How EPDs Are Growing Around the World?

Now that you know what EPDs are and why they’re important, it’s time to look at the bigger picture. Around the world, EPDs are shaping policies, guiding strategies, and helping businesses stand out in a competitive market. In this second part of our series, we’ll explore the global EPD landscape, share real-world examples and case studies, and discuss trends and policies that are shaping the future of sustainable products.

How EPDs Benefit Companies

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are not just reporting tools, they offer tangible benefits for companies that want to stay ahead in sustainability. By providing verified, transparent data on a product’s environmental impact, EPDs help businesses align with green standards, meet regulatory requirements, and make smarter decisions across the product lifecycle. For companies targeting environmentally conscious clients or global markets, EPDs are a powerful way to demonstrate commitment to sustainability while driving innovation and efficiency.

Winning Green Certifications

EPDs play a crucial role in achieving widely recognized green certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, or compliance with Buy Clean policies. These certifications reward transparency and sustainability in building materials and products. Companies with EPD-backed products can gain higher points in certification systems, improving their chances of winning contracts and demonstrating environmental leadership. By leveraging EPDs, businesses can proactively meet certification requirements and stay competitive in regulated and green-conscious markets. 

Gaining Market Advantage

EPDs give companies a clear edge in procurement and customer preference. Organizations increasingly demand products with verified environmental performance, whether for ESG reporting or sustainable procurement policies. By providing standardized EPD data, companies improve their eligibility for tenders and contracts while enhancing brand reputation. Additionally, investors and stakeholders increasingly look for credible environmental disclosures, making EPDs a strategic tool for improving ESG ratings and fostering long-term business growth.

Driving Internal Innovation

Beyond external benefits, EPDs can inspire internal innovation. Companies can analyze lifecycle data to identify hotspots, optimize material use, or redesign products for lower environmental impact. For example, Forterra used EPD data to refine its product designs, reducing environmental impact while maintaining performance. By turning EPD insights into actionable improvements, businesses can achieve cost savings, increase efficiency, and strengthen sustainability credentials, making EPDs both a reporting tool and a driver of continuous improvement.

The Global EPD Landscape

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are increasingly recognized worldwide as a standard for measuring and communicating product sustainability. Adoption varies across regions, with Europe leading the way, North America steadily scaling, and Asia-Pacific markets emerging rapidly. Understanding these global trends is critical for companies looking to expand internationally, align with regulations, or tap into green procurement opportunities. EPDs not only reflect environmental performance but also serve as a tool for global competitiveness and sustainability leadership.

Regional Adoption

Europe dominates the global EPD landscape, accounting for more than 80% of published EPDs. Countries like Germany, Sweden, and Norway have long-standing systems that incentivize transparency and green certifications. North America is gradually catching up, with organizations increasingly integrating EPDs into sustainable procurement policies. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific markets, including China, Japan, and India, are rapidly adopting EPDs as awareness of environmental impact and regulatory pressure grows. Companies operating globally must navigate these regional differences to maximize the value of their EPDs.

Sector-Wise Trends

The construction sector remains the largest adopter of EPDs, driven by green building certifications such as LEED and BREEAM. Packaging is the next fastest-growing sector, responding to consumer demand for sustainable materials. Other sectors, including electronics, metals, and chemicals, are also beginning to publish EPDs, reflecting a broader push toward transparency and lifecycle-based environmental reporting. Sector-wise trends highlight where companies can leverage EPDs for strategic advantage, compliance, and market positioning.

Role of Registries

EPD registries play a central role in standardizing and verifying declarations. Platforms such as Environdec, EPD Norway, and IBU account for roughly 80% of all registered EPDs globally. These registries ensure data credibility, provide easy access for stakeholders, and support cross-sector comparisons. By leveraging registry platforms, companies can streamline EPD publication, enhance transparency, and strengthen trust with clients, regulators, and investors.

What Makes an EPD Strategic?

Not all EPDs are created equal. While some provide basic environmental information, the most strategic EPDs deliver actionable insights that influence product design, business strategy, and sustainability reporting. A well-structured EPD allows companies to measure and communicate environmental impact comprehensively, improve transparency across the value chain, and align with international standards. For mature businesses, strategic EPDs are a tool for decision-making, risk management, and gaining a competitive edge in green markets.

Lifecycle Scope

The scope of an EPD determines how much of a product’s environmental impact is covered. A cradle-to-gate EPD only includes impacts up to the factory gate, while a cradle-to-grave EPD accounts for the full lifecycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. Cradle-to-grave EPDs offer deeper insights into long-term environmental performance, enabling companies to identify hotspots, optimize processes, and reduce total lifecycle emissions. Choosing the right lifecycle scope is critical for companies aiming to use EPDs as a strategic sustainability tool.

ISO Compliance

Credibility is key when communicating environmental performance. EPDs aligned with ISO 14025 ensure that data is verified, standardized, and internationally recognized. Compliance with ISO standards enhances trust with customers, investors, and regulators, while also reducing the risk of greenwashing claims. For companies seeking to strengthen sustainability reporting and brand reputation, ISO-compliant EPDs provide a reliable foundation for transparent decision-making and market differentiation.

Scope 3 Emissions

Scope 3 emissions cover indirect impacts across a product’s value chain, including suppliers, transportation, and product use. Including Scope 3 in an EPD provides a complete picture of environmental performance, which is increasingly important for investors and ESG reporting. Companies using Scope 3 data can improve supply chain transparency, identify reduction opportunities, and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. Strategic EPDs that address Scope 3 help businesses align with net zero goals and meet growing stakeholder expectations.

Case Studies: How Companies Use EPDs

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are more than reports, they are practical tools that guide product innovation, sustainability strategy, and procurement decisions. Leading companies across construction and building materials are leveraging EPDs to improve transparency, align with green standards, and demonstrate environmental leadership. Examining real-world examples highlights how strategic use of EPDs drives both market advantage and operational improvement.

Kingspan (Insulation Products)

Kingspan’s EPDs cover cradle-to-grave lifecycle stages, providing a complete view of environmental impact from raw materials to end-of-life. The company integrates EPD data into BIM (Building Information Modeling), allowing architects and engineers to select products based on verified environmental performance. Additionally, Kingspan’s EPDs support public procurement, helping clients meet sustainability requirements and gain points under green building certifications like LEED and BREEAM.

Tongwei (Solar PV Modules)

Tongwei’s EPDs cover cradle-to-grave impacts of dual-glass PV modules, from raw materials to end-of-life recycling. Using SimaPro and Ecoinvent data, the EPD highlights key hotspots like cell production and aluminum frames. These verified results help developers meet green procurement rules, secure certification credits, and ensure transparent sustainability reporting.

Futura Line Industry (Tissue Paper)

Futura Line Industry publishes cradle-to-grave EPDs for tissue products like napkins, toilet rolls, and kitchen towels. Covering forestry, converting, packaging, and disposal, the data highlights raw material sourcing, energy efficiency, and packaging impacts. These verified EPDs support sustainable procurement, enhance stakeholder trust, and position tissue products as environmentally responsible choices.

Wienerberger (Clay Bricks)

Wienerberger includes end-of-life stages in its EPDs, ensuring full lifecycle transparency. These EPDs align with sustainable procurement policies, helping construction companies and developers make informed choices. By publishing comprehensive, verified EPDs, Wienerberger strengthens trust with stakeholders and positions its products as environmentally responsible solutions in competitive markets.

Global Policy and Regulatory Push

Governments and regulatory bodies around the world are increasingly encouraging the use of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to drive sustainability and reduce environmental impacts. EPDs are becoming a key tool in green procurement, lifecycle assessment, and ESG reporting. Understanding the global policy landscape helps companies navigate compliance requirements, align with international standards, and leverage sustainability as a strategic advantage.

EU and UK Leadership

Europe is at the forefront of the EPD and sustainability movement. Regulations like the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) emphasize environmental transparency and lifecycle-based reporting. Green procurement systems in the EU and UK increasingly require verified EPDs, helping companies demonstrate compliance, gain certifications, and participate in sustainable projects. European leadership sets a benchmark for global adoption and provides frameworks for standardized environmental reporting.

USA and Asia-Pacific Momentum

In the United States, initiatives such as Buy Clean California promote the use of low-impact building materials and verified EPDs in public construction projects.  Similarly, Asia-Pacific countries including Japan and South Korea are increasingly adopting EPD frameworks to support green building and sustainable manufacturing. These regions are scaling up adoption, signaling a growing recognition of EPDs as both compliance tools and strategic business assets.

China’s Advancing Role

China is accelerating EPD adoption as part of its broader green development and carbon neutrality goals. The country is integrating lifecycle-based reporting into green building standards and manufacturing regulations. With its strong presence in solar, construction, and heavy industries, China is positioning EPDs as a tool for both compliance and international competitiveness, supporting its pledge to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach neutrality by 2060.

Emerging Countries

Emerging markets such as India, UAE, and Brazil are showing early but increasing interest in EPDs and lifecycle-based sustainability reporting. While adoption is still in the initial stages, these countries are creating policies and frameworks to support green procurement, ESG disclosure, and environmental transparency. Companies operating globally should monitor these trends to stay ahead and leverage opportunities in expanding markets.

Why Businesses Should Act Now

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are no longer optional, they are becoming a strategic necessity for businesses looking to stay competitive and future-ready. Companies that adopt EPDs early can demonstrate environmental responsibility, meet regulatory requirements, and gain credibility with customers, investors, and partners. Acting now ensures businesses are well-positioned in a market that increasingly values sustainability, transparency, and low-carbon products.

Competitive Advantage

Early adopters of EPDs gain a clear procurement edge. Organizations and public projects are increasingly requiring verified environmental data for materials and products. By providing EPD-backed products, companies can qualify for green building certifications, participate in environmentally conscious tenders, and attract sustainability-focused clients. Leveraging EPDs strategically allows businesses to differentiate themselves in competitive markets.

Alignment with ESG and Net Zero

EPDs feed directly into ESG reporting and net zero strategies, providing verified data on product lifecycle emissions and environmental impact. Companies can use this data to track Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, support sustainability disclosures, and set measurable reduction targets. By integrating EPDs into ESG frameworks, businesses strengthen credibility with investors and stakeholders, while demonstrating commitment to climate action.

Preparing for the Future Market

Markets are shifting toward carbon-aware supply chains, and first movers in EPD adoption will be better positioned for long-term success. Companies using EPDs proactively can anticipate future regulatory requirements, optimize product design, and respond to growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products. Preparing now ensures businesses are not only compliant but also recognized as leaders in sustainable innovation.

Conclusion

Looking at policies, market trends, and company case studies, one thing is clear: EPDs are becoming a game-changer. They don’t just help with compliance, they open doors to new markets, boost ESG reporting, and prove a company’s commitment to sustainability. The businesses that move early will be the ones leading the way in transparency, innovation, and climate action.

At Growlity, we specialize in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), helping companies simplify the process, ensure compliance, and turn sustainability data into a true competitive advantage