Veer Plastics Pvt Ltd manufactures various plastic-based materials, including Roofing Underlayment, Building Wraps, Flashing Tapes, and FIBC bags. Veer Plastics enlisted Monk Spaces to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and develop an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) to meet export requirements and adopt environmental transparency. The assessments were conducted per ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.

Conducting these assessments for Veer Plastics involved the following steps:

1. PCR Identification – The assessment begins with identifying UN Central Product Classification (CPC) codes and Product Category Rules (PCR) for the products. The International EPD System develops the PCRs and defines mandatory requirements for system boundaries and impact indicators. The PCR 2019:14 for construction products requires the declaration of modules for manufacturing (A1-A3), end-of-life (C1-C4), and benefits (D). Meanwhile, FIBC bags were assessed as per PCR 2019:13 – Packaging, which mandates declaration of production (A1-A3), forming (A4-A5) and end-of-life (C1-C3) stages. These mandated modules established clear boundaries for data collection across various stages of the product lifecycle.
2. Data collection – Based on requirements defined by both PCRs, a comprehensive data sheet was developed for the manufacturer’s convenience. It encompasses raw materials procurement, transportation, annual production, energy sources, waste generation and recycling details for all products. The comprehensive sheet simplified the data collection process and reduced the time required.
3. Conducting LCA – Once the data was collected, separate LCAs were prepared: one for the three construction products and another for the FIBC bag. The environmental impacts are quantified using One Click LCA and Ecoinvent database across core categories, natural resources, waste, and output flows. These quantitative findings are then integrated into the LCA reports, and recommendations for both reports are made separately.
4. EPD Development – The three construction products are averaged into one product to publish an EPD. This averaging was possible because of similarities in the three products’ raw material composition and manufacturing processes. The LCA results and other information for the average representative construction product are compiled for the EPD. The EPD compiled follows the declaration requirements of PCR 2019:14, EN 15804:A2 and General Programme Instructions from the International EPD System.
5. EPD Verification – The EPD underwent third-party verification by an accredited verifier associated with the International EPD System. Wherever required, modifications were made as per the verifier’s feedback. Effective coordination with the verifier ensured comprehensive responses to all queries and timely provision of clarifications.
6. EPD Publication – Upon verifier approval, the EPD is uploaded onto the portal of the International EPD system along with product information, result templates, LCA report and verification statement. After approval from the EPD secretariat, the EPD was published titled “Construction Products (Roofing Underlayment, Building Wrap & Flashing Tape)“.