EPD for Troldtekt acoustic panels

The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for Troldtekt has been prepared by the Danish Technological Institute and subjected to third party verification by Norwegian SINTEF Byggforsk/SINTEF Building and Infrastructure. The EPD has been registered with the Norwegian EPD Foundation (EPD Norway) and EPD Denmark.

It has been prepared in accordance with the new European standard CEN EPD EN 15804 and is based on actual figures from Troldtekt's production flow. The EPD makes Troldtekt's environmental profile clear and transparent.

Download Troldtekt's EPD from EPD Denmark.

Download Troldtekt's EPD from EPD Norway.

Troldtekt's EPD is accepted and registered in the German register for third party verified EPD's at the "Institut für Bauen und Umwelt e.V. (IBU)". Both EPD Norway and IBU are members of the European ECO Platform and have signed an agreement regarding mutual recognition of third party verified EPD's, prepared in accordance with EN 15804. EPD Denmark is also a member of the ECO Platform and has signed a similar agreement.

Download the IBU version of Troldtekt's EPD.

The European Commission’s new Construction Products Regulation (CPR) came into force on 1 July 2013. The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) replaces the Construction Products Directive (CPD), and with the introduction of the 'Seventh requirement' in the Construction Products Regulation, the European Commission now requires that manufacturers in the industry document the sustainable aspects of their products. We welcome this development at Troldtekt and have therefore had an EPD prepared that focuses on the environmental impact of our acoustic panels from 'cradle to gate', i.e. from raw material until the finished product leaves the factory. The EPD has been prepared in accordance with the new European standard CEN EPD EN 15804.

EPDs make it easier for consultants and clients to compare information about the environmental impact of specific products – and also across national borders in the EU. The European Commission's 'Seventh requirement' for documentation of sustainability is now going to be implemented in the various product standards under CEN in step with the revision of these standards which takes place approximately every five years. Unfortunately, it may therefore take several years before the new requirements are fully implemented. In the meantime, comparisons will be difficult as many old EPDs have been prepared in accordance with ISO 14025, which is not specific to construction products and in which there is a high degree of 'freedom of methods'.

An EPD must, as far as possible, be based on actual data and specific data about the product. However, generic information based on regional, national or global average considerations from databases and reference works may also be used.

Troldtekt's EPD is, to the greatest possible extent, based on actual figures from the production, as illustrated in the following flow diagram:

An EPD must contain verifiable, accurate and non-misleading environmental information about a product and its use. As mentioned above, the information may be based partially on generic data and not actual data. An EPD is a declaration and not a quality mark. An EPD says nothing about whether a product has a small or large environmental impact and an EPD is also not a guarantee that the product is environmentally friendly. However, it makes it easier for consultants and clients to compare the impact of different products on the environment.

In accordance with EN 15804, an EPD must contain information about the following seven environmental impacts:

1. Global warming (CO2 equivalent)
Also known as 'carbon footprint' and measured in CO2 equivalents.
Global warming is considered the primary factor for climate change.

2. Depletion of the ozone layer (CFC-11 equivalent)
Measured in chlorofluorocarbon-11 equivalents but nitrous oxide and other compounds are also part of the CFC-11 equivalents number. If the ozone layer is depleted, less of the harmful radiation from the sun is absorbed.

3. Acidification (SO2 equivalent)
Measured in sulphur dioxide equivalents (SO2 equivalents).
Acidification is caused by sulphur dioxide emissions to the atmosphere which, for example, increases the acidity of water.

4. Eutrophication (PO4 equivalent)
Measured in phosphate equivalents (PO4 equivalents).
Eutrophication causes algae growth in lakes etc. due to by-products used in agriculture, industry and households. Extensive use of fertiliser results in oxygen depletion, mainly caused by nitrates and phosphates.

5. Photochemical ozone creation (ethanol/ethylene equivalent)
Measured in ethanol/ethylene equivalents.
Photochemical ozone creation is the result of the use of solvents and from vehicle and power station emissions. Ozone causes breathing discomfort and airway diseases in people. Ozone is also harmful to forests and agriculture.

6. Depletion of abiotic (inorganic) resources (Sb equivalent)
Stated in kg Sb equivalents, Sb is an element called antimony or stibium.
Non-renewable resources such as metals, minerals, stone, gravel, soil etc.

7. Depletion of abiotic (inorganic) fossil fuels (MJ)
The unit is MJ, specific/lower calorific value.