Q&A from webinar "How to optimize your EPD verification?" (March 26, 2026)

Q: If my EPD was published in 2025 before the ECO Platform agreement, how is it possible to get this EPD also into the ECO Platform?

A: Re-verification is needed for your EPD according to PCR 1.2.

Q: I do not see any EPD from the EPD Hub in https://eco-portal.eco-platform.org — or maybe I need a login?

A: EPDs are visible in the Eco Portal without login. Please use the filter for EPD Hub.

Q: Does the system allow users to open the uploaded draft EPD later, just to confirm that it's the correct version? If yes, how?

A: Yes, it can be downloaded from the declaration page via the 'Download' button. Guidance is in our Help Center article.

Q: For the background database, can we use Ecoinvent v3.11 in general, or is it mandated that we must use the Ecoinvent Allocation, cut-off (AC) system model to ensure compliance with EN 15804?

A: For modeling Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) according to the EN 15804+A2 standard, ecoinvent offers a dedicated system model: "Allocation, cut-off, EN 15804." It ensures full compliance with ISO 14025, ISO 21930, and EN 15804 standards, providing all the mandatory Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) indicators.

Q: In a full LCA study, it is common to include sensitivity and scenario analysis as part of the interpretation stage. Are these analyses required in the supporting LCA report for an EPD, even though the detailed LCA report is typically not published as part of the final EPD document? How detailed should the supplementary LCA report be — should it fully follow the structure outlined in ISO 14040/44?

A: When relevant, sensitivity analysis may be added in the background report to support interpretation of results. This is not mandatory as per EN 15804, but during the verification process it may be relevant depending on the complexity of your EPD and covered products.

Q: How can we deal with inputs where we have no information from a supplier — for example, steel products purchased from overseas?

A: Information about the supplier is in the direct control of the manufacturer and should be provided for EPD purposes.

Q: How is it with non-bio-based materials? How should it be balanced to consider small traces of biogenic carbon?

A: For non-bio-based products, it is not required to balance biogenic carbon content.

Q: What about when the general/suggested end-of-life (EoL) scenario is illegal according to our national waste act? National legislation has pushed 100% recycling into reality, but it is not accepted in the verification.

A: It is expected that a realistic scenario is modelled in the EPD — one that can be proven to be happening in practice. If 100% recycling exists only on paper and not in the field, it will not be representative for your EPD declaration.

Q: For energy and waste, is it mandatory to use total annual values? Can't we use generic data from databases? For example, if my process is extrusion, do I have to use annual energy consumption from my facility, or can I use an extrusion process dataset from Ecoinvent?

A: The Ecoinvent dataset will be used for modelling, while annual values will be used to verify/deduce.

Q: Should we keep anything in mind when using supplier EFs from supplier LCAs in our product LCA?

A: It is very important that suppliers' information is checked and aligned with EN 15804 requirements.

Q: Data submission with the XLS template 1.9 still results in loss of or incorrect data on the matching region for datasets. Will that be resolved? It leads to extra rounds and a need to go through details twice.

A: This would be a question for OCL — please forward to OCL support.

Q: Mass balance is 100% 1:1 output/input, yet the plausibility check is always wrong with every product. What could be the problem?

A: This would be a question for OCL — please forward to OCL support.

Q: How do you compare EPDs from EPD Hub with those from another program operator for the same type of product?

A: Comparison with another program really depends on the chosen PCR, declared unit, and scope of the study. Such comparisons may not always be possible, as stated in the EPD document.

Q: A major challenge we've faced is knowing the number of EPD credits required for verification. It would be very useful to calculate how many credits are needed for verification/publication without contacting EPD Hub for every project.

A: We are updating the pricing model and it will be transparently published on our website in the coming weeks. You will be able to calculate direct costs without managing credits.

Q: How do you calculate the data? Which software is most useful?

A: According to manufacturers' feedback, the best approach historically is to use pre-verified EPD generators.

Q: Is it mandatory to have the Excel sheet before verification, or can we have the data in the software?

A: It is necessary to import the bill of materials and any additional calculations made on the side to support LCA modelling and EPD documentation. It does not need to be in Excel format, but access needs to be shared with the verifier. It can be uploaded in the Additional Fields section of the EPD Hub declaration platform.