Many manufacturers begin Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) projects without a clear strategy. The result is often delayed projects, unexpected costs, and underused software licences. 

In this article, we explain:

• What an EPD strategy is 
• Why EPD projects are often delayed 
• When EPD software makes sense 
• When consultancy support is more cost-effective 
• How manufacturers can scale EPD delivery efficiently

What is an EPD strategy?

An EPD strategy means having a plan for how a company will develop, manage, verify, and scale Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) across its product portfolio. It includes decisions around software, consultancy support, product grouping, budgets, internal resources, and long-term sustainability goals. 

An effective EPD strategy typically includes: 

• Number of EPDs required: now? And in the next few years?
• Product grouping strategy: how many products / ranges are you covering? Can your products be grouped for fewer EPDs?
• Internal vs external resource planning: what internal resources are available to work on EPDs? 
• Budget forecasting: what is your short- and long-term budget for EPDs?  
• Long-term scalability planning: to what extent do you want to develop longer term internal capability for EPDs?

Why are EPD Projects often delayed?

In our experience, many manufacturers dive into the world of EPDs without stepping back and landing on an EPD strategy first. This can result in overwhelm, delayed projects and unexpected costs.

EPDs are new to most and often needed fast and cheaply to fulfil tender requests. And with the luring promise from software companies to deliver just that, it makes sense to give it a go.

Many of our clients have done just that, struggle, and turn to us.

We then develop their EPD strategy collaboratively; this makes all the difference. We identify the right number of EPDs for your requirements. This can save your organisation time, money and endless headaches down the line.

Why are EPDs more complex than expected?

EPDs are more complicated than people initially think.  Just because they’re needed fast and cheaply doesn’t mean anyone can do them.

EPDs require real expertise, knowledge and deep-thinking. They involve deep understanding of supply chains, flows of materials and energy, and the physical and chemical properties of products as they transition throughout their life cycle. It takes years to build this practical knowledge. 

That’s not to say you can’t do it on your own. But it takes time and financial investment to build up this internal resource.

It’s an investment that may not be understood upfront when signing a multi-year software licence.  Importantly, it only makes sense to choose software and build internal resource if you’re planning to produce many EPDs.

So, when should you choose software, and what does it cost in reality?

When does EPD software make sense?

Choose software when you’re producing 30+ EPDs.

Any company wishing to purchase a software-tool must be looking to produce a very large number of EPDs - to benefit from economies of scale.

Bear in mind in most cases you commit to a multi-year licence required by software companies. So it would make no sense, commercially, to make that level of investment to produce a single EPD document.

Also, it is a major time commitment to produce EPDs. In our experience, we often hear from clients who’ve spent years trying to figure it all out, only to turn to us when the commercial pressure builds. 

Our advice is: if you take a software licence, be prepared to invest in a major way. It is not always as simple as swapping out consultancy for software.

What does EPD software really cost?

The process of producing EPDs is a major undertaking for any business. The total time and investment required is often underreported by software companies.

For example, the costs of EPD software could be broken down roughly as follows*:

1. Multi-year licence - £8,000 pa / 3-year term
2. Subscription to background database - £2,000 pa / 3-year term
3. Software on-boarding - £2,000 one-off fee
4. Third-party verification - £1,000 per EPD
5. In-house resource 0.25 FTE with £30,000 / year salary - £7,500

Assuming publication of 10 EPDs each year... 

• Total cost in year 1 – £29,500
• Total cost over three years - £84,500

*based on latest pricing of leading EPD software companies

This can be a valid strategy if you are looking to produce 30 EPDs. But it is still potentially more expensive than using a consultant and is certainly a bad commercial strategy if you are only looking to produce a handful of EPDs.

When should you use an EPD Consultant?

Choose an EPD Consultant for a smaller quantity of EPDs, where you want specialist support or are looking to develop bespoke tools.

EPD consultants are often the most cost-effective option when producing 1-30 EPDs. You save on annual licence fees, software onboarding, and significant internal staff time.

Like performing your own accountancy, plumbing or dentistry, EPDs are often best left to people with expertise.

Bespoke EPD Tools vs Off-the-shelf software

As EPDs proliferate, and the propensity to scale increases, strategies must adapt and evolve again.

You can see this in the software companies which are developing fully pre-verified tools (no additional EPD verification required).

At Cascade we are also evolving. Having already delivered over 100 EPDs, we are now developing bespoke internal tools specifically around a manufacturer’s own products, datasets, and workflows.

These are tailored tools and data systems designed specifically for their operational requirements. 

How Cascade helps manufacturers build EPD strategies

It is fundamental to understand and agree your EPD strategy up-front, before embarking on any EPD project.

In Discovery Calls with prospective clients, we take the time to listen to and understand each client’s commercial drivers and requirements. Every client is treated as unique.

We advise on possible product grouping and the best way forwards. In some cases, the answer is indeed a software solution. We are open-minded and genuinely looking for the best strategy for you.

We offer this as a free service at Cascade; and a fundamentally important one for anyone new to EPDs. Take the time to speak to someone with expertise in producing EPDs (not a salesperson).

Cascade has supported manufacturers across construction products with technically rigorous EPD and LCA delivery.

Need help defining your EPD strategy?

Unsure whether software, consultancy, or bespoke tools are the right fit?

Whether you need a small number of EPDs or a scalable internal solution, Cascade helps manufacturers develop practical, commercially realistic EPD strategies.

Book a free discovery call to discuss:

• product grouping opportunities
• software vs consultancy options
• likely EPD costs
• verification requirements
• scalable bespoke internal tools

We help manufacturers define commercially realistic EPD strategies before costly commitments are made.

Whether you need a handful of EPDs, or bespoke internal tools to support your own sustainability workflows, we help organisations develop practical solutions that are technically rigorous and commercially realistic.

Book your Discovery Call here

Or email us: hello@cascade-sustainability.co.uk