Stepwise EPD
Making it easier for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to produce EPDs for their products was the focus of the Stepwise-EPD project.
The client
EU’s Sixth Framework Programme – European Union
Website
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/sme/cases/cases16_en.htm
Our role
A quick and and low cost method was developped that can be used for marketing and eco-design opening new green marketing possibilities, and increasing product environmental performance. The method for stepwise EPD was tested in ten SMEs in Denmark, Latvia, Portugal and Sweden. Research institutes and consultants in respective countries aided the SMEs with the life cycle assessment and the EPD. Project completed September 2006.
Environmental product declarations for small and medium companies
The overall objective of the EU-CRAFT project “Stepwise EPD” was to develop a method for stepwise environmental product declarations suitable for SMEs, so that small companies can also join emerging markets for “environmentally superior” products and services. The project was executed during 2005 and 2006.
Consumers and purchasers preferences for environmentally friendly products are the major driving forces for companies invent new ways to green their products. Therefore environmental product declarations, EPDs, and other forms of credible eco-labelling are absolutely essential. However, it was difficult and time-consuming for smaller companies to make an EPD. The project therefore developed a method for stepwise EPD that already at early steps and at low cost can be used in marketing and eco-design.
The Stepwise EPD method can be a way to make a first low-cost step into any national or international EPD programme. The method was tested in ten SMEs in Denmark, Latvia, Portugal and Sweden. Research institutes in respective country assisted the SMEs with the life cycle assessment and the EPD. The assumption that doing an EPD furthers both sales, through opening for green marketing possibilities, and product environmental performance, through identifying eco-design options, was investigated and discussed.