the EPD by visiting the website of the program operator or by contacting the operator. 
2. Reference to product category rules (PCR): The EPD shall also refer the PCR that has been used for the EPD development. The programme operator is responsible for that the PCR is developed according to the ISO standard. The PCR document ensures that the EPDs within the same product category are developed and presented in the same way, including the LCA method. The programme operator shall maintain a record over the PCRs developed within the programme. 
3. Information on the verification: The EPD shall have information on the verification process. Most EPD programmes requires a third-party verification and the EPD shall contain information on the name of the verifier, which can either be a person or an organisation. The EPD shall also give information on the validity date.