How to Get an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in UAE
- Certify Power House
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
Getting an EPD in the UAE is a structured process. It is not complicated — but it requires the right data, the right consultant, and the right programme operator.
This guide walks you through every step. No jargon. No filler. Just the exact process UAE manufacturers follow to get a registered, verified EPD.
Who Needs an EPD in the UAE?
Before starting, confirm you actually need one.
You need an EPD if:
Your product is specified on LEED v4 or v4.1 projects
You supply to Estidama Pearl-rated buildings in Abu Dhabi
You bid on government infrastructure tenders with sustainability requirements
You export to Europe, the US, or Australia
Your clients are asking for verified environmental declarations
If any of these apply, an EPD is not optional — it is a business requirement.
Step 1 — Define Your Product Scope
Start by deciding exactly which product or products you want to certify.
Ask yourself:
Is this a single product or a product family?
What is the declared unit? (1 tonne, 1 m², 1 m³)
Which manufacturing site will the EPD cover?
A concrete manufacturer in Dubai might start with one product — standard ready-mix concrete. Later, they expand to cover three mix designs under a single EPD framework.
A steel fabricator in Sharjah might scope the EPD around one product category — structural hollow sections — rather than every product in their range.
Keep the scope focused for your first EPD. Broader scopes take longer and cost more.
Step 2 — Identify the Correct Product Category Rule (PCR)
A PCR is a rulebook. It defines how the LCA must be conducted for your specific product type.
Every EPD must follow a PCR. There is no flexibility here.
How to find your PCR:
Search the EPD International PCR library
Check NSF's programme database
Ask your EPD consultant — this is part of their job
Common PCRs used in UAE construction:
Product Type | Relevant PCR Standard |
Concrete and cement | EN 16757 / PCR 2019:14 |
Steel products | EN 15804 + PCR for steel |
Insulation materials | EN 16783 |
Flooring products | EN 16810 |
Glass products | EN 15804 aligned PCR |
Paints and coatings | EN 15804 aligned PCR |
If no PCR exists for your product, the programme operator can help develop one. This adds time but is sometimes necessary for niche products.
Step 3 — Choose a Programme Operator
A programme operator manages the EPD registration and publication system. They set the rules, manage verifiers, and maintain the public database where your EPD is listed.
Programme operators accepted in UAE and GCC projects:
Operator | Country | Widely Accepted In UAE? |
EPD International | Sweden | Yes |
NSF International | USA | Yes |
IBU | Germany | Yes |
The International EPD System | Global | Yes |
BRE Environmental | UK | Accepted on some projects |
For most UAE manufacturers, EPD International or NSF are the most practical choices. They have clear processes, reasonable fees, and global recognition.
Step 4 — Engage an EPD Consultant
You can technically manage the EPD process yourself. In practice, almost no manufacturer does.
An EPD consultant manages:
PCR identification and scoping
Data collection planning
LCA modelling and report writing
EPD document drafting
Liaison with the third-party verifier
Programme operator submission
What to look for in a UAE EPD consultant:
Qualified LCA practitioner (ISO 14040/14044 experience)
Familiar with GCC construction product categories
Experience with your target programme operator
Track record of completed, published EPDs
Ask for examples of EPDs they have already completed. Check the EPD International or NSF database to verify their work is actually published.
Step 5 — Collect Your Production Data
This is the most time-consuming part. Plan for 4 to 8 weeks.
Your LCA consultant will give you a data collection template. You need to gather:
Raw materials:
Name and quantity of each input material per declared unit
Country of origin and supplier location
Transport mode and distance to your facility
Energy:
Electricity consumption (kWh per declared unit)
Fuel consumption — diesel, gas, LPG (litres or m³ per declared unit)
Any renewable energy used on-site
Water:
Total water input per declared unit
Water recycled or recovered
Waste:
Solid waste to landfill
Hazardous waste
Recycled or recovered waste streams
Packaging:
Packaging materials used per declared unit
Pro tip: Manufacturers with ISO 14001 already track most of this data. If you have an environmental management system, data collection is significantly faster.
A 12-month production period is standard. Use the most recent full calendar year.
Step 6 — Complete the Life Cycle Assessment
Your consultant models the data using LCA software. SimaPro, OpenLCA, and GaBi are the most common tools.
The LCA calculates your environmental indicators across the declared system boundary — typically cradle to gate for construction products, with additional modules where relevant.
Key indicators calculated:
GWP — Global Warming Potential (CO₂ equivalent)
ODP — Ozone Depletion Potential
AP — Acidification Potential
EP — Eutrophication Potential
POCP — Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential
ADPE and ADPF — Resource depletion indicators
The LCA report is an internal technical document. It forms the basis of your EPD but is not published directly.
Step 7 — Draft the EPD Document
Once the LCA is complete, your consultant drafts the EPD. This follows the programme operator's template exactly.
A standard EPD document includes:
Product name, description, and manufacturer details
Declared unit and system boundary
LCA methodology and software used
Environmental indicator results — presented in a standard table
Scenarios for transport, installation, and end of life (where included)
Verification statement placeholder
References and data sources
The draft EPD is reviewed internally. Then it goes to the third-party verifier.
Step 8 — Third-Party Verification
Verification is mandatory. No exceptions.
An independent verifier reviews:
The LCA data and methodology
The EPD document for accuracy and completeness
Compliance with ISO 14025 and the relevant PCR
Correct application of the system boundary
The verifier may raise questions or request clarifications. Your consultant handles these responses.
Once satisfied, the verifier issues a verification statement. This is included in the final EPD document.
Verification typically takes 3 to 5 weeks. Some programme operators have panel verifiers who work on fixed schedules — factor this into your timeline.
Step 9 — Register and Publish
The verified EPD and supporting LCA report are submitted to the programme operator.
The operator conducts a final administrative review. If everything is in order, your EPD is registered and published in their public database.
Your EPD receives:
A unique registration number
A publication date
A 5-year validity period
A publicly accessible URL
Share the registration number and URL with your clients. It is searchable and verifiable by anyone.
Full Timeline at a Glance
Stage | Estimated Duration |
Product scoping and PCR identification | 1 – 2 weeks |
Data collection at facility | 4 – 8 weeks |
LCA modelling and report | 3 – 6 weeks |
EPD document drafting | 2 – 3 weeks |
Third-party verification | 3 – 5 weeks |
Programme operator registration | 1 – 2 weeks |
Total | 3 – 6 months |
Manufacturers with clean, structured data move through faster. Those collecting data manually for the first time take longer.
Full Cost Breakdown
Component | Estimated Cost (USD) |
LCA study and modelling | $3,000 – $8,000 |
EPD drafting | $1,500 – $3,000 |
Third-party verification | $1,500 – $3,500 |
Programme operator registration | $500 – $1,500 |
Total | $6,500 – $16,000 |
How to reduce cost:
Batch multiple products under one LCA framework
Use existing ISO 14001 data to speed up collection
Choose a consultant with programme operator relationships — it reduces back-and-forth
A UAE cement manufacturer with 4 product lines completed EPDs for all four products. Total cost was under $28,000 — less than $7,000 per EPD — by running the LCA work together.
What Happens After Your EPD Is Published?
Your EPD is live. Now use it.
Immediate actions:
Add the EPD registration number to your product datasheets
Include it in tender and bid documents
Share the public URL with project consultants and architects
Update your website with the EPD declaration
Ongoing responsibilities:
Track your 5-year renewal date
Monitor for PCR updates — you may need to revise before expiry
Notify your consultant if production processes change significantly
Renewal: Start the renewal process 6 months before expiry. The LCA data needs updating. The EPD is re-verified and re-registered.
Common Mistakes UAE Manufacturers Make
Starting without a PCR checkSome manufacturers begin data collection before confirming the correct PCR. This wastes time if the PCR requires data you have not collected.
Using annual averages without verificationRaw production averages pulled from finance or procurement systems are often inaccurate for LCA purposes. Environmental data needs to be verified against actual records.
Choosing an unrecognised programme operatorAn EPD registered with an obscure or unrecognised operator may not be accepted on LEED or Estidama projects. Stick with EPD International, NSF, or IBU.
Letting the EPD expireAn expired EPD cannot be used for project credits. Set a renewal reminder 12 months before the expiry date.
5 FAQs — Getting an EPD in the UAE
1. Can a UAE manufacturer get an EPD without an international consultant?
Yes — if you have an in-house LCA-qualified engineer. In practice, most UAE manufacturers use specialist consultants. The LCA modelling requires specific software and technical expertise that is not common in-house.
2. Is there a UAE government body that certifies EPDs?
No single UAE government body certifies EPDs. EPDs are registered through international programme operators like EPD International or NSF. However, UAE authorities increasingly reference these internationally registered EPDs in project specifications.
3. Can I use one EPD for projects in both UAE and Saudi Arabia?
Yes. A registered EPD is internationally valid. The same EPD accepted on a LEED project in Dubai is accepted on a LEED or GSAS project in Riyadh. You do not need separate EPDs per country.
4. What if my product formulation changes after the EPD is published?
Minor changes — small adjustments in mix design or supplier — may not require immediate re-verification. Major changes — new raw materials, different energy sources, process overhaul — require updating the LCA and re-verifying the EPD before continuing to use it.
5. How do I prove my EPD is valid to a project consultant?
Share the public URL from the programme operator's database. Every registered EPD has a unique page showing the registration number, validity dates, product details, and verifier information. Consultants verify directly from that page.
Ready to Start Your EPD?
The process is clear. The timeline is manageable. The business case is strong.
Start by scoping your product and identifying the right PCR. Everything else follows from there.
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