The Environmental Product Declaration: An Architect’s Technical Guide to Specifying Sustainable Buildings
European and market regulations require near zero-energy buildings. However, it is no longer enough to simply claim that a property is sustainable; this must also be proven with objective data. When specifying building envelope materials, whether for new builds or building refurbishments, Environmental Product Declarations have become an essential technical requirement. Having this information allows architects to demonstrate the environmental impact of the building materials throughout their entire life cycle and substantiate the project’s genuine commitment to the environment.
What is an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and an LCA?
An EPD is a document that provides key, transparent information on a product’s environmental performance. However, it is essential to understand that an EPD does not work in the same way as a conventional eco-label. It is not just a label automatically classifying a material as sustainable or low-impact.
An EPD is an informational statement. Its true technical value lies in the fact that it provides measurable and verified data based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Using these indicators, which analyze everything from the extraction of the clay to its service life on the façade and eventual recycling, an architect can compare equivalent products, explore alternatives and assess which is best suited technically to the project. In view of regulatory requirements, it is the definitive tool against greenwashing.
How does a façade’s EPD contribute to points for LEED, BREEAM and VERDE certifications?
The Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for our extruded architectural solutions GA16 (18 mm thick) and GA20 (20 mm thick) are registered and published on the International EPD System (with European recognition via the ECO Platform). These documents are valid worldwide and verify the data from the Life Cycle Assessment carried out by the Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC).
Having been developed in accordance with the strict principles of standard ISO 14025 and specific UNE-EN 15804 construction rules, our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) measure key indicators down to the millimeter: greenhouse gas emissions, ozone depletion, resource use (water, electricity, fuels) and waste generation. Architects seek this precise information for their specifications so they may score highly in the most demanding Green Building schemes.
Impact category
Materials and Resources (MR)
Materiales (Mat 01 and 02)
Energy efficiency
Direct benefit of an EPD
It contributes direct credits when prescribing products with a verified EPD
Direct acceptance of the product due to its international validity.
Facilitates zero-emission buildings and compliance with regulations.
Why is extruded ceramic the most sustainable architectural solution?
Opting for FAVEKER®’s ventilated ceramic façade systems is a technical decision that guarantees cost-effectiveness, innovation and responsible design. Relying on our EPDs makes it easier to choose an architectural solution with high added value and decisive competitive advantages:
- New-build and refurbishment: a ventilated façade is the most comprehensive solution for improving the energy efficiency of an existing building stock or for designing zero-emission buildings from the outset.
- Extreme durability: a ceramic cladding system has a service life of over 50 years, remaining unaffected by the elements. The longer the service life, the lower the overall environmental impact.
- Sustainable manufacturing and zero maintenance: we produce our GA16 and GA20 ceramic components using energy-optimized extrusion technology and high-quality clays. Furthermore, ceramic requires no repainting or chemical treatments, which drastically reduces the building’s carbon footprint throughout its operational life.
FAVEKER®: A Verified Commitment and Product Certifications
Nuestra responsabilidad va mucho más allá de la DAP y se integra en un modelo global de economía circular. Gres Aragón cuenta con un sistema de gestión ambiental certificado ISO 14001 por SGS y, desde 2022, ha obtenido la certificación Residuo Cero en sus tres centros productivos.
Apostamos por la mejora continua: mitigamos el cambio climático y maximizamos la reutilización de los residuos cerámicos, incorporándolos directamente a nuestro propio proceso productivo. Además, estamos inscritos en el Registro de Huella de Carbono del MITECO, un paso fundamental que nos permite calcular nuestras emisiones tanto de producto como de organización para establecer acciones reales de descarbonización.
| If you are drawing up construction plans and need to substantiate the sustainability credentials for your specifications, download the Environmental Product Declaration for our GA16 and GA 20 ceramic systems or contact the FAVEKER® Technical Office. We can help you integrate a ventilated façade into your project to achieve the highest certifications and design the architecture of the future. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding Environmental Product Declarations
What’s the difference between an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and a traditional eco-label?
An EPD is not simply a certificate that automatically classifies a material as ‘green’. It is a technical and informational document, rigorously verified by third parties and based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Its value lies in providing objective, measurable and transparent data so that architects can compare equivalent architectural solutions and technically justify the environmental impact of their project.
Do FAVEKER® ceramic panels help earn credits in refurbishment projects?
Yes, absolutely. Installing our ventilated ceramic façades on refurbishment projects drastically improves the thermal and acoustic insulation of the existing building, thus reducing the energy demand. As these materials are backed by an internationally verified Product Declaration (PD), they help transform older properties into zero-emission buildings, making it easier to achieve high ratings in certification schemes such as BREEAM, LEED and VERDE.
Where can I get EPD documentation for my project specifications?
The Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for our ceramic solutions are registered and published transparently on the International EPD System. You can download them directly from there or contact the FAVEKER® Technical Office, where our team will provide you with all the audited data and advise you on how to integrate a ventilated façade and maximize sustainability credits for your construction project.
