Product Environmental Profile - PEP

Johanna, I would check if it meets the ISO standards defined in the credit language. From what you've described, though, I doubt it will comply.

The PEP ecopassport program (http://www.pep-ecopassport.org/) is a Type III EPD compliant with ISO 14025/14040 and EN 15804 that covers electrical, electronic, and HVAC products. As far as I can tell, it should meet all the requirements for Type III EPD in LEED. The only issue is that PEPs can have both internal and external independent verification and its unclear whether the internal independent verification meets the LEED requirements. 

After extensive discussions USGBC has issued a new LEED interpretation addressing this issue. They've retained the requirement for external verification for an EPD to count as one full product toward the 20. They ALSO introduced a new 3/4-product category, for Type-III declarations, such as PEPs or EPDs, that are internally verified (and meet all the other requirements of ISO 14025 and the PCR standards). A classic compromise position. 

Thx for the heads up Nadav! This is great news as it should help make the EPD credit path more attainable (even potentially reaching the Exemplary performance) for more projects.  The EPD product point tier system (1/4 - 1 pt options) is easy to overlook toward the bottom of the detailed interpretation ruling.

Hopefully the BPDO Calculatorv06 will be updated soon to reflect the 3/4 pt option...until then it sounds like it might require teams to prepare a simple excel calc to supplement/demonstrate their weighted EPD total if numerous 3/4 pt products are being claimed.

I suspect it will also be worth specifically citing this interpretation 10484 in upcoming submittals to ensure the assigned LEED reviewer is aware of this new compromise as well.

Can electrical, electronic, and HVAC products (eg. presence sensors or CO2 sensor) contribute to this credit?

Yes, if they can be considered a "Passive" part of electrical systems. I suspect that sensors and controls would be considered an active part of system, but other electrical components can contribute to the EPD products credit. From the reference guide"

"In past versions of LEED, all mechanical, plumbing, and electrical equipment (MEP), categorized as CSI MasterFormat divisions 11, 21-28, and other specialty divisions, was excluded from MR credits. In this version of LEED some specific products that are part of these systems but are “passive” (meaning not part of the active portions of the system) may be included in credit calculations. This allows flexibility for the optional assessment of piping, pipe insulation, ducts, duct insulation, conduit, plumbing fixtures, faucets, showerheads, and lamp housings."