ISO/FDIS 14025

ISO/TC 207/SC 3
Secretariat: SA
Date: 2025-12-182026-03-11
Environmental statements and programmes for products —
Environmental product declarations (EPDs)
Allégations environnementales et programmes pour les produits — Déclarations environnementales de
produits (DEP)
FDIS stage
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ii
Contents
Foreword . v
Introduction . vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 1
3.1 Terms related to the environment . 2
3.2 Terms related to EPDs and EPD programmes . 2
3.3 Terms related to life cycle . 5
3.4 Terms related to conformity assessment of EPDs . 8
3.5 Abbreviated terms . 9
4 Principles . 10
4.1 General. 10
4.2 Flexibility . 10
4.3 Comparability . 11
5 EPD programme requirements . 11
5.1 General. 11
5.2 General programme instructions (GPI) . 11
5.3 Responsibilities of EPD programme operator . 12
5.4 Involvement of interested parties . 13
5.5 Scope of the EPD programme, responsible parties and intended audiences . 14
5.6 Specific requirements and criteria for PCR development and application of LCA
methodology . 14
5.7 Quantification methodologies, data quality and reporting . 18
5.8 Reporting, format of EPDs and publication . 18
5.9 Changes or revisions to EPD programmes and EPDs . 19
6 General requirements applying to EPDs . 19
7 Specific requirements applying to EPDs in an EPD programme . 20
7.1 General. 20
7.2 EPD content . 20
7.3 Additional environmental or other sustainability-related information . 22
7.4 EPDs based on information modules . 24
7.5 Comparability of EPDs . 24
8 Requirements for EPD types . 26
8.1 General. 26
8.2 EPD types . 26
8.3 Prospective EPD types. 27
9 EPD programme requirements on PCR review and aspects of verification . 27
9.1 General. 27
9.2 Procedure for PCR review . 28
9.3 Procedure for independent verification of data declared in the EPD. 28
9.4 Procedure for verification of the EPD. 29
9.5 Procedure for independence and competencies of the PCR review panel members and
verifiers . 30
9.6 Procedure for data confidentiality . 30
9.7 EPD programme meeting this document . 31
10 Additional requirements for developing EPDs for business-to-consumer communication31
10.1 General. 31
iii
10.2 Provision of information . 31
10.3 Involvement of interested parties . 32
10.4 Verification . 32
Annex A (informative) EPD programme development and operation scheme . 33
Annex B (informative) Simplified examples illustrating the development of an EPD . 37
Annex C (informative) Harmonization of PCRs and EPD programmes for EPD comparability in
accordance with ISO/TS 14027 and ISO/TS 14029 . 40
Bibliography . 43

iv
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental management,
Subcommittee SC 3, Environmental labelling, in collaboration with the European Committee for
Standardization (CEN), in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN
(Vienna Agreement).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 14025:2006), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the title has been updated;
— introduction of ISO/TS 14027 and ISO/TS 14029 have been added as normative references;
— new preferred terminology for critical concepts together with has been introduced and several original
preferred terms beinghave been deprecated including “environmental label, ”, “environmental
declaration” and “Type III environmental declaration;”;
— some of the content from Clauses 4, 5, 6 and 7 has been removed and transferred to the revised ISO 14020;
— a description of the concept of “additional environmental or other sustainability-related information” and
how to include this type of information into an EPD has been added;
— Clause 8ISO/TS 14027 and ISO/TS 14029 have on requirements for EPD types has been added as
normative references;
v
— Annex C on the harmonization of PCRs and EPD programmes for EPD comparability in accordance with
ISO/TS 14027 and ISO/TS 14029 has been added;
— Clause 8 on requirements for EPD types has been added;
— EPD programme requirements on PCR review and aspects of verification to satisfy the demands of the
marketplace have been added;
— requirements for new EPD tools, in recognition of the growing reliance on such tools to automate
generation of EPDs, have been added.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
vi
Introduction
0.1 This document contains principles, requirements and guidance for environmental product declaration
(EPD) programmes and EPDs. EPDs provide quantified environmental information on the life cycle of a
product that can support comparisons between products fulfilling the same function. EPDs:
— are provided by one or more organizations;
— are based on independently verified life cycle assessment (LCA) data, life cycle inventory analysis (LCI)
data or information modules in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 and, where relevant and
available, additional environmental or other sustainability-related information;
— are developed using predetermined impact indicators and predetermined inventory indicators;
— are subject to the administration of a programme operator that acts objectively, avoiding any conflict of
interest (e.g. a company or group of companies, industrial sector or trade association, public authorities
or agencies, an independent scientific body, other organization).
0.2 EPDs are one type of environmental statement. The overall goals of environmental statements are to:
— communicate accurate information about environmental aspects or potential environmental impacts of
products;
— encourage the demand for and supply of products that cause less stress on the environment;
— stimulate market-driven continual environmental improvement in products;
— where relevant, support compliance with regulation.
0.3 An EPD is not in itself a comparative assertion and does not declare the environmental preferability of
a product.
0.4 EPD programmes following this document are required to ensure that both the supporting LCA data and
the resulting EPDs undergo independent verification, either internal or external to the responsible party. This
can, but does not necessarily, mean third-party verification except in the case of business-to-consumer EPDs,
in which case this document requires that EPD programmes specify that all verifications be carried out as
third-party verification.
0.5 Harmonization of general programme instructions (GPI) and particularly product category rules (PCR)
is encouraged between EPD programmes to be aligned with the principle of comparability (see 4.3). This
includes mutual recognition of rules with respect to PCR development, PCR review and verification
procedures, administrative procedures and EPD format. To help ensure comparability of EPDs, programme
operators are encouraged to work cooperatively to achieve harmonization of the programmes and PCRs and
to develop mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs).
To support harmonization, two complementary documents have been published: ISO/TS 14027 and ISO/TS
14029. These supporting documents describe principles and requirements for PCR development and MRA,
respectively, and are complementary to the related clauses in this document.
NOTE Practical guidance on harmonization of PCRs and EPD programmes in accordance with ISO/TS 14027 and
ISO/TS 14029 in conjunction with this document can be found in Annex C.
vii
0.6 The objective of this document is to harmonize the development and enhance the credibility of EPDs.
The benefits of applying this document are:
a) increased opportunities for purchasers, potential purchasers and users of products to make informed
comparisons of, and purchasing decisions related to, products;
b) to encourage improvement of the environmental performance of products;
c) to provide information for assessing the potential environmental impacts of products over their life cycle;
d) accurate and verified EPDs that are not misleading;
e) increased potential for market forces to stimulate environmental improvements in production processes
and products;
f) prevention or minimization of unwarranted EPDs and greenwashing;
g) reduction in marketplace confusion with other types of environmental statements and general
certification of products that fulfil environmental or other sustainability-related requirements.
0.7 This document is one of the documents developed by ISO/TC 207/SC 3 that provide principles,
requirements and guidance for different types of environmental statements about products. TheThese
documents include the following:
— ISO 14020, which provides common terms and definitions, principles and general requirements for all
environmental statements (e.g. self-declared environmental claims, ecolabels, EPDs and footprint
communications) and associated programmes that enable the communication of environmental aspects
and environmental impacts of products.
— ISO 14021, which provides principles, requirements and guidance for environmental statements in the
form of self-declared environmental claims.
— ISO 14024, which provides principles, requirements and guidance for environmental statements in the
form of ecolabels.
— ISO 14025 (this document), which provides principles, requirements and guidance for environmental
statements in the form of EPDs.
— ISO 14026, which provides principles, requirements and guidance for environmental statements in the
form of footprint communications.
— ISO/TS 14027, which provides principles, requirements and guidance for PCR that support the use of LCA
as a method to compile and evaluate information that is used as a basis for making environmental
statements.
— ISO/TS 14029, which provides principles, requirements and guidance for the mutual recognition of EPDs,
footprint communications and associated programmes.
viii
0.8 Environmental statement programme operators are encouraged to cooperate and harmonize with each
other, whenever relevant and applicable, to enhance the coherence of environmental statement programmes,
at regional, national, and international levels.
0.9 Figure 1 provides the existing structure of the documents on environmental statements developed by
ISO/TC 207/SC 3 in graphic form.

Figure 1— Structure of documents on environmental statements developed by ISO/TC 207/SC 3
0.10  This document requires the user to apply the requirements in ISO 14020. Those requirements refer to
the generic term “environmental statement”. When reading this document and ISO 14020 together, the
ix
generic term “environmental statement” in ISO 14020 can be interpreted as referring to the specific term
included in this document, i.e. “environmental product declaration (EPD)”.
0.11  EPDs developed in accordance with this document are a type of environmental statement based on
independently verified LCA data (see Clause 0.1). As such, neither self-declared environmental claims
developed under ISO 14021 nor ecolabels developed under ISO 14024 are considered EPDs or a type of EPD.
The original terminology referring to Types I, II and III has been removed from all three documents and is no
longer preferred.
x
Environmental statements and programmes for products —
Environmental product declarations (EPDs)
1 Scope
1.1 This document specifies principles and requirements and gives guidance on environmental product
declaration (EPD) programmes and their associated EPDs. This document specifies the use of ISO 14040 and
ISO 14044 on life cycle assessment (LCA) in the development of EPDs.
1.2 This document is applicable to EPD programmes and their associated EPDs that are intended to address
the potential environmental impacts and environmental aspects of products, and which can also include
related social and economic aspects in support of sustainable development.
NOTE 1 This document does not deal with social or economic LCA indicators.
NOTE 2 Related social and economic aspects of the products can be reported as additional sustainability-related
information, where relevant and available.
1.3 This document provides requirements and guidance for the communication of the potential
environmental impacts and environmental aspects of products to the intended audience of the EPD.
1.4 This document does not apply to sector-specific provisions, which are dealt with in other ISO
documents. It is intended that sector-specific provisions in other ISO documents related to EPDs are based on
and use the principles, requirements and guidance of this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 14020:2022, Environmental statements and programmes for products — Principles and general
requirements
ISO/TS 14027, Environmental labels and declarations — Development of product category rules
ISO/TS 14029, Environmental statements and programmes for products — Mutual recognition of environmental
product declarations (EPDs) and footprint communication programmes
ISO 14040, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework
ISO 14044, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Requirements and guidelines
ISO 14050, Environmental management — Vocabulary
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 14050 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/

3.1 Terms related to the environment
3.1.1
environment
surroundings in which an organization operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna,
humans and their interrelationships
Note 1 to entry: Surroundings can extend from within an organization to the local, regional and global system.
Note 2 to entry: Surroundings can be described in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems, climate or other characteristics of
an organization’s activities (including projects) or products (3.2.4) that interact or can interact with the environment.
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.1.2]
3.1.2
environmental aspect
element of an organization’s activities or products (3.2.4) that interacts or can interact with the environment
(3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Typically, environmental aspects can include emissions to air, discharges to water and soil, and waste,
which in turn can generate environmental and human health impacts such as global warming, smog, water pollution or
contaminated land.
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.1.3, modified — Reference to “soil” and “human” added and “arisings” deleted in
Note 1 to entry.]
3.1.3
environmental impact
change to the environment (3.1.1), whether adverse or beneficial, including possible consequences, wholly or
partially resulting from an organization’s environmental aspects (3.1.2)
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.1.4]
3.1.4
environmental performance
performance related to the management of environmental aspects (3.1.2)
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.1.5]
3.1.5
environmental information
subject matter of a qualitative or quantitative nature that is related to environmental conditions or
environmental performance (3.1.4) of a product (3.2.4)
3.1.6
sustainability-related information
subject matter of a qualitative or quantitative nature that is related to social or economic aspects that are
affected by environmental conditions or the environmental performance (3.1.4) of a product (3.2.4)
3.2 Terms related to EPDs and EPD programmes
3.2.1
environmental statement
DEPRECATED: environmental label
DEPRECATED: environmental declaration
information on one or more environmental aspect(s) (3.1.2) or environmental impact(s) (3.1.3) of a product
(3.2.4) intended to inform and influence the market of the product
Note 1 to entry: The environmental statement can represent a point in time or can cover a period of time.
Note 2 to entry: Types of environmental statement include, but are not limited to:
a) self-declared environmental claims;
b) ecolabels;
environmental product declarations (3.2.2EPDs (3.2.2);
c) );
c)d) footprint communications.
Note 3 to entry: An environmental statement can appear on a product or packaging as a label, a symbol, a logo, an
electronic product label or a machine-readable code (e.g. QR code and bar code). It can also be communicated in other
ways, e.g. in web-based product data or in an advertisement.
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.2.1, modified — simplifiedDeprecated term replaced. “intended to inform and
influence the intent, listmarket of deprecated terms changed,the product” replaced “which intends to inform
an intended audience and intends to influence the market of this product” in the definition. Note 3 to entry
revised and. Note 4 to entry removed.]
3.2.2
environmental product declaration
EPD
DEPRECATED: Type III environmental declaration
environmental statement (3.2.1) providing environmental data of a product (3.2.4) using predetermined impact
indicators (3.3.9) and predetermined inventory indicators (3.3.8(3.3.8)) resulting from an a life cycle assessment
(LCA) (3.3.2) and, where relevant and available, additional environmental information (3.1.5)
Note 1 to entry: The predetermined indicators address relevant potential environmental impacts (3.1.3) and aspects
(3.1.2), the results of those predetermined indicators are derived from an LCA using product category rules (PCR) (3.3.3).
Note 2 to entry: Principles and requirements for an LCA are given in ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
Note 3 to entry: EPDs can include quantitative and qualitative data.
Note 4 to entry: EPDs can include, where relevant and available, data related to additional sustainability-related
information (3.1.6).
Note 5 to entry: Requirements for PCRs are given in ISO/TS 14027.
Note 6 to entry: EPDs undergo an independent verification process (see Clause 9).
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.2.8, modified — iInIn the definition, the terminology regarding indicators has
been made more specific and reference has been added to “where relevant and available”.,”. Note 1 to entry
has been revised. and Note 4 to entry has been replaced.]
3.2.3
EPD programme
environmental product declaration programme
DEPRECATED: Type III environmental declaration programme
rules and procedures for providing an EPD (3.2.2)
Note 1 to entry: EPD programmes can be carried out at international, regional, national or sub-national levels.
Note 2 to entry: An EPD programme includes requirements for conformity assessment.
Note 3 to entry: For EPD programmes, the programme operator (3.2.8) is typically a party that is external to the
responsible party (3.2.11).
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.3.1, modified — “environmental statement” replaced by “EPD programme” in
the term and definition. Notes 2, 4 and 5 to entry deleted. New Note 3 to entry added.]
3.2.4
product
any goods or service
[SOURCE: ISO 14050:2020, 3.5.12]
3.2.5
product category
group of products (3.2.4) that can fulfil equivalent functions
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.2.12]
3.2.6
intended audience
person or organization identified by the responsible party (3.2.11) as being the one that relies on the
environmental product declaration (EPD) (3.2.2statement (3.2.1)) to make decisions
Note 1 to entry: The intended audience can be a client, purchaser or potential purchaser, investor, consumer (3.2.10),
responsible party, programme operator (3.2.8), regulators, financial community, general public or other interested parties
(3.2.7), such as local communities, governmental or non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.2.14], modified — Reference to “environmental statement” replaced with
“environmental product declaration (EPD)” in the definition.]
3.2.7
interested party
person or organization that can affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by an environmental
product declaration (EPD) (3.2.2statement (3.2.1))
Note 1 to entry: To “perceive itself to be affected” means the interested party has made its perception known to the
programme operator (3.2.8).
Note 2 to entry: The interested parties for EPD programmes (3.2.3) can include, but are not limited to, material suppliers,
manufacturers, trade associations, purchasers, users, consumers (3.2.10), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), public
agencies and, when relevant, certification bodies.
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.2.15, modified — Reference to “environmental statement” replaced with
“environmental product declaration (EPD)” in the definition and reference to “environmental statement
programmes” replaced by “EPD programmes” in Note 2 to entry.]
3.2.8
programme operator
person or organization responsible for developing and maintaining an environmental product declaration
(EPD) programme (3.2.3)
Note 1 to entry: For EPDs (3.2.2), the programme operator is typically a party that is external to the responsible party
(3.2.11).
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.3.3, modified — Reference to “environmental statement programme” replaced
with “EPD programme” in the definition. Note 1 to entry revised.]
3.2.9
general programme instructions
GPI
guidelines for the operation of an environmental product declaration (EPD) programme (3.2.3)
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 14029:2022, 3.4, modified — Reference to “footprint communication programme” deleted
from the definition.]
3.2.10
consumer
individual member of the general public purchasing or using products (3.2.4) and property for private
purposes
[SOURCE: ISO 14050:2020, 3.5.17]
3.2.11
responsible party
claimant
person or organization responsible for the provision of the environmental product declaration (EPD) (3.2.2)
Note 1 to entry: The supplier or manufacturer of the product (3.2.4) usually is the responsible party.
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.2.13, modified — “environmental statement” replaced with “EPD” in the
definition. Note 1 to entry revised.]
3.2.12
EPD tool
environmental product declaration tool
calculation tool specifically developed to simplify the life cycle assessment (LCA) (3.3.2) calculation procedures
in order to generate an EPD (3.2.2) based on product category rules (PCR) (3.3.3)
Note 1 to entry: Verification (3.4.5) of an EPD tool can lead to a more simplified and streamlined EPD verification (3.4.5)
process.
3.2.13
explanatory information
supporting information
information that is given to enable the understanding and describe the limits of an environmental product
declaration (EPD) (3.2.2EPD (3.2.2) )
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.2.5, modified — the preferability of the terms made equivalent. “Environmental
statement” replaced with “EDP” in the definition.]
3.3 Terms related to life cycle
3.3.1
life cycle
consecutive and interlinked stages, from raw material acquisition or generation from natural resources to
final disposal
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006/Amd 2:2020, 3.1]
3.3.2
life cycle assessment
LCA
compilation and evaluation of the inputs (3.3.14), outputs (3.3.15) and the potential environmental impacts
(3.1.3) of a product system throughout its life cycle (3.3.1)
Note 1 to entry: LCA addresses potential environmental impacts, but does not predict absolute or precise environmental
impacts due to:
a) the relative expression of potential environmental impacts to a reference unit;
b) the integration of environmental data over space and time;
c) the inherent uncertainty in modelling of environmental impacts, and;
d) the fact that some possible environmental impacts are clearly future impacts.
Note 2 to entry: The “potential environmental impacts” are relative expressions, as they are related to the functional unit
(3.3.6) or declared unit (3.3.5) of a product system.
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006, 3.2, modified –— Notes 1 and 2 to entry added].]
3.3.3
product category rules
PCR
set of specific rules, requirements and guidelines for developing environmental product declarations (EPDs)
(3.2.2) based on life cycle assessment (LCA) (3.3.2) for one or more product categories (3.2.5)
[SOURCE: ISO 14020:2022, 3.4.3, modified — Reference to “statements” replaced by “EPDs”.]
3.3.4
information module
compilation of data to be used as a basis for an environmental product declaration (EPD) (3.2.2), covering a
unit process or a combination of unit processes that are part of the life cycle (3.3.1) of a product (3.2.4)
3.3.5
declared unit
quantity of a product (3.2.4) for use as a reference unit in an environmental product declaration (EPD) (3.2.2)
based on life cycle assessment (LCA) (3.3.2), for the expression of environmental information (3.1.5) needed in
information modules (3.3.4)
EXAMPLE Mass (kilogram or metric tonne), volume (cubic metre).
Note 1 to entry: The declared unit is used where the function and the reference scenario for the full life cycle (3.3.1)
cannot be stated.
3.3.6
functional unit
quantified performance of a product system for use as a reference unit
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006, 3.20]
3.3.7
comparative assertion
environmental statement (3.2.1) regarding the superiority or equivalence of one product (3.2.4) versus a
competing product that performs the same function
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006, 3.6, modified — Reference to “environmental claim” replaced by “environmental
statement”.]
3.3.8
predetermined inventory indicator
indicator that is derived from life cycle inventory analysis (LCI) (3.3.12) for reporting life cycle assessment (LCA)
(3.3.2) data as identified in the product category rules (PCR) (3.3.3)
EXAMPLE LCI results that are elementary flows such as biogenic carbon, non-renewable primary energy, renewable
primary energy, non-hazardous waste, hazardous waste.
3.3.9
predetermined impact indicator
impact category indicator (3.3.11) that is derived from life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) (3.3.13) for reporting
life cycle assessment (LCA) (3.3.2) data as identified in the product category rules (PCR) (3.3.3)
3.3.10
impact category
class representing environmental issues of concern to which life cycle inventory analysis results may be
assigned
EXAMPLE Climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, photo-oxidant formation, acidification, eutrophication,
human toxicity, eco-toxicity.
Note 1 to entry: Examples of impact categories are described in ISO/TR 14047.
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006, 3.39, modified — Example and Note 1 to entry added.]
3.3.11
impact category indicator
quantifiable representation of an impact category (3.3.10)
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006, 3.40, modified — Note 1 to entry deleted.]
3.3.12
life cycle inventory analysis
LCI
phase of life cycle assessment (LCA) (3.3.2) involving the compilation and quantification of inputs (3.3.14) and
outputs (3.3.15) for a product (3.2.4) throughout its life cycle (3.3.1)
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006, 3.3]
3.3.13
life cycle impact assessment
LCIA
phase of LCA (3.3.2) aimed at understanding and evaluating the magnitude and significance of the potential
environmental impacts (3.1.3) for a product system throughout the life cycle (3.3.1) of the product (3.2.4)
Note 1 to entry: LCIA results are relative expressions and do not predict impacts on category endpointsend points, the
exceeding of thresholds, safety margins or risks.
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006, 3.4, modified –— Note 1 to entry added.]
3.3.14
input
product (3.2.4), material or energy flow that enters a unit process
Note 1 to entry: Products and materials include raw materials, intermediate products and co-products.
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006, 3.21]
3.3.15
output
product (3.2.4), material or energy flow that leaves a unit process
Note 1 to entry: Products and materials include raw materials, intermediate products, co-products and releases.
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006, 3.25]
3.3.16
system boundary
boundary based on a set of criteria specifying which unit processes are part of the system under study
Note 1 to entry: In this document, “system under study” refers to product system.
[SOURCE: ISO 14044:2006/Amd 2:2020, 3.32]
3.3.17
chain of custody
process by which inputs and outputs and associated information are transferred, monitored and controlled as
they move through each step in the relevant supply chain
Note 1 to entry: For definitions of supply chain, input and output, see ISO 22095:2020, 3.2.1, 3.2.2 and 3.2.3, respectively.
[SOURCE: ISO 22095:2020, 3.1.1, modified –— Note to entry added.]
3.3.18
chain of custody system
set of measures designed to implement a chain of custody (3.3.17), including documentation of these measures
Note 1 to entry: For definitions of supply chain and specified characteristics, see ISO 22095:2020, 3.2.1 and 3.2.5,
respectively.
[SOURCE: ISO 22095:2020, 3.1.2, modified — Notes 1 and 2 to entry deleted. Note 1 to entry added.]
3.3.19
chain of custody model
approach taken to control inputs and outputs and associated information in a particular chain of custody
system (3.3.18)
Note 1 to entry: For definitions of input, output and specified characteristics, see ISO 22095:2020, 3.2.2, 3.2.3 and 3.2.5
respectively.
[SOURCE: ISO 22095:2020, 3.1.3, modified — NoteNotes 1 deleted. Noteand 2 to entry replaceddeleted. Note
1 to entry added.]
3.4 Terms related to conformity assessment of EPDs
3.4.1
competence
ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve intended results
[SOURCE: ISO 14050:2020, 3.1.10]
3.4.2
third party, noun
person or body that is recognized as being independent of the parties involved, as concerns the issues in
question
Note 1 to entry: In this context, “parties” refers to the intended audience (3.2.6), which can include, but is not be limited
to, a client, purchaser or potential purchaser, investor, consumer (3.2.10), responsible party (3.2.11), programme operator
(3.2.8), life cycle assessment (LCA) practitioner, environmental product declaration (EPD) tool developers, regulators,
financial community, general public or other interested parties (3.2.7), such as local communities, governmental or non-
governmental organizations (NGOs).
Note 2 to entry: In this document, when the term is used as an adjective it is hyphenated.
[SOURCE: ISO 14050:2020, 3.2.8, modified — Figure of speech and New Notes 1 and 2 to entry added.]
3.4.3
verifier
competent and independent person or persons with responsibility for performing and reporting on a
verification (3.4.5) process
Note 1 to entry: In this document, the “verification” process is carried out by either independent verifiers that are internal
or external to the responsible party (3.2.11) or third-party (3.4.2) verifiers (see Clause 9).
[SOURCE: ISO 14050:2020, 3.4.5, modified –— Note 1 to entry added.]
3.4.4
PCR review
product category rules review
process whereby a third-party (3.4.2) panel reviews the PCR (3.3.3)
3.4.5
verification
confirmation of an environmental product declaration (EPD) (3.2.2), through the provision of objective evidence
(3.4.6), that specified requirements have been fulfilled
[SOURCE: ISO 14050:2020, 3.4.1, modified — Admitted term “conformity assessment” deleted. Reference to
“of an EPD” added.]
3.4.6
objective evidence
data supporting the existence or verity of something
[SOURCE: ISO 14050:2020, 3.4.32, modified — Delimiting subject field “audit” deleted.]
3.5 Abbreviated terms
EPD environmental product declaration
GPI general programme instructions
GWP global warming potential
LCA life cycle assessment
LCI life cycle inventory analysis
LCIA life cycle impact assessment
MOU memorandum of understanding
MRA mutual recognition arrangement
NGO nongovernmental organization
product category rules
PCR
NOTE Use of the abbreviated term “PCRs” within the text refers to multiple or a set
of different PCR.
NOTE Use of the abbreviated term “PCRs” within the text refers to multiple or a set of different PCR.
4 Principles
4.1 General
The principles of ISO 14020:2022, Clause 4, and those described in 4.2 and 4.3 shall apply. The principles from
ISO 14020 include the following:
— credibility;
— evidence-based methodology;
— transparency and availability;
— confidentiality;
— life cycle perspective;
— environmental performance improvement and innovation;
— accessibility and avoidance of unnecessary information and administrative demands;
— interested parties and consultation;
— voluntary;
— regionality.
NOTE EPDs are developed based on the LCA requirements of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
4.2 Flexibility
4.2.1 Principle
Communication of environmental aspects and potential environmental impacts of products using EPDs and
associated programmes is flexible with regard to allowing different types of organizations to operate an EPD
programme, EPDs to utilize all relevant life cycle stages and information modules, digitized reporting formats,
EPD tools for generation efficiency and the declaration of additional sustainability-related information.
4.2.2 Rationale
Being flexible allows EPDs to improve the marketplaces’ understanding of environmental performance of
products while being technically credible, practical and cost-effective.
4.3 Comparability
4.3.1 Principle
EPDs provide quantified environmental information on the life cycle of a product to support comparisons
between products.
NOTE One goal of comparing EPDs is to lower adverse potential environmental impacts and improve environmental
benefits.
4.3.2 Rationale
The PCR document(s) provides the basis for valid comparisons of EPDs (see 7.5.3)
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