FAQ
EPDItaly REGULATION
- D. Is it possible in the EPD, to be published on EPDItaly, to use identification codes together with the indication of the country where the plant is located, instead of the address of the production plant?
R. Yes, provided that the specific address is included in the LCA Report and made available by the Organisation, following a request by a third party applicant and evaluation by the Certification Body, for purposes related to the use of the EPD document itself.
This aspect is inherent to one of the requirements introduced and dealt with in the EPDItaly Regulation in version 5.3, which has recently completed the public consultation phase without receiving opposing opinions.
- D. What is meant by the reference product referred to in the approach for the definition of a Medium EPD?
R. The reference product is to be understood as a product belonging to the initial product cluster or notional product (clearly defined in its technical characteristics).
- D. Differences in approach for EPD development if the EPD Owner is a manufacturer or a distributor/importer?
R. In case the EPD Owner is manufacturer or distributor/importer:
Case A) the EPD Owner is the “manufacturer” if the product is manufactured directly or is manufactured by another party on behalf of the EPD Owner (toll manufacturing). In this case the impacts of the product manufacturing processes are considered in the Core Module.
Case B) the EPD Owner is a distributor/importer when the product is not manufactured directly by the EPD Owner but is manufactured and placed on the market by another entity and purchased by the EPD Owner In this case, in the Core Module the manufacturing processes of the product are not considered but the processes actually under the control of the EPD owner (e.g. logistics, packging distribution, etc.) are considered. In Upstream, the impacts of the product manufacturing processes supplied are considered (use of secondary data or possible use of data collected by the EPD Owner from the specific supplier) as for any other material supply.
- D. What is meant by the reference product referred to in the approach for the definition of a Medium EPD?
R. The reference product is to be understood as a product belonging to the initial product cluster or notional product (clearly defined in its technical characteristics).
- D. Which version of the EF method should be used to calculate environmental impact indicators in EPDs?
R. Since February 2023, the EF 3.1 method adopted by the EN 15804 standard is available at the following link: https://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/LCDN/EN15804.xhtml
EPDItaly defines a transition period of 1 year, until 29 February 2024, to allow an alignment of the LCA software market, in which it will be possible to develop and validate EPDs using the old version (based on EF 3.0) or the new version (based on EF 3.1), declaring it in the EPD.
EPDItaly’s position will be reviewed when the transition expires.
PCR
- D. Can “hybrid systems” also be included in the scope of the PCR EPDItaly019 – HVAC home appliance?
R. The PCR in question excludes the use of methane gas systems, however it does not exclude the use of hybrid systems.
This is why the PCR will be revised with the introduction of such appliances. In the transitional period, an EPD can be developed with the PCR as a reference and describing for transparency the methodology adopted for calculating the methane gas contribution.
- D. Is it possible to include in the scope of PCR EPDItaly007 – ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS also “Domestic appliances and parts thereof”??
R. The PCR in question defines the application for products falling under CPC family code 46: “Electrical machinery and apparatus”.
Although , “Domestic appliances and parts thereof” do not fall under this family, but under CPC code 448 “Domestic appliances and parts thereof,” following in-depth analysis with experts in the field , we believe that CPC Code 448 can be included in the scope of PCR 007, where “Domestic appliances and parts thereof” refers to electrical products. For this reason, the document will be revised in the future. In the transitory period, however, it is possible to develop an EPD that also references the PCR for “Domestic appliances and parts thereof” , provided that these are electrical/electronic products .
- D. Can ‘resin transformers’ also be included in the scope of PCR EPDItaly018 – Power transformers?
R. The PCR in question clearly defines the application of the PCR for “Three-phase transformers and autotransformers in naturally-cooled oil”, however it does not exclude the use of the same PCR for other types of transformers, as indicated in Chap. 1.4 – “In case the LCA covers a transformer not included in the clusters shown in table above, the EPD owner shall choose the most appropriate classification according to operating parameters of the equipment.” Therefore, following in-depth analysis with industry stakeholders on the need to expand the scope of the PCR, the document will be revised with the introduction of such equipment. In the interim, it is possible to develop an EPD that will also refer to the PCR for “Resin Transformers”, maintaining the requirements of the PCR (Technical Characteristics, RSL; Use Phase Formula).
- D. For EPDs of construction services, which modules should be considered?
R. Compared to EN 15804, additional requirements for an EPD of construction services are to be introduced: the inclusion of modules A4 and A5 is mandatory in addition to modules A1-A3; C1-C4; D, in accordance with the common rules of other Programme Operators. This additional requirement will be regulated in the future revision of the Core-PCR of Construction Products.