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environmental

Environmental Product Declarations

A simple black outline of a clipboard with the bold, uppercase letters EPD centered on the board, symbolizing Environmental Product Declarations, set against a plain white background.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are increasingly vital tools for transparency in building product specification, detailing a product's environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. Based on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and third-party verified, EPDs are governed by Product Category Rules (PCRs) to ensure accurate comparison between products. Architects should note the distinction between Industry-wide EPDs, which cover generic product types, and Product Specific EPDs, which offer greater contributions toward sustainable building credits.

LCCA Life Cycle Cost Assessment

A black dollar sign, an upward-trending zigzag arrow, and the letters LCAA in bold font on a white background, symbolizing cost assessment or Life Cycle Cost Assessment.

Understanding Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA) is crucial for architects and design professionals. Unlike Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which focuses on environmental impact, LCCA evaluates the total economic impact of a building or component throughout its lifespan. This includes initial costs, operations, maintenance, replacement, and financing. By considering these factors, LCCA allows for informed decisions that can lead to long-term cost savings and more efficient building designs.

LCA Life Cycle Assessment

A black outline of a globe surrounded by four curved arrows forming a circle, symbolizing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), with the bold uppercase letters LCA to the right of the image, all set against a white background.

Understanding Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is crucial for evaluating the environmental impact of building materials and products. Unlike Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA), which focuses on economic costs, LCA considers everything from raw material extraction to disposal, including energy consumption and potential environmental effects like global warming. This comprehensive analysis, often part of LEED certification, compares a design against a base case to measure reductions in various environmental categories.