EPD certification across entire product range
As part of the Unitrunk Group, Vantrunk is proud to announce that EPD certificates are now available across our entire product range! 🌍 This milestone underscores our commitment to sustainability, providing customers with transparent data to support greener construction.
What is an EPD?:
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a document that transparently reports the environmental impact of a product or material throughout its lifecycle. EPDs support carbon emission reduction targets by making it possible to compare the impacts of different materials and products to select the most sustainable option for buildings or infrastructure.
EPDs are standardised documents that provide detailed information about the environmental impacts of a product or material. These impacts are assessed according to specific Product Category Rules (PCRs), which ensure consistency and comparability across similar products. EPDs are designed to be transparent and do not include proprietary information, focusing instead on disclosing environmental data that is essential for stakeholders, including consumers, regulators, and industry professionals.
The Unitrunk Group has third party EPDs available for all product offerings. Third-party certified EPDs are the most widely recognised type of EPD, they are required by many regulations and certification schemes and accepted by almost all. As well as being third-party verified in compliance with ISO 14025, they are published by an EPD program operator and can be used for almost any purpose.
Key Uses of EPDs:
- Sustainability Assessments – EPDs help architects, engineers, and procurement professionals compare the environmental performance of different products.
- Green Building Certifications – EPDs contribute to credits in sustainability certification schemes like BREEAM, LEED, and HQE.
- Regulatory Compliance – Some governments and industries require EPDs to ensure sustainable procurement and construction practices.
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting – Companies use EPDs to support their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
- Supply Chain Transparency – EPDs allow businesses to make informed decisions about materials and suppliers, reducing overall environmental impact.
The nitty gritty
In an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), CO₂ per kg refers to the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions associated with the production, use, and disposal of one kilogram of a given product.
The GWP total (Global Warming Potential, total) represents the sum of all greenhouse gas emissions, including CO₂, methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and other gases, converted into CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e) over a specific time horizon, typically 100 years (GWP100). This value indicates the product’s total climate impact.
CO₂ per kg in GWP total provides a standardised measure of a product’s contribution to climate change, allowing for comparison across different materials and products.
A lower CO₂ per kg in the GWP total of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is generally better from an environmental perspective.
A lower value means the product has a smaller carbon footprint, contributing less to climate change over its lifecycle. This is beneficial for sustainability, regulatory compliance, and achieving carbon reduction targets.
However, when assessing environmental impact, it’s also important to consider:
- Total emissions over the product’s lifetime, not just per kg.
- Durability and efficiency—a product with a slightly higher GWP but a much longer lifespan may be more sustainable overall.
- End-of-life disposal and recyclability, which can influence overall environmental impact.
For businesses and consumers aiming to reduce emissions, choosing products with a lower GWP per kg is a good approach, but it should be considered alongside other environmental factors.
To access the EPD for any of our innovative cable management products, please get in touch via sales@vantrunk.com