Leading Architecture and Engineering Firms Requesting EPDs, HPDs

Disclosure and transparency requirements by leading A/E firms are now formalized. In an October 4 article, Ecobuilding Pulse reported on the growing number of architecture and engineering firms requiring Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and/or Health Product Declarations (HPDs) from building product manufacturers. These firms, including some of the largest in the U.S.: Perkins+Will, HDR and GGLO, are establishing formal policies regarding material transparency and are collecting data on what goes into a building product.

As previously reported by NRMCA, one of the major drivers for material information is the new concepts from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED v4 rating system. EPDs and HPDs are both credit options in the overhauled Material and Resources Category and will have dramatic consequences on building material selection for new buildings and major renovations when LEED v4 is launched at November’s GreenBuild trade show. Failure from manufacturers to disclose may lead to a loss of opportunity in the growing green building movement.

NRMCA has been preparing for the concrete industry’s move toward material transparency by becoming an EPD Program Operator and providing guidance for future developments. NRMCA is also working on a HPD guidance manual enabling concrete producers to meet the new provisions of LEED v4. NRMCA will detail these concepts in the new and revised Webinar course "Concrete's Role in Sustainable Development". These four live Webinars will take place online December 9 - 12. Click here for course and registration information. Click here for the original Ecobuilding Pulse article.

For more information, please contact Tien Peng at tpeng@nrmca.org or 206-913-8535.