Automate your EPD generation — faster, consistent, and cost‑efficient
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are essential for any sustainable business. Related data needs to be accessible quickly and transparent to keep your business agile.
Why automate your EPDs?
- Reduce EPD creation time by up to 80%
- Lower internal workload and external consulting costs
- Ensure consistent, PCR‑aligned modeling
- Scale your sustainability reporting effortlessly
- Increase accuracy and transparency of LCA data
- Be faster to market with verified EPDs
ESU has developed an approach to automatically calculate LCA, PCF and EPD results. Therefore, we import data for several hundreds or thousands of products and services from your data management software to SimaPro, calculate environmental impact scores automatically and feed them back to your data management software. Together with the full-fledged LCA software, this offers unique possibilities for automation and analysis of LCA data.
Our unique solution combines simplified and automated data-processing with the possibility for professional in depth analysis and quick scenario assessments. With the latter, you are empowered with all the background information for fact-based decision-making.
Our solution: Scalable EPD automation
Automate as much as you need — From single products to full portfolios
We offer flexible levels of automation, tailored to your product complexity and data readiness. Whether you want to streamline individual product EPDs or fully automate a large portfolio, we configure a system that fits your organization.
Our tailored solution may include/combine:
1. Automated EPD modeling via SimaPro COM-interface
We build automated workflows using the SimaPro COM-interface to:
- Generate EPD models based on your bill of material (BOM)
- Ensure full PCR alignment across your portfolio
- Drastically reduce repetitive manual work
- Align modelling choices
- Accelerate reporting with standardized templates that are automatically populated (e.g. with EPD tables, figures, and textual sections)
- (optionally) provide in-depth-hotspot-analysis to learn more about potentials for product improvement
2. Parameterized LCA models for families of similar products
Instead of creating separate models for each product, we set up parameterized models:
- One (or several) core model(s)
- Multiple product variations driven by key parameters (e.g., weight, materials, energy use)
- Consistent methodology and assumptions across all EPDs
Parameterized models support both high accuracy and rapid scalability.
3. Excel templates for structured EPD data
To guarantee smooth automation and data quality, we develop an Excel-based template structure:
- Collect and organize product data in a standardized format
- Automatically generate datasets for required EPD modules (A1–A3, C modules, D, etc.)
- Fully prepared for import into SimaPro or other LCA/EPD software
- Easily managed by your internal teams
4. Import and/or replicate supplier-data
Often, suppliers do not want to disclose their workflows or products life cycles. Therefore, you might only get reports with aggregated results.
Our EPD-importer tool allows easy reproduction of EPD results calculated by others in SimaPro. Like this, your model might be enriched consistently according to the EN 15804 + A1 or the EN 15804 + A2 assessment method.
Getting started – How it works
A simple 4‑step process:
- Assessment
We review your product portfolio, data maturity, and PCR requirements. - Automation Design
We define the automation level and build your parameterized LCA model(s). - Implementation
We set up the SimaPro COM interface workflow and provide your custom Excel template. - Roll-Out & Training
Your team learns how to update product data and generate new EPD datasets autonomously.
Ready to streamline your EPD process?
Let’s explore your potential for EPD automation in your organization.
Advantages of our approach to automize LCA
- High data-security: Data is stored locally and software is installed /runs on-premise.
- Full transparency and access to up-and downstream processes/background-data
- Full control over data for the whole product life cycle due to linking to ecoinvent unit processes –>no black box as in aggregated “system processes”
- In-depth analysis through comparisons, hotspot-, scenario- and uncertainty-assessments available in the professional SimaPro software.
At the end quality of automation is an important factor for EPD verification.
Please contact us to discuss your specific needs and to get an offer.
