EPA’s Initiative to Boost Sustainability in Construction Materials and Products

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is poised to launch a grant program that’s geared toward enhancing the environmental product declarations (EPDs) for construction materials and products. This initiative, in alignment with the Inflation Reduction Act Section 60112, aims to bolster transparency and disclosure regarding embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data connected to these materials and products in the United States.

This grant program will be open to businesses engaged in the manufacturing, remanufacturing, and/or refurbishing of construction materials and products. Additionally, it’s available to U.S. states, territories, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations that can provide support to these businesses.

The EPA anticipates awarding up to 40 grants, cooperative agreements, and/or pass-through cooperative agreements during the fiscal year 2024. A pass-through entity, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR 200), is a non-Federal entity that provides subawards to subrecipients to execute part of a federal program.

The grants are categorized into five primary areas:

• Robust Data for EPDs: These projects seek to contribute new data or enhance existing data critical for producing robust EPDs.
• Robust Product Category Rule (PCR) Standard Development, PCRs, and Associated Conformity Assessment Systems: This category focuses on the development of robust and standardized PCRs, identifying the necessary data for EPDs, data collection methods, reporting standards in EPDs, and transparent and verification requirements for credible EPDs.
• Robust Tools & Resources for EPD Development: The projects within this category will work towards developing tools and resources that streamline the process of producing and disclosing robust EPDs, making it easier, faster, and more cost-effective.
• EPD Development and Verification: These projects will assist construction material and product manufacturers in creating robust EPDs. Some projects may involve manufacturers in producing such EPDs.
• Robust EPD Data Platforms and Integration: Projects in this category will support EPD reporting, availability, and verification. They will also aim to standardize various EPD systems and facilitate their integration into construction design and procurement systems.

The primary goal of this grant program is to enable fair comparisons between different construction materials and products by disclosing embodied GHG emissions based on comprehensive data. This will ultimately assist in the procurement of products with lower embodied carbon emissions, promoting sustainability in the construction industry.

This initiative arrives at a time when there is a growing emphasis on environmental sustainability and reducing carbon footprints across various industries, including construction. By providing support and resources for the development of EPDs and related infrastructure, the EPA seeks to encourage the use of construction materials and products that are more environmentally friendly.

This program is a significant step towards promoting sustainability in the construction sector and fostering the use of construction materials and products that have a reduced environmental impact. With the EPA’s support, businesses and organizations involved in the construction industry can contribute to a more environmentally conscious and sustainable future.