How to Get an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in the UAE
Getting an EPD is not complicated. But most manufacturers don't know where to start. This guide walks you through every step — from data collection to published EPD.
What Is the EPD Process, Exactly?
An EPD follows a fixed process defined by ISO 14025. You cannot skip steps. Each stage builds on the one before it.
Here is the full process in order:
Product Category Rule (PCR) selection
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study
Publication on a programme operator database
Most UAE manufacturers complete this in 8 to 20 weeks. Let's go through each step.
Step 1 — Define Your Product Scope
Before anything else, decide what product you are declaring. Be specific.
Is this one product or a product range?
What is the functional unit? (e.g., 1 tonne of cement, 1 m² of tile)
Which markets will use this EPD — UAE, GCC, EU, or all three?
Does your client need LEED v4, Estidama, or export compliance?
A tile manufacturer in Ras Al Khaimah making 40 SKUs does not need 40 EPDs. Group similar products. One EPD can cover a range if the production process and raw materials are similar.
Getting this right at the start saves weeks of rework later.
Step 2 — Select the Right Product Category Rule (PCR)
A PCR sets the rules for your EPD. It tells you which environmental indicators to measure and how to present the data.
Every product category has its own PCR. Examples:
Concrete products — EN 16757
Steel — EN 15804 + steel PCR
Paints and coatings — specific PCR from EPD International
Insulation — EN 15804 + insulation PCR
You do not choose your PCR freely. The programme operator — such as EPD International, IBU, or NSF — assigns the correct PCR for your product type.
If no PCR exists for your product, the programme operator creates one. This adds time but is rare for common construction materials.
Step 3 — Collect Your Production Data
This is where most manufacturers slow down. You need accurate, recent production data.
Raw material quantities per unit of product
Energy consumption — electricity, gas, diesel
Waste generated — type and quantity
Transport distances for raw materials and finished goods
The data must cover a full 12-month production period. The most recent year is preferred. If your process changed significantly, use the last 12 months only.
A cement plant in Abu Dhabi would pull this data from their ERP system, utility bills, and supplier invoices. If your data is scattered, we help you consolidate it fast.
Step 4 — Conduct the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
The LCA is the core technical study. It calculates the environmental impact of your product across its full life cycle.
The LCA covers stages A1 to A3 at minimum:
A1 — Raw material extraction
A2 — Transport of raw materials to factory
A3 — Manufacturing process
Some clients require A1 to C4 (cradle to grave) or even Module D (recycling potential). Check your client's requirements before starting.
The LCA uses certified software — SimaPro, OpenLCA, or GaBi. The background database is usually ecoinvent or the European Life Cycle Database (ELCD).
This stage takes 4 to 8 weeks depending on data complexity.
Step 5 — Prepare the EPD Document
Once the LCA is complete, the EPD document is drafted. It follows a fixed structure defined by ISO 14025 and EN 15804.
Every EPD document includes:
Product description and functional unit
System boundary (which life cycle stages are covered)
Declared environmental indicators (GWP, ODP, AP, EP, POCP, ADPE, ADPF)
LCA results in table format
Technical information and product specifications
Programme operator and verification details
The EPD must be clear and factual. No marketing language. No claims beyond what the LCA data supports.
Step 6 — Third-Party Verification
An independent verifier reviews your LCA and EPD document. They check that:
The correct PCR was followed
The LCA methodology meets ISO 14044
The data is accurate and traceable
The EPD document is complete and correctly formatted
The verifier is approved by the programme operator. You cannot choose your own verifier independently.
Verification takes 3 to 5 weeks. The verifier may request clarifications or corrections. This is normal. Budget one revision round into your timeline.
Once verification is complete, the programme operator publishes your EPD in their public database.
Major EPD databases include:
EPD International — global, widely accepted
IBU EPD — strong in Europe
NSF Sustainability — accepted for LEED in North America and UAE
The International EPD System — ISO 14025 compliant
Your EPD gets a unique registration number. It is publicly searchable. LEED auditors, Estidama consultants, and procurement teams verify EPDs directly from these databases.
The EPD is valid for five years from publication date.
How Long Does the Full Process Take?
StageTypical DurationScope definition3 to 5 daysPCR selection3 to 5 daysData collection1 to 3 weeksLCA study4 to 8 weeksEPD drafting2 to 3 weeksThird-party verification3 to 5 weeksPublication1 weekTotal8 to 20 weeks
A manufacturer with clean, organised production data finishes faster. A company with multiple sites or complex supply chains takes longer.
What Does an EPD Cost in the UAE?
EPD costs in the UAE range from AED 18,000 to AED 75,000 per product or product group.
Number of products — more products mean more LCA work
Data readiness — poor data takes more time to organise
Scope — A1–A3 costs less than A1–C4
Programme operator fees — vary by operator
Verification fees — paid separately to the verifier
The LCA study is the largest cost. Programme operator registration and verification fees are fixed and non-negotiable.
A single-product EPD for a straightforward construction material sits at the lower end. A multi-product group EPD for a complex chemical product sits at the higher end.
Which Programme Operator Should You Choose?
The right programme operator depends on your target market. Programme OperatorBest ForEPD InternationalGlobal, LEED, GCC, EU exportNSF SustainabilityLEED North America and UAEIBUEuropean marketsThe Norwegian EPD FoundationScandinavian projects
For UAE manufacturers targeting LEED projects and GCC contracts, EPD International is the most widely accepted. NSF is also strong for LEED compliance.
We help you choose the right operator based on your client's specific requirements.
Do You Need an LCA Consultant?
Yes. You need a qualified LCA practitioner to conduct the study. ISO 14044 requires the LCA to follow specific methodology rules. Errors in the LCA invalidate the EPD.
Look for a consultant who:
Has hands-on LCA experience in your product category
Uses certified software (SimaPro, OpenLCA, or GaBi)
Knows the UAE and GCC market requirements
Has managed EPD verifications before
A consultant who only knows EU EPDs may miss UAE-specific data gaps or local PCR nuances. Make sure they have regional experience.
Common Mistakes UAE Manufacturers Make
These are the mistakes we see most often:
Starting without a clear scope — leads to rework and wasted weeks
Using incomplete data — the verifier will reject it
Choosing the wrong PCR — invalidates the entire LCA
Ignoring client requirements — some LEED projects need specific EPD formats
Underestimating timeline — rushing verification causes errors
Avoid these and your EPD process runs smoothly.
Can You Get an EPD for an Imported Product?
Yes. If you import and distribute a product in the UAE, you can work with the original manufacturer to obtain an EPD. The manufacturer holds the production data. You hold the EPD for your local market.
Some manufacturers already have EPDs published in Europe. Those EPDs are often valid for UAE LEED projects. Check the programme operator and verify the EPD is still within its five-year validity period.
EPD Development and Verification — NSF Sustainability Series
EPD vs LCA — Key Differences
EPD for Construction Materials
EPD Guide for UAE, Saudi, and GCC Manufacturers
The process is clear. The timeline is fixed. The only variable is how ready your data is.
Contact us for a free scoping review. We check your data, confirm your PCR, and give you an honest timeline and cost estimate. No obligation.
WhatsApp us now at +971 54 313 9696.
