Harmonization of documentation for EPD-generation: The Norwegian model

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of the different requirements that have to be fulfilled for the generation of an EPD. The Norwegian EPD Foundation (in brief EPD-Norway) is the Norwegian organization for verification and registrations of EPDs for different types of products. EPD-Norway was established in 2002 and since then 23 PCRs and more than 200 EPDs have been registered under this system. However, analyses have shown that the format of the PCRs and EPDs within the Norwegian system have differed, and compared with international systems even greater differences have been observed. To compensate for this difference EPD-Norway has put effort into a harmonization of PCR-templates, into LCA-reporting practice and to EPD-schemes. A set of underlying procedures and databases are further developed to guide companies through the process of generating EPDs. The chapter will present the results of this process and ideas for further development of the system.