How One Click LCA deals with ineligible EPDs

We review, verify, curate and integrate data from a huge range of public and private sources to the One Click LCA database in order to give you access to the largest database of environmental construction data in the world. At the moment our database covers over 110.000 different data points. 

10-point verification

All data in our database undergoes a rigorous ten-point verification using a process that has been reviewed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). If the data fails this verification process it will be rejected.

How do we deal with ineligible EPDs?

When we come across an EPD with ineligible results, or missing data, we unfortunately cannot allow the EPD to be used in One Click LCA under normal circumstances. We still include the EPD in our database, however since it is not eligible for normal use, we display a warning when you search for the EPD number.

The warning tells you one of two options:

• When the EPD has a minor error, you have to confirm you want to use the EPD. As it does not pass our quality check, we advice against using this option when aiming to get certification credits.
• When the EPD has a serious error, you will not be allowed to use the EPD and it will be blocked completely.

Warning displayed when the resource fails the ten-point verification, however it could still be used in certain situations. 

Warning displayed when the resource fails the ten-point verification, and is ineligible for use in any tool and therefore will be blocked. 

Possible reasons why an EPD is ineligible and a warning is displayed

EPD's life cycle stages not separated - Resource will be blocked

For most certifications you will require emissions separated by life-cycle stage. If an EPD reports on e.g. a grouped A1-D phase of emissions, we have no options to separate the data for the life-cycle stages and we will need to block use of the resource.

EPD has no mass conversion factor - Resource will be blocked

If a resource has no information on the mass we will not be able to calculate the emissions for different functional units, or use its emission data in graphs and results. If mass data is missing we will need to block use of the resource. 

EPD has no or incorrect ODP results - Resource will be displayed with a warning

If an EPD is missing mandatory indicator results, like Ozone Depletion Potential, we will add a warning to the resource. There is virtually no situation in which an EPD would have zero ODP emissions, however if the rest of the EPD has data which is viable the resource can be used with caution. We recommend not to use resources with an ODP warning for certification purposes.

EPD is not related to construction - Resource will be blocked

E.g. an EPD for pasta sauce. It does not belong in a whole building LCA assessment, which means we block use of the resource. 

EPD only has EN 15804+A2 results - Resource will be blocked in most tools

While EN15804:A2 is the new mandatory standard since July 2022, currently there are limited calculation tools which are able to use data in the A2 format. A2 data cannot be converted to A1 data. It is recommended that manufacturers publish EPDs with both A1 and A2 results until A2 has been widely adopted. 
Check also: The difference between EN15804:A1 and EN15804:A2