1- When performing a LCA calculation for the envelope and structure, not all materials proposed by the design team have an EPD. Therefore, we propose to substitute some materials for similar materials with an EPD to complete the LCA. Would this be acceptable?
2- Can a material with an EPD which is included in the LCA be substituted in the construction phase for a similar material without an EPD?
Panu Pasanen
CEOBionova / One Click LCA
25 thumbs up
March 27, 2017 - 9:21 am
Hi Emmanuel,
general principle is the following:
1. It's totally fine to use similar materials from other manufacturers with EPD or generic LCA data for filling in gaps for specific manufacturers who do not have EPD.
2. If you use an EPD because it represents the product category whose products you are using and not to demonstrate improvement over a generic product which would be delivering the required improvement, and the particular manufacturer you buy from is not deviating from generic product in a negative way (e.g. known worse emissions from a study), this should be fine.
But it's not appropriate if the EPD was used to demonstrate performance improvement which is then rolled back in procurement to a worse product in this respect. Unless of course this other product can demonstrate similar performance or performance that otherwise will still allow delivering the LEED tresholds.