This recorded webinar explores how EU regulation is driving the next evolution of EPDs: from static PDF documents to interoperable, machine‑readable datasets that support decarbonisation, compliance, and digital product ecosystems. We unpacked what these developments mean for manufacturers and specifiers globally, and how organisations can position themselves to stay aligned, competitive, and future‑ready as global expectations converge around European policy leadership.
We heard from experts Sebastiaan Stiller, CEO of EPD International; Jane Anderson, Director of ConstructionLCA and approved Australasian EPD verifier; and Kelly Taylor, CEO of EPD Australia.
Sebastiaan explained the hierarchy of regulations framework with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which is the framework legislation, and the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) – which is the sector specific regulation to provide for new environmental data for construction products. Under CPR 2024, EPDs will become Declaration of Performance and Conformity (DoPCs) in 27 European countries (the regulated or harmonised zone). Requirements will be phased in with cement & concrete leading in ~2027, ramping up through 2030, with full coverage across all construction products by 2040.
EPD International will be launching a new validation service to meet these DoPC requirements. Key takeaways include getting started on your environmental data today, as EPDs are strategic assets that support compliance, sustainability, transparency and global trade beyond compliance requirements.
Jane, who is also a verifier for EPD Australasia and several other EPD Programmes across Europe, outlined that the CPR will, in effect, make EPDs mandatory. She also explained how Digital Product Passports (DPPs) fit into the overall picture. Several benefits of the CPR and DPPs were covered, including that it will be easier to develop digital tools for product selection based on environmental performance.
Jane concluded by referring people to the ECO Platform CPR series of webinars available for free viewing at https://www.eco-platform.org/eco-webinars.html
The session finished with a live Q&A, with a dozen questions addressed from an engaged audience.
Thank you to everyone who joined us live. If you missed the session, a recording of the webinar is now available to watch at your convenience. You can also download the presentation slides.
Sebastiaan is the CEO of EPD International AB, the owner of the International EPD System (www.environdec.com), and is a board member of ECO Platform. EPD International AB is the originator of the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and today one of the world’s largest, most well-established, and well-governed EPD programme operators. Sebastiaan is a senior sustainability professional with more than 20 years of experience, bringing an international background from both corporate and consulting roles across the Environmental Services, Energy and Infrastructure, and Manufacturing sectors. He holds an MBA in Sustainability Management from Leuphana University.
Jane is a leading expert on embodied carbon and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) in the construction sector, and works as a verifier for a number of EPD programmes internationally. She co-chairs the Technical Working Group of ECO Platform, and is involved in sustainable construction standardisation efforts at product and building level internationally for the UK, where she also chairs the UK Mirror Committee for Sustainable Construction. She completed her PhD considering the role of EPD in embodied carbon reduction in 2023.
Kelly is the CEO of EPD Australasia Ltd, the official regional programme operator for the International EPD System in Australia and New Zealand. In this role, Kelly leads the strategic growth and operations of the organisation, driving the adoption of credible, independently verified EPDs to deliver transparent, verified environmental impact data across product life cycles. A Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP) with over 25 years of experience in environmental consulting, auditing, and certification, Kelly has experience in Environmental management systems (EMS), eco-label assessments, and the development and delivery of certification programmes for businesses, industry sectors, and the public sector.