Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has set a new industry benchmark by publishing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for 50,000 of its electrical products, a move widely recognized as a record for the sector. These EPDs, which include lighting and lighting accessories, are now accessible through the One Click LCA platform, a leading sustainability and life-cycle assessment (LCA) tool used by architects, engineers, and construction (AEC) professionals worldwide.
Historically, the construction industry has faced a significant lack of environmental data for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) components, making it challenging to accurately assess the embodied carbon of buildings. While materials like concrete and steel have been well-documented, MEP systems-responsible for 15% to 50% of embodied carbon in commercial buildings and up to 50% in retrofits-have lagged behind in transparency. This data gap has hindered the ability of AEC professionals to make informed, sustainable choices during the design and construction process.
By making 50,000 EPDs publicly available, Schneider Electric has dramatically increased the volume of MEP product data on the One Click LCA platform, raising the total from around 20,000 to over 70,000 products. This comprehensive dataset enables AEC professionals to:
- Accurately assess the carbon footprint of their electrification and MEP choices.
- Integrate environmental considerations directly into project life-cycle assessments.
- Select products that align with sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.
Sorouch Kheradmand, Schneider Electric’s Global Head of Sustainability Partnerships, emphasized that the initiative is designed to make it as easy as possible for professionals to choose the most sustainable and suitable products for every construction project.
One Click LCA is a widely adopted sustainability platform in the construction and manufacturing sectors, offering automated LCA and EPD tools that support over 80 standards and certifications, such as LEED and BREEAM. Its global database now hosts more than 300,000 construction and MEP products, making it a critical resource for sustainability-driven decision-making.
Panu Pasanen, CEO & Founder of One Click LCA, praised Schneider Electric for leading the MEP industry by making such an extensive amount of EPD data available. He expressed hope that this move would inspire other manufacturers to follow suit, further advancing the industry’s ability to build sustainably.
The release of these EPDs is expected to have a transformative effect on the construction industry:
- It removes a longstanding barrier to accurate carbon assessment in building services
- It empowers AEC professionals to make data-driven, low-carbon choices at scale.
- It sets a precedent for transparency and environmental accountability in product manufacturing.
As the demand for rigorous environmental metrics grows, driven by regulatory frameworks like the EU Green Deal and market expectations, Schneider Electric’s initiative is likely to catalyze similar actions across the MEP sector and beyond. Schneider Electric’s publication of 50,000 EPDs marks a pivotal step in enabling low-carbon construction and fostering a culture of sustainability and transparency in the built environment.
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