How to Maintain and Update Your EPD After 5 Years
- Certify Power House
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
An Environmental Product Declaration doesn't last forever. Five years after verification, most EPDs expire, and manufacturers must renew or revise them to stay eligible for tenders, green certifications, and export deals. Let that date slip, and a live bid can reject your paperwork on the spot.
This guide explains what forces an update, how the renewal process actually works, and where most manufacturers slip up.
What Is the Validity Period of an Environmental Product Declaration?
An Environmental Product Declaration usually stays valid for five years, counted from its verification date. That expiry date appears directly on the certificate itself.
A few things worth knowing:
The five-year window begins at verification, not when the product first went to market
Program operators set this window through their own governing rules, not manufacturers
Some Product Category Rules (PCR) apply different validity periods for niche product types
Buyers and certifiers can only rely on the EPD while it remains inside that window
Once that date passes, the document loses its power to back environmental claims. Certification bodies and procurement teams notice quickly.
Why Should You Review Your EPD After Five Years?
You should review your EPD after five years because production methods, energy sources, and industry standards rarely stay static that long. A stale EPD risks giving buyers an inaccurate picture.
Reasons this review carries weight:
Manufacturing processes often shift meaningfully within a five-year window
Regional energy grids change, altering the carbon footprint tied to every product
Standards such as EN 15804 get revised periodically, and renewals must match the latest version
More procurement teams now check expiry dates before accepting any EPD
If you're still getting familiar with the basics, our Complete Environmental Product Declarations Guide is a solid starting point before diving into renewal.
What Changes Require an EPD Update?
Shifts in raw materials, production methods, or energy sourcing can trigger an EPD update long before the five-year deadline arrives. Even a small supply chain adjustment can move your numbers.
Typical triggers for an earlier update:
Raw materials – a supplier switch or altered material composition
Manufacturing process – new machinery or a revised production method
Factory location – relocating changes both energy use and transport figures
Energy source – moving between grid electricity and renewable sources
Packaging – shifts in material or weight ripple into transport and disposal data
Transportation – different routes or shipping methods change emissions results
Product formulation – any component or recipe change reshapes the underlying LCA
Environmental performance – results worsening past 10 percent demand an earlier update
Spot any of these already happening at your facility? Don't sit on it until the five-year mark arrives.
Difference Between EPD Renewal and EPD Revision
EPD renewal republishes the entire declaration with fresh data after the original expires. EPD revision, by contrast, updates an active EPD mid-cycle because of a specific change.
How the two paths actually differ:
Renewal takes place after full five-year expiry, using a new LCA and the latest PCR
Revision happens while the EPD is still active, prompted by a real product or process change
Renewal resets your five-year validity clock starting from the new verification date
Revision typically preserves the original expiry date, unless the change is major enough for a fresh EPD
Independent, third-party verification applies to both paths before publication
Mixing these two up often leads manufacturers to assume they have more runway than they actually do.
Step-by-Step EPD Update Process
Updating an EPD moves through five defined stages, from data gathering to final republishing. Rushing early steps almost always causes friction during verification.
Collect current production data – gather updated material, energy, and process information
Run a new Life Cycle Assessment – recalculate impacts against the applicable current PCR
Draft the updated EPD report – structure results following EN 15804 and ISO 14025
Submit for third-party verification – an accredited verifier checks data quality and math
Republish through your program operator – release the update and swap it into all live documents
Every stage depends on the one before it. Weak or incomplete data collection early on tends to resurface at verification.
Role of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in EPD Updates
A Life Cycle Assessment tracks a product's environmental impact from raw material sourcing through end-of-life disposal. It's the technical core behind every EPD update worth publishing.
What the LCA needs to capture accurately:
Present-day raw material sourcing and volumes
Current manufacturing energy consumption figures
Updated transport distances and shipping approaches
End-of-life outcomes, including recycling and disposal routes
An EPD built on old LCA data may look polished on paper, but it won't reflect current reality. This refresh is the genuine substance behind any renewal.
Role of Product Category Rules (PCR) in EPD Updates
Product Category Rules define exactly how your LCA and EPD must be built for your specific product type. PCRs revise periodically, and renewed EPDs need to follow the current edition.
Why this matters for your update:
PCRs specify exactly which environmental indicators must appear in your EPD
Older PCR versions eventually sunset and stop supporting new EPD applications
EN 15804+A2 became the required standard for new construction product EPDs from July 2022 onward
Existing EPDs stay valid under their original PCR until expiry, but renewal calls for the current version
Verify which PCR version governs your product category before beginning work. A sunset PCR gets rejected on submission.
Third-Party Verification Requirements
Every renewed or revised EPD needs sign-off from an independent verifier before it can go live. This step confirms your data, calculations, and PCR compliance hold up.
What verification usually involves:
An accredited, independent verifier reviews the full LCA and EPD report
They check data quality, calculation accuracy, and compliance with the applicable PCR
Verification on an update generally takes two to four weeks
The verifier's formal statement confirms alignment with ISO 14025 Type III requirements
Rushing or skipping this stage risks rejection from your program operator, right when a live bid needs the fastest possible turnaround.
Common Challenges During EPD Renewal
Manufacturers most often run into outdated records, PCR confusion, and tight bid timelines during renewal. Planning early sidesteps most of these problems.
Recurring issues include:
Gaps in production records covering the full five-year period
Confusion about which PCR version actually applies now
Underestimating the real time verification takes to complete
Only starting the process once a live tender forces the issue
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most renewal trouble comes down to delay or shortcuts on data quality. A short list of repeat mistakes explains most of the pain.
Waiting until after expiry to start the renewal process at all
Reusing old LCA figures without checking for genuine production changes
Submitting an application built on an already-sunset PCR version
Cutting corners on verification to save a few weeks
Forgetting to swap the updated EPD into every platform, including LEED and tender files
Best Practices for Maintaining an EPD
Manufacturers with the smoothest renewals treat EPD maintenance as continuous, not a scramble every five years. A handful of habits keep it manageable.
Mark your EPD's expiry date at least nine months in advance
Keep production, energy, and material records current all year, not just before renewal
Track PCR updates relevant to your specific product category
Build renewal costs into your annual sustainability budget ahead of time
Work with a consistent verifier or consultant across renewal cycles
Benefits of Keeping Your EPD Updated
A current EPD keeps your products eligible for green building projects, international tenders, and procurement shortlists. It also protects your company's environmental credibility.
Continued eligibility for LEED, Estidama, and similar green building frameworks
Protection from disqualification in live tenders over expired paperwork
An accurate reflection of your product's real, current environmental impact
Stronger positioning in procurement processes that prioritize verified data
Sustained access to European and other international export markets
Real Example
A UAE-based construction materials manufacturer needed continued access to a European infrastructure project. Their original EPD, five years old, was closing in on its expiry date.
During that time, the company had upgraded to a more energy-efficient production line. That shift alone made a full data refresh necessary, not just a straightforward republish.
The team pulled current production data, ran a new LCA under the latest PCR, and finished third-party verification in roughly six weeks. The renewed EPD kept the product eligible under the project's green procurement requirements.
Missing that window would have meant losing the contract entirely.
EPD Maintenance Checklist
Track your renewal readiness with this list:
✓ Confirm your EPD's exact expiry date
✓ Check whether the relevant PCR has changed since your last publication
✓ Review any production changes since your last verification
✓ Gather updated material, energy, and transport figures
✓ Decide whether you need a full renewal or a mid-cycle revision
✓ Schedule third-party verification at least two months ahead of any bid deadline
✓ Replace the outdated EPD across every submittal platform once republished
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is an Environmental Product Declaration valid?
Most EPDs stay valid for five years, counted from their verification date.
What happens if my EPD expires?
An expired EPD can't support environmental claims in tenders or certifications anymore.
Do I need a new LCA for every EPD renewal?
Yes. Renewal always requires a fresh Life Cycle Assessment using current data.
What separates EPD renewal from EPD revision?
Renewal happens after expiry. Revision happens mid-cycle after a specific change.
How long does EPD verification usually take?
Verification on an update typically takes two to four weeks to complete.
Does every product change require a full EPD update?
No, unless the environmental results worsen by more than 10 percent.
Can I renew my EPD using an outdated PCR?
No. Renewal always requires following the current PCR for your product category.
What does an EPD renewal typically cost?
Renewal usually runs 30 to 50 percent of the cost of the original EPD.
Does moving my factory location affect EPD validity?
Yes. A new location shifts the energy and transport data behind your LCA.
Can I keep using my EPD while renewal is in progress?
Only until its printed expiry date. After that, it's no longer valid for submittals.
Keeping your Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) current protects your access to green procurement and international projects. Don't wait for the deadline to force your hand. Contact Envirolink for support with EPD renewal, verification, and updates, and review How to Get an Environmental Product Declaration in the UAE if you're handling a first submission alongside your renewal.
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