EPDs for steel structures

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for steel structures play an important role in assessing their environmental impact. They enable a detailed assessment of the product’s life cycle, supporting informed investment decisions.

Type III environmental declarations provide an international standard for documenting a product’s environmental impact. For steel structures, an EPD provides information on CO₂ emissions, energy consumption and other aspects associated with steel production and use.

EPD certification for steel structures consists of several stages:

• Initial consultation to define the scope of the EPD, the product category and the declared unit;
• Collection of the necessary input and output data and their verification at the manufacturing plant;
• Life cycle assessment (LCA);
• Preparation of a draft Environmental Product Declaration;
• Issuance of a verified EPD together with a certificate.

What are the benefits of having an EPD for steel structures?

Having an EPD for steel structures offers numerous benefits, including identifying areas where energy efficiency can be improved and the carbon footprint reduced. It also helps meet building certification requirements, which are key to modern construction. In addition, having an EPD can increase market competitiveness by highlighting a company’s commitment to environmental protection.

Contact us to make your steel structures stand out with EPD certification. We also help prepare EPDs for sandwich panels, concrete, windows, doors, gates and construction chemicals.

What information is included in a Type III EPD for steel structures?

A Type III Environmental Product Declaration for steel structures contains a range of important information. Above all, it describes the product’s environmental impact throughout its life cycle—from raw material extraction, steel production and the manufacture of structural components, through construction, to possible dismantling and material recovery.

The declaration includes a set of indicators describing the product’s environmental impact across various categories, such as greenhouse gas emissions, aquatic and terrestrial eutrophication, and renewable and non-renewable primary energy consumption.

What data are needed for an EPD for steel structures?

A manufacturer applying for an EPD for steel structures must provide detailed data on the material composition of its products and the energy and raw materials consumed during production, as well as information on material sources. In addition, information on disposal and recycling methods at the end of the product’s life cycle is important.

Data quality and completeness are essential for obtaining reliable EPDs for concrete, as well as for steel structures and construction chemicals. Only accurate and complete information enables a precise assessment of the environmental impact of steel structures, which is essential for sustainable development.

EPDs for steel structures and sustainable construction

Steel structures have a significant environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. A life cycle assessment makes it possible to identify key areas where changes can be introduced to minimise negative impacts on ecosystems.

Reducing CO₂ emissions and optimising material consumption are key to making steel structures more environmentally friendly. Introducing advanced production technologies and managing resources efficiently can significantly reduce their carbon footprint.

Steel recycling and recovery play an important role in reducing the environmental impact of steel structures. Steel can be recycled repeatedly without losing its quality, making it a cornerstone of circular construction.

Please contact us to discuss EPD certification.