What is the validity period of an EPD Process Certificate under the latest GPI 5.0 update?

With the introduction of GPI 5.0.0, the validity period of an EPD Process Certificate is set at one year. This may seem like a significant change compared to the previous GPI 4, which mentioned a five-year period, but the new approach actually builds on the principles already established in GPI 4. 

GPI 4 (Section 7.5.5) introduced the requirement for "internal assurance activity" of the EPD process. GPI 5.0.0 (Section 8.5.4) formalizes this process by introducing an annual audit to maintain the certificate’s validity. This annual audit is less comprehensive than a full re-certification process and is designed to minimize administrative burdens and costs while ensuring the continued quality of the EPD process. The focus of the annual audit is on reviewing updates to the EPD process, assessing internal verification activities, and examining a sample of EPDs to verify ongoing compliance.

Although the EPD process certificate is valid for one year, the annual audit allows for continuous certification without necessitating a full re-certification annually, unless opted for by the accredited certification body.