The EPD datasheet is available on the Sinat website for interested parties to access.  The standard that is was compiled too has been withdrawn so a newer version is in development to the latest standard. Whilst this work is completed, the old version (expired Apr 2023) can still be used  for data as Siniat opinion is the new standard will not siginficantly impact the  data.

In relation to embodied carbon, Siniat EPDs are Type III certified Environmental Product Declarations, compliant to ISO14025/ ISO21930 and EN15804. As such, they must display the data in a certain way.

The first step is to define the scope of your model. Are you considering the embodied carbon of a single product, or group of products, or the wider life cycle of a building? (which would include operational factors such as HVAC and electricity use). 

Embodied carbon is categorised as the Global Warming Potential (GWP) and it is measured as kg CO2 equivalent (kgCO2eq). Each EPD will state which ‘functional unit’ is used to quantify the impact. In the case of our products this is often per m².

In a product EPD, the total GWP is divided into a number of life cycle stages, known collectively as the ‘system boundary’. In the case of the data below, these are;

• The Product Stage – including impacts from raw materials and their transport; and any impacts associated with manufacturing.
• The Construction Stage – impacts from transporting and installing the product
• End of life – impact of removing, transporting and disposing (or recycling) the product when it is no longer needed.

Some EPDs also include figures for activities that may occur after End of Life (often known as ‘Module D’). This could reflect reuse scenarios for products or materials, or benefits derived from waste to energy processes. These may offset some of the total Embodied Carbon.

Embodied carbon is the total of these amounts, i.e. the greenhouse gas emissions arising from the raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building materials. 

The Construction Products Association has published a helpful guide and Etex is also a member of the Supply Chain Sustainability School which has some good resources.