DRYWALL FINISHING COUNCIL
Transparency, PCRs, LCA and EPDs
March 2013
UL and the UL logo are trademarks of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. © 2011. No portion of this document may be copied or transmitted without the written permission of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Introduction to UL Environment
…safety is evolving and so is UL.
THE EXPANDING WORLD OF UL
product safety market access regulations
claims validations sustainability certifications environmental product declarations
training and education technical expertise personal certification
security, wireless interoperability, EMC energy efficiency, performance
human safety product safety
Product Safety
Environment
Knowledge
Services
Verification Services
Life & Health
Life Safety & Security
Building Materials
Power & Controls
Energy
High Tech
Appliances/HVAC
Lighting
Chemicals
Wire & Cable
Medical
Food & Water
BUSINESSES SERVICES INDUSTRIES
Quick Preface
Acronym Library
ISO – International Organization for Standards
LCA – Life Cycle Assessment
SPC – Sustainable Product Certification
PCR – Product Category Rule
EPD – Environmental Product Declaration
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UL and the UL logo are trademarks of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. © 2011. No portion of this document may be copied or transmitted without the written permission of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
The ISO 14020 series (14020, 14021, 14024, and 14025) is designed to
assist businesses with measuring and communicating their efforts to
minimize their environmental impacts.
Type I multi-attribute label developed by a third party
Type II Self declared label developed by the producer
Type III LCA based communication tool for environmental
performance data
Types of Labels
UL and the UL logo are trademarks of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. © 2011. No portion of this document may be copied or transmitted without the written permission of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Relationships Pyramid
Certification
Standards
Multi-Attribute
Single Attribute
EcoLabels Type I & Type III Labels
Assessment against
the Standard
Formalized process
of combining
multiple attributes
Combined selection
of single attributes
Singular focus
Relationships Pyramid
Certification
Standards
Multi-Attribute
Single Attribute
EcoLabels Type I & Type III Labels
Assessment against
the Standard
Formalized process
of combining
multiple attributes
Combined selection
of single attributes
Singular focus
New Mindset
Codes and Standards
Executive Order 13514
FTC’s Green Guidelines
SEC Directives
Waxman-Markey Climate and Energy Bill
California AB 19
Eco-Labeling Act
Erurope (ex: Grenelle Law in France, etc.)
Asia (Japanese carbon footprint, etc.)
THE DEMAND DRIVERS
Environmental Product Declaration: Macro Trends
Architects, designers and
intuitional purchasers are
demanding transparent life cycle
based product environmental
impact information.
Global green building rating
systems influencing demand for
EPDs through credit incentives
Government purchasing mandates
require disclosure of product life
cycle impacts
Consumer and electronics goods
consortiums developing life cycle
based disclosure tools requiring
EPDs
Global need to integrate life cycle
based sustainability information
into design tools such as BIM.
Source: POC_CCN data pulled through Hyperion
16
Life Cycle Assessment
The Product Life Cycle Stages
Page 4
EPDs disclose multiple environmental issues
Global Warming
Acidification
Eutrophication
Photochemical Smog
Resource Depletion
Land Use
Human Health
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Life Cycle Assessments …but also the communication of environmental attributes.
A comprehensive system assessment by function that allows for the
presentation of tradeoffs across multiple environmental issues for
different elements in the value chain that supports not only the
research & development of products and risk management…
What is an EPD?
A 3rd party verified, internationally recognized, single comprehensive disclosure of a product’s environmental impacts based on a life cycle assessment.
Environmental Product Declaration
Environmental Impact Reporting A Need for Brevity and Consistency
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Environmental Facts Functional unit: 1 yd3 of 3,000 psi concrete
Primary Energy Demand [BTU] 9.3x105
Renewable [BTU] 5.9x104
Non-Renewable [BTU] 8.7x105
Global Warming Potential [lb CO2 eq] 360
Acidification Potential [lb H+ eq] 40
Eutrophication Potential [lb N eq] 0.39
Ozone Depletion Potential [lb CFC-11 eq] 2.4x10-10
Smog Potential [lb O3 eq] 21
Boundaries: Cradle-to-Gate
Company: XYZ Concrete
Total Recycled Content: 30%
Fly Ash: 20%
Slag: 10%
Image source: adapted from www.turbosquid.com
Meet the EPD
UL and the UL logo are trademarks of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. © 2011. No portion of this document may be copied or transmitted without the written permission of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Meet the UL Environment Transparency Brief : a summary of the information that architects and designers have told us that they care about most.
UL and the UL logo are trademarks of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. © 2011. No portion of this document may be copied or transmitted without the written permission of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Characteristics of an EPD
Objective, based on internationally-accepted and valid methods for life cycle assessment (LCA) to identify and focus on the most significant environmental aspects leading towards continuous improvement.
Credible, critically reviewed, approved and maintained by an independent verifier.
Neutral, absent of claims of environmental preference, valuations and predetermined environmental performance levels.
Comparable, ‘Product-Specific Requirements’ (PCRs) for selected product groups and services, describe harmonized LCA-rules for data collection, methodology, calculations and presentation of the results.
Open to all products and services, through its neutral character and non-selectivity, it has the widest range of applicability to all products and services.
Open to all interested parties, through easy access on the Internet.
Environmental impact-oriented, through the possibility to include assessments of potential environmental impacts.
Instructive, explain terms, definitions and concepts, as well as general information on relevant environment issues to help in the interpretation of the information.
Utility of EPDs
Management tool for manufacturers, purchasers, the procurement and purchases
functions of an organization, for product designers and for marketing strategy - by
monitoring the product data and applying the outcomes to improve environmental
performance.
Communication tool among manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, purchasers,
contractors, and users by functioning as a source of environment information, while
enhancing environmental awareness and interacting with internal environmental
concerns.
Evaluation/Assessment tool for professionals, procurement, contractors and buyers -
by using the EPD for making decision and for bench-marking environmental information.
Procurement tool for government, commercial and institutional purchasers.
Action tool for consumers and consumer groups by disseminating environmental
information and product criteria, making comments, and asking for disclosure of
consumer concerns.
WITHOUT environmental product declarations comparing life cycle assessments you would be comparing…
…because there are no instructions and guidelines on how to complete the assessment.
…but WITH environmental product declarations, comparing life cycle assessments is like comparing…
…because the instructions & guidelines allow for comparable assessments of
products in the same category
Product Category Rule
PRODUCT CATEGORY RULE (PCR)
Formal Definition
Product category rules,
shortened PCR, is a form of
guidance and rules for the
collection of data and other
information, how the
calculations should be done to
transfer the data to the climate
impact and how this
information should be
presented
Simple Definition
Rules that define how to
conduct an LCA for a specific
product category (i.e.; doors)
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Source: POC_CCN data pulled through Hyperion
PCRs for Dry Wall Finishing
Technical Chemical Products for the Building
and Construction Industry
Dated January 2012
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Source: POC_CCN data pulled through Hyperion
Technical Chemical Products for the Building &
Construction Industry
• Building Fabric
• Binder
• Adhesive
• Membrane
• Sealant
• Smoothing and Spackling Compound
• Surface Treatment
• Mortar
What if there is no Product Category Rule for our
product?
Publication of the approved PCR
Panel review of the finalized draft PCR
(Revise PCR as needed)
Draft PCR for public comment
(Revise PCR as needed)
PCR Drafting PCR Search and
Proposal
ULE Team Stakeholders & Interested Parties
1-2 weeks
3 to 6 weeks
2 to 4 weeks
1 week
PCR Development Basic Process
Responsible Party
Committee
Product Category Rule In addition to ISO 14044, it is a set of specific rules, requirements and guidelines for developing EPDs
Timeline for development
6 to 8 weeks
*The PCR is the cornerstone for the EPD, establishing the consistency needed from LCA through final EPD.* UL and the UL logo are trademarks of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. © 2011. No portion of this document may be copied or transmitted without the written permission of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Creating an EPD
Register EPD
EPD Verification
Create the EPD
Verify LCA Conduct the LCA
*Create new PCR
Available PCR
Search
UL Client
7)Register EPD
6)EPD Verification
5)Create the EPD
4)Verify LCA
3)Conduct the LCA
2)*Create the PCR
1)Available PCR
Search
= UL Responsibility = Client Responsibility
= Joint/Mixed Responsibility
1 week
2-5 months
1-3 months
2 weeks
2-4 weeks
1-2 weeks
1 week
Example Process/Timeline from start to finish start
UL Environment Basic EPD Process & Timeline
Industry Wide EPD vs. Product Specific
Contact Information Wendy Hennessy (847)802-0257
Thank You!
