A New Agreement Between Italy and China
On July 2, 2024, EPDItaly and EC Digital, a leading company in LCA consultancy and cloud-based solutions, officially launched a collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the ICMQ headquarters in Milan. This strategic partnership aims to promote the dissemination of an LCA tool within the EPDItaly system, leveraging EC Digital’s expertise in LCA consultancy services and ICMQ’s extensive competence in certification and inspection in the European market.
Mr. Jing Zhou, President of EC Digital, firmly believes that ICMQ’s experience in the verification and validation of EPDs, combined with E-C Digital’s advanced technology in data quantification, can enable companies to make the best use of EPDs, achieving more efficient carbon footprint management. This is particularly important in light of new European regulations on managing carbon emissions for imported goods (such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism – CBAM).
This partnership represents a significant step towards the integration of the LCA tool in Europe, promoting sustainability and improving mutual recognition of environmental performance standards across borders. The teams at ICMQ and EC Digital are excited to embark on this journey and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Below is the interview with Mr. Jing Zhou.
What are the main motivations behind EC Digital’s decision to partner with ICMQ?
Our primary motivations for collaborating with the ICMQ stem from our shared vision in the field of sustainability.
Firstly, we recognize the critical importance for promoting EPDs on a global scale. EPDItaly is an internationally recognized authoritative platform for developing and issuing EPDs. As the program operator of EPDItaly, ICMQ stands as a frontrunner in the construction industry. The expertise of ICMQ in environmental certification, combined with E-C Digital’s advanced technology in industrial carbon data quantification, will enable global enterprises to better understand and utilize EPDs, supporting them in achieving more efficient carbon footprint management and fulfilling environmental responsibilities.
Secondly, E-C Digital is China’s largest provider of LCA tools. With more and more clients needing international EPDs, our strategic partnership with ICMQ is set to empower Chinese manufacturers by enabling them to conduct professional LCA calculations that align with global standards and achieve certification in a timely manner. Additionally, it will foster mutual recognition of EPD platforms and systems between China and Europe, thereby reducing market entry barriers for Chinese enterprises and bolstering their international green competitiveness.
Meanwhile, E-C Digital is actively expanding into international markets. By promoting our JIMU LCA Cloud overseas through EU EPD platform, we are committed to assisting enterprises outside the EU in better engaging in sustainable international trade practices and meeting the requirements of the EU market.
We believe that this innovative partnership model will set a benchmark for the industry and inspire more companies to join the global sustainability movement. It’s not just about business success, it is about our shared future and collective responsibility toward a sustainable world.
How do you think this collaboration could impact on the development and adoption of LCA tools in China and Europe?
This collaboration could have several significant impacts on the development and adoption of LCA tools in China and Europe.
Firstly, it could lead to the sharing of advanced technologies and best practices. European countries have long been at the forefront of LCA research and development, and their expertise could be transferred to China, accelerating the improvement of LCA tools in the Chinese market.
Secondly, it would enhance the standardization and harmonization of LCA methods and metrics. By working together, China and Europe can establish common standards and guidelines, making LCA results more comparable and reliable, which would promote wider adoption of these tools in both regions.
Moreover, it could stimulate innovation and the development of more sophisticated LCA tools. Joint efforts would bring together diverse perspectives and resources, leading to the creation of tools that are better adapted to the specific needs and challenges of different industries in both China and Europe.
Finally, it would strengthen the awareness and importance of sustainable practices. The collaboration would draw more attention to the role of LCA in decision-making processes, encouraging businesses and policymakers to incorporate LCA into their strategies for a more sustainable future.
Which Chinese industrial sectors do you think could be interested in the European market?
There are several Chinese industrial sectors that could have an interest in the European market. One such sector is the technology industry, including areas like telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and electronics. The advanced technologies and products developed by Chinese tech companies have the potential to gain traction in Europe.
The renewable energy sector is another area of potential interest. China has made significant advancements in solar and wind energy, and the European market’s focus on sustainable energy sources could present opportunities for Chinese companies.
The automotive industry is also likely to be interested. Chinese automakers have been improving their quality and technology, and could look to expand their presence in the European market.
The construction and building materials industries. I think that in China there are a lot of companies that would like to export their products in Europe, particularly like cement, concrete, steel and insulation materials, are gaining popularity in Europe. However, as policies such as the Green Deal and (CPR) prioritize sustainability, there is a growing need to assess full lifecycle carbon emissions and obtain EPD certification.
The healthcare and pharmaceutical sector could have potential as well. With growing research and development capabilities in China, there could be interest in entering the European market with innovative healthcare products and drugs.
Finally, the consumer goods sector, such as clothing, electronics, and home appliances, could see opportunities in the European market due to competitive pricing and manufacturing capabilities.
Do you think that EPDs can be a useful tool for meet the needs of the new environmental regulatory requirements being introduced in Europe, such as the New CPR and CBAM?
Yes, I think EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) can be a useful tool to meet the new environmental regulatory requirements in Europe.
EPDs provide detailed and transparent information about the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle. This can help companies demonstrate compliance with the new regulations by showcasing the environmental performance of their products.
For example, after the mandatory implementation of CPR, Chinese companies must comply with the new CPR as early as possible to export their products in Europe. The Chinese construction industry needs to reduce its carbon footprint, starting with calculating the full life cycle carbon footprint of its buildings and infrastructure, which means they need to measure the environmental impacts of their products and get them from now certified with EPDs.
However, the effective use of EPDs would require standardization, verification, and acceptance across different industries and regulatory bodies to ensure their credibility and comparability.