Skip to content
Contact us
 

 GCCA EPD Tool

The Global Cement and Concrete Association has developed an Industry EPD Tool designed to facilitate the construction sector’s ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact and support global sustainability goals.

It is a web-based calculation tool for draft Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) of aggregates, clinker, cement, concrete, and precast elements and available in two versions, the International and North American. Both versions comply with the respective EPD standards and PCRs.


The GCCA EPD tool can provide a “cradle-to-gate” (A1-A3) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for aggregates, clinker and cement, and a “cradle-to-grave” (A1-D) assessment for concrete
and precast products.

Try for free
  • Clinker
  • Cement
  • Concrete
  • Precast
  • Aggregates
Used by the largest cement and concrete producers and associations
HeidelbergMaterials
Cemex_logo
CRH_logo
PCA_Logo__Full_Blue_300
logo-mpa02
Holcim_Logo_2021_sRGB
logo-dark
logo
logo-argos

Benefits of GCCA EPD Tool

Simplify EPD creation

Streamlined process reduces time and cost of generating EPDs for clinker, cement, concrete, aggretates and precast.

Reduce verification cost

The pre-verification of the tool reduces the third-party EPD verification by as much as 50%.

Gain credibility

Back your sustainability claims with robust, third-party verified data.  

Meet market demands

Fulfil growing client and regulatory requirements for EPDs.

Enhance brand image

Position yourself as a leader in sustainable building practices.

Contribute to a greener future

Support the construction industry's transition to a low-carbon footprint.

Streamline Cement and Concrete EPD Creation

The traditional EPD process includes 5 stages with different responsibilities:

process-1

* The manufacturer manages all stages and liaises with many points of contacts
** The background report contains confidential information and is only used by the external verifier

Approved Pre-Verified LCA Tool
1681384867-epd-logo-2023

Features

Inventory data drawn from the Ecoinvent database v3.10 - no additional subscription required.

The tool also includes the GCCA GNR database - key data collected according to the CO₂ and Energy Accounting and Reporting Standard for the Cement Industry.

The outputs of the GCCA EPD tool are:

  • Self-declaration (not a validated official EPD), containing the main general/background information and the environmental performance (LCA results) of the specific product for all indicators.
  • Background report with the complete set of input data and results of the specific product required to produce an EPD and allow third-party verification.
  • Digtal EPD in ILCD+EPD format.

Version EPD Standard PCRs LCA Standard Independent Verification Standard Independent Verifier
International ISO 21930

• Sustainability of Construction Works (EN 15804+A2 v2.0.1)

• Cement and building lime (EN 16908)

• Concrete and concrete elements (EN 16757)

ISO 14040

ISO 14044

 ISO 14025 Studio Fieschi
North American

• PCR for Portland, Blended, Masonry, Mortar, and Plastic (Stucco) Cements (NSF International)

• PCR for Concrete (NSF International)

• PCR for Precast Concrete (NSF International)

Athena Sustainable Materials Institute

 

The International version was verified by Studio Fieschi and is a recognised pre-verified solution by EPD International.

The North American version was verified by Athena Sustainable Materials Institute.

The Application Program Interface (API) can assist in automating the EPD production and publication process.

 

The available documentation includes:

  • User Guide

The downloadable PDF user guide provides comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for using the tool, covering everything from login to generating reports. It is designed for convenient offline reference.

  • LCA Model Report

This report offers a detailed and transparent overview of the LCA model and its underlying database. It includes all necessary technical information to fully understand the lifecycle assessment calculations.

  • LCA Database

The LCA database section provides access to detailed background data, supporting transparency and traceability for all calculations within the tool.

  • Verification Report

The verification report is issued by an independent verifier in accordance with EPD International’s requirements.

  • Simplified Verification Report

The Simplified Verification Report is required by EPD International to streamline verification for EPDs generated with the tool.

 

concrete-epd-tool.org_intl_concrete_59333_materials(Surface Pro 7)

1 Primary data collection/input is through a user-friendly cloud-based platform. The tool is consolidated and user-friendly; it does not require LCA expertise.

concrete-epd-tool.org_intl_concrete_59333_materials(Surface Pro 7) (1)
2 Create new files and manage them in the EPD dashboard. Share your files with colleagues inside your company.
concrete-epd-tool.org_intl_concrete_59333_materials(Surface Pro 7) (4)
3 Detailed documentation covering LCA model and underlying data available.
concrete-epd-tool.org_intl_concrete_59333_materials(Surface Pro 7) (2)
4 A total of 42 environmental indicators (impact categories) are considered.  The indicators are classified into:
+ Environmental impact categories (core + additional)
+ Parameters describing resources use
+ Other environmental information describing waste categories
+ Other environmental information describing output flows
concrete-epd-tool.org_intl_concrete_59333_materials(Surface Pro 7) (3)
5 The detailed breakdown provides a comprehensive analysis and can help understand the contribution of individual materials components.

The GCCA’s EPD tool will help towards its mission of ensuring
that concrete is seen as the sustainable building material of
choice for today and the future needs of the world.