Sustainable construction products play a pivotal role in achieving net-zero goals and green building certifications in India. Conserve Consultants Pvt Ltd specializes in guiding manufacturers through certifications like EPD, PCF, GreenPro, and Product Certification to enhance product sustainability and market competitiveness.
Life Cycle Assessment Essentials
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates a product's environmental impacts from raw material extraction to disposal, covering cradle-to-grave, cradle-to-gate, or gate-to-gate scopes. It analyzes 13 key impact categories, including Global Warming Potential (kg CO2e), ozone layer depletion (kg CFC11e), acidification (mol H+ eq.), eutrophication potentials, tropospheric ozone formation (kg NMVOC eq.), abiotic resource depletion, and water use (m³ deprived). These metrics help manufacturers identify hotspots like fossil fuel emissions or resource depletion to optimize processes and reduce emissions.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
An EPD is a verified Type III ecolabel documenting a product's life-cycle impacts, compliant with ISO 14025 and EN 15804, valid for five years on platforms like International EPD System (IES) or EPD Hub. It follows General Program Instructions (GPI) and Product Category Rules (PCR) for construction materials like cement, steel, glass, and wood, covering modules A1-A3 (production), optional A4-A5 (construction), B (use), C (end-of-life), and D (reuse). Benefits include market access, cost savings, regulatory compliance, and support for green certifications like LEED or IGBC.
EPD Systems Comparison
| Parameter | IES | EPD Hub |
| Verification | Third-party verified | Internalized third-party (One Click LCA) |
| PCR Coverage | Product-specific PCRs | Single core PCR for construction, electrical, etc. |
| Pricing | Annual fees + registration + verification | Fixed lifetime cost, no annual fees |
| Market Reach | 12,118 EPDs, global acceptance | 4,274 EPDs, fast-growing in Europe/global |
| Standards | EN 15804, ISO 14025 | EN 15804+A2, ISO 21930, ISO 14067 |
Types include single-product, average/representative sector EPDs, and project-specific ones, enabling benchmarking and supply chain transparency.
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)
PCF quantifies GHG emissions (kg CO2e) across a product's lifecycle, focusing on Global Warming Potential per ISO 14067 or GHG Protocol, from cradle-to-gate or cradle-to-grave. It supports Scope 3 disclosures under BRSR and GRI, helping firms meet carbon regulations and optimize emissions in manufacturing and disposal. Verification involves third-party audits, delivering detailed reports for sustainability reporting.
GreenPro and Green Certifications
GreenPro, by CII-IGBC, is a cradle-to-cradle ecolabel requiring 50+ points across raw materials, manufacturing, usage, and disposal for 40+ categories like tiles, steel, and paints; valid for two years with renewal. GRIHA Product Certification enlists sustainable materials via an online catalog, assessing compliance through documents like EPD/LCA and test reports for categories including insulation, plumbing, and solar PV; valid for two years. Both prioritize products in IGBC/LEED/GRIHA projects, with processes involving registration, third-party verification, audits, and council review.
Strategic Benefits for Manufacturers
Integrated certifications drive operational efficiency, product differentiation, and stakeholder trust while earning credits in LEED (EPD: 1-2 points), IGBC, LEED, and GRIHA. Building owners gain from low-carbon materials supporting the circular economy and net-zero goals. Conserve Consultants Pvt Ltd delivers LCA reports, EPD/PCF publishing, and certification guidance, backed by 600+ projects and 250+ gold/platinum certifications across 250+ million sq ft.
Building owners access low-carbon materials for circular economy goals, while manufacturers gain a regulatory edge and buyer trust.
Ready to certify? Conserve delivers LCA reports, EPD publishing, and full guidance contact us.
