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CSA Group announces first EPD

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World Cement,


The CSA Group has announced the registration of its first environmental product declaration (EPD). The EPD was registered by the Cement Association of Canada for general use and portland-limestone cements.

EPDs provide a standard way to communicate the environmental impact of available products and as such are an important part of the life cycle assessment of a building. EPDs can measure environmental impacts from raw material extraction to the end product. They take into account critical factors such as overall energy use and efficiency, the materials that were used to make the product, chemical substances, emissions and waste generation. EPDs are like the nutrition label on a food box: they help give a fuller picture of the environmental impacts of a product from beginning to end. With this information, architects and construction companies can make better informed choices, leading to the construction of greener and healthier buildings.

Making noticeable improvements in products in the built environment – the homes and offices occupied everyday – could have a dramatic impact on greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that these buildings are one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in North America, at more than 35%. To move toward a more sustainable future, EPDS and a life cycle approach to products can help to change the way building professionals select materials for new projects and give a picture of the overall viability of construction projects, and their long-term impact on the environment. It is estimated that by building green and updating existing buildings, North America could reduce greenhouse gases by 25%.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an international mark of excellence in green building and recognised by over 146 countries worldwide. LEED recognises that sustainability must be a part of the design, construction and operation of a building. EPDs play an important role in LEED’s rating system, and developing and using these declarations will help ensure more sustainable building practices now and into the future.


Adapted from press release by Joseph Green

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/29032016/csa-group-announces-first-epd-772/

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