Although it may seem like environmentalism and sustainability have exploded in recent times, in fact, it’s nothing new. The concept of sustainability was first embraced in 1972 as a vision recognising the interconnectedness of social, economic and environmental issues.
In 1987, The World Commission on Environment and Development published Our Common Future, sometimes known as The Brundtland Report, through the Oxford University Press. This publication stressed that development meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
The pursuit of sustainability is a balancing act. It requires navigating policy, strategy, programming, and project implementation as a single issue while demanding changes to stakeholders’ mindsets, attitudes, and behaviours.
This is something that Dutypoint has achieved. We are committed to developing products that embrace sustainability and enrich everyone’s future and a prime example of this is our market-leading EPD-certified ScubaTANK®.
Let’s have a look at EPDs, LCAs, and our market-leading EPD-certified products in a little more detail.
EPDs Explained
Environmental Product declarations, or EPDs, are Type III declarations which are recognised as the standard baseline for environmental product comparison, sharing objective, transparent information about product’s carbon footprints, water footprints, and energy consumption.
Valid for five years after being awarded, EPDs showcase a manufacturer’s commitment to measuring and reducing the environmental impact of their products and services, helping consumers to make informed decisions about the products they buy.
Upon completion, the assessment is used to calculate an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in line with EN 15804 + A2, with both EPD and LCA being verified against strict, independent protocols.
EPDs and LCAs
Although EPDs are built around lifecycle assessment practice and methodology (LCA), their scope extends well beyond lifecycle assessment. Why? They must factor in any additional requirements from EN 15804 and other related standards and frameworks.
There are several types of EPDs that cover the different lifecycle product stages. They are defined as follows:
Cradle-to-gate EPD which focuses solely on the manufacturing process and material harvesting and features a minimal amount of lifecycle assessment data.
Cradle-to-grave EPD which covers the entire product lifecycle, specifically covering its maintenance and end-of-life. Anyone wishing to create a product EPD or utilise a manufacturer’s EPD should choose cradle-to-grave EPD.
Cradle-to-grave EPD with options which include the minimum requirements that are present in the cradle-to-gate option with several additional modules from cradle-to-grave EPD variations.
The Differences Between EPDs and LCAs
LCA (life cycle assessment) reports are one of the most common methodologies for quantifying sustainability. They provide a systematic analysis of environmental impact throughout the whole product, material, or process lifecycle. LCA models the environmental implications of industrial production. An accurate, comprehensive LCA provides valuable, sustainable data that decision-makers can use to support sustainability initiatives.
EPDs, or Environmental Product Declarations are typically shorter, simpler, verified environmental documentation used by organisations for in-house and external communications. They do not contain any sensitive company details or product information, like manufacturing processes.
The Commercial Benefits of EPDs
Within the construction industry, EPDs support carbon emission reduction by promoting comparative analysis of different materials and products. This allows decision-makers to select the most sustainable option for their projects while optimising product impact and showcasing transparency.
A voluntary Environmental Product Declaration is both internationally recognised and demonstrates a business’ commitment to environmental sustainability. Moreover, EPD-certified products benefit businesses in several different ways. These include:
- Market regulation: using or creating EPDs for a product or project
- Regulation and legal requirements: all public procurement bodies in the EU and EEA are required to use EPDs to assess a product’s environmental footprint
- Credits and certification: LCA credits are cost-efficient and easy to compare other credits’ requirements for your building’s certifications, and EPDs are also recognised by market-based systems
The Sustainability Benefits of our EPD-certified products
Let’s review how our EPD-certified products can add sustainable benefits to you and your projects.
ScubaTANK®
Our EPD-certified ScubaTANK® is the leading all-in-one tank and booster set. Below are the sustainability benefits you’ll reap when installing the system.
- ScubaTANK® promotes energy efficiency, whilst reducing your carbon footprint. Its variable-speed pumps ensure a low level of energy consumption. Additionally, the unit will power down when not in use and only use the minimal energy to satisfy demand.
- The improved electrical design results in reduced downtime in the event of system malfunction or failure. This can lead to less overall runoff pollution and habitat degradation.
- All ScubaTANK® parts are manufactured to the highest quality and are WRAS-approved. This promotes system durability and longevity, complying with the highest standards of UK water regulations for maximum water efficiency.
- As a British manufacturer, Dutypoint promotes transparent product traceability across its entire range, including ScubaTANK®, therefore customers can be assured of superior efficiency, longevity, durability, and finesse.
VRX Cold Water Booster Set
As of March 2025, our VRX cold water booster set is EPD-certified. But what does this mean for your project? Below are the sustainability benefits you can experience with our booster set:
- Delivered as one fully assembled and pre-tested unit, the VRX booster set minimises unnecessary packaging waste. Every component is securely housed in a single system, reducing on-site installation time and the need for excess materials. Additionally, all packaging used is 100% recyclable, helping reduce landfill waste.
- The VRX booster set is equipped with IE5 motors, offering best-in-class efficiency and longevity. These high-efficiency motors significantly reduce energy consumption, lowering both operational costs and environmental impact.
- Built with WRAS and KIWA-approved parts, the VRX booster set meets the highest industry standards for water safety and efficiency.
EPDs and Our Future
Environment Product Declarations (EPDs) will play a pivotal role as we strive towards a sustainable, eco-friendly future whilst continuing to leverage high-performing products.
By providing transparency and comparability while encouraging sustainable choices, EPDs help people make better, eco-friendly decisions about the type of products they use. This is exactly why Dutypoint has developed the market-first EPD-accredited ScubaTANK® all-in-one tank and booster set.
To learn more about EPDs or browse our selection of sustainable products like Dutypoint’s EPD combined tank and cold-water booster ScubaTANK®, get in touch with Dutypoint today.
