Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) play an increasingly important role in the Australian construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. As sustainability requirements tighten and green building frameworks mature, EPDs provide transparent, third-party verified environmental information that supports responsible procurement, lifecycle-based decision-making, and compliance with international standards.

EPDs are developed through detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies in accordance with ISO 14025 and relevant Product Category Rules (PCRs). For Australian manufacturers and suppliers, selecting an experienced EPD consultant is essential to ensure accuracy, credibility, and international acceptance—particularly for products targeting export markets or certification-driven projects.

Below is a structured list of consultancies and programme operators that provide EPD-related services for organisations active in Australia. The ranking reflects global capability, technical depth, and relevance to EPD development rather than promotional positioning.

1. ERKE Consultancy

ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability consultancy with strong expertise in Environmental Product Declarations, Life Cycle Assessment, and product sustainability strategies. While headquartered outside Australia, ERKE works extensively with manufacturers supplying global markets, including companies exporting products to Australia or operating across the Asia-Pacific region.

Founded in 2007, ERKE has completed over 200 certified sustainability projects worldwide and has delivered dozens of EPDs across a wide range of product categories. The firm’s team includes LEED Fellows, LEED APs, WELL APs, EDGE Experts, and Product Sustainability Specialists, enabling technically robust EPD development aligned with international standards.

EPD and LCA Services

ERKE provides end-to-end EPD consultancy, including:

• Full cradle-to-grave or cradle-to-gate LCA modelling
• EPD documentation aligned with ISO 14025 and applicable PCRs
• Coordination with third-party verifiers and programme operators
• Support for EPD publication and periodic updates

Relevant Experience

ERKE has worked with global manufacturers such as Nippon Paint, Lafarge Delsan, USG Boral, Çimsa, Polisan, and Durat Tiles. This experience is particularly relevant for Australian projects where internationally comparable EPDs are required for building certification schemes and sustainable procurement frameworks.

Why ERKE Is Relevant for Australia

• Proven ability to deliver EPDs valid across multiple markets
• Strong understanding of construction product supply chains
• Experience supporting manufacturers targeting green building credits

2. EPD Australasia

EPD Australasia is the regional programme operator of the International EPD® System for Australia and New Zealand. Rather than acting purely as a consultancy, EPD Australasia provides the framework, governance, and registration services required for publishing internationally recognised EPDs in the region.

The organisation supports manufacturers, consultants, and verifiers by administering Product Category Rules, reviewing submissions, and maintaining the regional EPD database.

Scope of Services

• EPD programme operation and registration
• Guidance on compliance with International EPD® System rules
• Coordination of PCR development and updates
• Hosting and public disclosure of published EPDs

Role in the Australian Market

EPD Australasia plays a central role in enabling EPD adoption within Australia’s construction and manufacturing sectors. Many Australian EPDs are published through this system to ensure international comparability and acceptance.

Typical Use Case

EPD Australasia is most relevant for organisations that:

• Already have LCA and EPD documentation prepared
• Need programme operator support for registration and publication
• Require alignment with the International EPD® System

3. thinkstep-anz

thinkstep-anz operates across Australia and New Zealand as part of the global thinkstep sustainability group. The firm is well known for its data-driven approach to life cycle assessment, carbon footprinting, and sustainability performance measurement.

thinkstep-anz supports companies developing EPDs by providing technically detailed LCA studies that form the backbone of EPD documentation.

EPD and LCA Capabilities

• Life Cycle Assessment modelling and interpretation
• Product carbon footprint and environmental impact analysis
• EPD preparation support aligned with ISO and EN standards
• Integration with sustainability reporting and strategy

Sector Coverage

The firm works across manufacturing, construction products, infrastructure, and industrial sectors, making it relevant for Australian suppliers seeking technically rigorous environmental data.

Positioning

thinkstep-anz is particularly suited to organisations that:

• Require detailed and data-intensive LCA modelling
• Operate complex or multi-product portfolios
• Need integration between EPDs and broader sustainability metrics

4. Edge Impact

Edge Impact is an Australian sustainability consultancy with a strong focus on circular economy principles, lifecycle thinking, and strategic environmental planning. While not positioned solely as an EPD specialist, Edge Impact supports lifecycle-based decision-making that often underpins EPD development.

Their services are frequently used by organisations preparing for EPDs or embedding product transparency within broader sustainability frameworks.

Relevant Services

• Lifecycle assessment and environmental impact analysis
• Circular economy and resource efficiency advisory
• Sustainability strategy development
• Support for product transparency and reporting

Strengths in the EPD Context

Edge Impact’s work is most applicable where EPDs are part of a wider sustainability or circular economy initiative rather than a standalone compliance requirement.

Suitable Clients

• Organisations at early stages of lifecycle analysis
• Companies aligning EPDs with circular economy objectives
• Projects focused on strategic environmental performance improvement

5. SGS – Life Cycle Assessment Services

SGS is a global testing, inspection, and certification organisation with offices across Australia. SGS provides Life Cycle Assessment and environmental impact services that are often used as technical inputs for EPD development.

While SGS does not function exclusively as an EPD consultancy, its LCA services are relevant for manufacturers seeking verified environmental data to support product declarations and reporting.

LCA and Environmental Services

• Product and process life cycle assessments
• Environmental impact quantification
• Data verification and technical reporting
• Support for environmental disclosures

Market Role

SGS is typically engaged by organisations that:

• Require independently generated or reviewed LCA data
• Operate within regulated or compliance-driven environments
• Integrate EPDs into broader quality and certification systems

Summary

This article reviews key organisations providing EPD-related services relevant to the Australian market, including international consultancies, regional programme operators, and lifecycle specialists. ERKE Consultancy represents globally oriented EPD and LCA expertise suitable for manufacturers operating across multiple regions. EPD Australasia functions as the primary programme operator supporting EPD publication and governance in Australia and New Zealand. thinkstep-anz, Edge Impact, and SGS contribute technical lifecycle analysis and sustainability services that support EPD development at different stages of maturity.

The appropriate choice depends on project scope, product complexity, internal data availability, and whether EPDs are required as standalone disclosures or as part of broader sustainability and reporting strategies.

• Next