EPD & HPD Explained Glue-Down LVT · Environmental Product Declaration · Health Product Declaration
EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) and HPDs (Health Product Declarations) are third-party transparency documents that disclose the environmental footprint and ingredient chemistry of building products. For glue-down LVT specified on commercial projects — particularly those pursuing LEED v4 credits — these documents are commonly required as part of the product submittal package. Reference-only: no product recommendations.
An EPD quantifies lifecycle environmental impacts (global warming potential, energy use, water use) under ISO 14044 and EN 15804. An HPD discloses chemical ingredients down to 100 ppm under the HPD Open Standard. Both documents support LEED v4 Building Product Disclosure credits. Neither document by itself certifies that a product is environmentally superior to alternatives — they are disclosure tools, not endorsements.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
What an EPD contains
An EPD is prepared according to ISO 14044 (lifecycle assessment methodology) and a product-specific PCR (Product Category Rules) — for resilient flooring, this is typically EN 15804 or a PCR developed by a recognized program operator such as Environdec (International EPD System) or FDRE (Floor Covering Industry). The EPD reports environmental impact indicators across lifecycle stages: raw material extraction (A1), transport to manufacturer (A2), and manufacturing (A3) — collectively referred to as cradle-to-gate (A1–A3). Some EPDs extend to end-of-life (C stages) or biogenic carbon credit (D stage).
Key reported indicators include global warming potential (GWP in kg CO₂-eq), primary energy demand, eutrophication potential, acidification potential, and water use. These values allow specifiers to compare the environmental footprint of products that have been assessed under the same PCR and same system boundary — but comparing an EPD using EN 15804 to one using a different PCR requires caution because system boundaries and allocation methods may differ.
Product-specific vs industry-average EPDs
A product-specific EPD is based on primary data collected from the actual manufacturing process of the specific product — it reflects measured energy and material inputs for that product line. An industry-average EPD uses aggregated data from multiple manufacturers across a product category and represents a typical value rather than a specific product. For LEED credit purposes, product-specific EPDs are preferred because they reflect actual manufacturing conditions; industry-average EPDs are acceptable under some credit thresholds but are less valuable for differentiation.
Health Product Declarations (HPDs)
An HPD is prepared under the HPD Collaborative Open Standard (current version 2.x) and discloses the chemical composition of a product by layer (for multi-layer products like LVT). Disclosure is required for substances present above the reporting threshold — typically 1,000 ppm (0.1%) for intentionally added substances and 100 ppm (0.01%) for other substances. For each disclosed substance, the HPD references available hazard characterization data including GreenScreen benchmark scores, REACH Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) list status, California Prop 65 listing, and other regulatory classifications. For glue-down LVT, the HPD discloses the plasticizer identity (e.g., DINCH, DOTP, or legacy phthalates if present), PVC resin, stabilizer system, mineral fillers, and surface coating components across all layers. The HPD does not certify that ingredients are safe — it discloses what is known and flags hazard classifications for informed specifier review.
Spec Sheet Checklist
- Confirm whether the EPD is product-specific or industry-average — product-specific is preferred for LEED credits.
- Note the program operator (Environdec, FDRE, etc.) and the PCR used — EPDs under different PCRs are not directly comparable.
- Check the EPD validity date — EPDs typically have a 5-year validity period and must be current at time of submittal.
- Verify the system boundary (A1–A3 cradle-to-gate minimum; A1–C4 if full lifecycle is required).
- For the HPD, confirm the version of the Open Standard and check that all layers are disclosed, including backing and adhesive layer if applicable.
- Align documentation with specific LEED v4 credit requirements — EPD and HPD credits have specific thresholds for qualifying product percentage by value.
FAQ
Does an EPD mean a product is environmentally superior? ⌄
No. An EPD reports quantified lifecycle impacts but does not certify that those impacts are low or that the product is better than alternatives. Two products can both carry EPDs while one has significantly higher global warming potential than the other. EPDs allow comparison between products assessed under the same PCR, but that comparison must be made actively by reviewing the data — the existence of an EPD is a transparency claim, not a performance endorsement.
What is the difference between a product-specific EPD and an industry-average EPD? ⌄
A product-specific EPD uses primary data from the actual manufacturing process of the specific product at a specific facility. An industry-average EPD uses aggregated data across multiple manufacturers and represents a category average rather than a specific product. Product-specific EPDs are preferred for LEED credits and provide more actionable information for specifiers, because the results reflect the actual product being evaluated rather than a market average.
What is disclosed in an HPD for LVT? ⌄
An HPD under the HPD Collaborative Open Standard discloses chemical ingredients down to a reporting threshold of 100 ppm (0.01%) by weight, organized by product layer. For LVT, this typically includes the plasticizer type and identity (e.g., DINCH, DOTP, or legacy phthalates), PVC resin, mineral fillers, stabilizer systems, and surface coating chemistry. Each disclosed substance is referenced against hazard characterization databases including GreenScreen, REACH SVHCs, and California Prop 65 — allowing specifiers to evaluate chemical hazard profiles for project health criteria such as LEED Material Ingredients credits or WELL compliance.
Are EPDs and HPDs required for LEED projects? ⌄
EPDs and HPDs are not universally required but contribute to optional LEED v4/v4.1 credits — specifically the Building Product Disclosure and Optimization credits for Environmental Product Declarations and for Material Ingredients. Projects pursuing these credits must collect and document qualifying EPDs and HPDs for a defined percentage of materials by total value. Flooring is typically one of the permanent product categories counted toward these credits, so glue-down LVT EPDs and HPDs are commonly assembled for project submittals on LEED-targeted commercial projects.
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Reference-Only Information
This page provides general informational reference about EPDs and HPDs for glue-down LVT. It does not provide installation guidance, professional advice, or product recommendations.