EPDs in Lighting: Shining a Light on Transparency

EPDs in Lighting: Shining a Light on Transparency

EPDs transparently report a product's full life-cycle environmental impact. Learn the three EPD levels and how QTL uses third-party verified EPDs in lighting. Three-bullet key takeaways: An EPD transparently reports a product's environmental impact across its full life cycle, based on a life-cycle assessment (LCA). Three levels exist: self-declared, third-party verified, and industry standard; QTL offers third-party verified EPDs and helps develop industry standards via the GreenLight Alliance. QTL's sustainability commitment extends beyond EPDs to Declare labels, RoHS compliance, and JA8/Title 24 support.

2 minutes

Driven by enlightened thinking, QTL pioneers sustainable solutions that ensure a better, brighter tomorrow for all. This core value has been the guiding light behind our innovations. Our architectural LED lighting products have always been inherently more sustainable due to their low energy usage and long lifecycles. 

What is an EPD?

An EPD is a document that transparently reports the environmental impact of a product or material, based on a product life-cycle assessment (LCA). The LCA evaluates the environmental effects throughout the product's lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal.

There are different levels of EPDs: 

  • Self-Declared EPDs: Published by individual companies without independent verification, these EPDs may have lower credibility due to a lack of external oversight.
  • Third-Party Verified EPDs: These company-specific EPDs have been reviewed and validated by independent experts, making them a helpful and trustworthy source of information. These EPDs are particularly valuable in industries where standardized EPD models are not yet established. For example, the lighting industry, facing the technical complexities of LED products, has seen slower adoption of EPDs, and currently lacks finalized industry standards. Consequently, QTL currently offers only Third-Party Verified EPDs.
  • Industry Standard EPDs: Often considered the most robust, these EPDs are developed by impartial third-party experts who collect data from multiple companies within an industry. This process ensures a consistent and comprehensive framework for reporting environmental information.
    • QTL is actively contributing to the development of Industry Standard EPDs for LED lighting as a proud member of the GreenLight Alliance, a dedicated think tank. This collaborative pilot study unites industry experts to address the environmental impact of our designs.

Understanding the Language of Sustainability: How to Read an EPD

EPDs provide valuable insights about a product’s environmental performance at a glance. However, EPDs may vary in appearance depending on the Product Category Rules (PCRs) they follow and the program operator that publishes them.

An EPD includes the following information:

  • General information: Includes details about the manufacturer, the product, the reference standards, and the EPD scope.
  • Product lifecycle information: Provides details on the lifecycle modules covered by the EPD.
  • Life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology: Explains the methodology used to assess the life cycle.
  • LCA background information: Includes assessment of data quality and interpretation of results.
  • Environmental impact data: Presents data on the environmental impacts identified in the assessment.
  • Verification statement: Contains the statement verifying the accuracy and validity of the EPD data.

Beyond EPDs: Our Holistic Approach to Sustainability

At QTL, we believe that lighting should do more than illuminate spaces; it should contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond obtaining EPDs. We are proud that the vast majority of our lighting products and power supplies offer Declare labels. We also offer RoHS compliant lighting solutions and products that meet JA8 and Title 24 requirements, further demonstrating our commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Explore our comprehensive sustainability initiatives to see how QTL is lighting the way to a greener future. When we light with purpose, we build with impact.

FAQs

What is an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration)?

An EPD is a document that transparently reports a product's environmental impact across its full life cycle, based on a life-cycle assessment (LCA). The LCA evaluates environmental effects from raw material extraction through disposal.

What are the different levels of EPDs?

There are three: self-declared, third-party verified, and industry standard.

  • Self-Declared EPDs are published by individual companies without independent verification, so they carry lower credibility due to the lack of external oversight.
  • Third-Party Verified EPDs are company-specific EPDs reviewed and validated by independent experts, making them a trustworthy source — especially valuable in industries like lighting, where standardized EPD models aren't yet established.
  • Industry Standard EPDs are developed by impartial third-party experts who pool data from multiple companies in an industry, creating a consistent, comprehensive reporting framework. These are generally considered the most robust.
What level of EPD does QTL offer?

QTL currently offers Third-Party Verified EPDs. Because the lighting industry faces technical complexities with LED products and hasn't yet finalized industry standards, third-party verification is currently the most rigorous, trustworthy option available.

What information does an EPD include?

An EPD typically covers six components: general information (manufacturer, product, reference standards, and EPD scope), product lifecycle information (which lifecycle modules the EPD covers), LCA methodology (how the life cycle was assessed), LCA background information (data quality and interpretation of results), environmental impact data (the impacts identified in the assessment), and a verification statement (confirming the accuracy and validity of the data).

Why do EPDs look different from company to company?

EPDs can vary in appearance depending on the Product Category Rules (PCRs) they follow and the program operator that publishes them.

Does QTL's sustainability commitment go beyond EPDs?

Yes. Most of QTL's lighting products and power supplies carry Declare labels, and QTL also offers RoHS compliant solutions and products that meet JA8 and Title 24 requirements.