NSF: Your Trusted PCR, LCA, and EPD Program Operator

EPDs play a pivotal role in green building certifications such as LEED and the International Green Construction Code. Using products with verified EPDs helps projects earn valuable points in the Material and Resources category, making them integral to sustainable construction. Partnering with NSF as an EPD Program Operator ensures that your environmental data aligns with globally recognized standards, improving your visibility in sustainability-driven markets.

As sustainability continues to rise in importance, NSF aligns with key initiatives like the EPA’s Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) in Construction Materials, Federal Green Purchasing, and Environmental Preferable Purchasing (EPP) programs. These initiatives reinforce NSF’s role in helping businesses meet both environmental goals and regulatory expectations, expanding their reach in eco-conscious markets while supporting compliance with essential sustainability certifications.

A critical component of any EPD is the Product Category Rule (PCR), which sets the standards for measuring environmental attributes of specific product categories. PCRs ensure consistency, transparency, and compliance with the ISO 14040-44 lifecycle assessment standards.

There are hundreds of existing PCRs for various product categories, including:

• Architectural coatings and powder coatings
• Concrete products
• Plumbing fixtures and fittings (bathroom fittings, showers, faucets)
• Stormwater and sewer piping systems
• Gypsum products
• Flooring systems

If your product does not fit an existing PCR, NSF offers expertise to facilitate the development of new PCRs. Working with industry experts, NSF ensures that new PCRs meet both ISO standards and the specific needs of the industry, enabling manufacturers to create EPDs that accurately reflect their product's environmental performance.

Whether using existing PCRs or developing new ones, NSF provides comprehensive support, simplifying the process for businesses to engage in sustainable practices and improve their market positioning.

In today's global marketplace, where sustainability is often a requirement, verified EPDs, developed in accordance with ISO 14025, ISO 21930, and EN 15804, give manufacturers a competitive edge. NSF helps businesses clearly communicate their environmental impact, positioning them for success in a sustainability-focused world.

As a leading PCR, LCA, and EPD program operator, NSF ensures third-party verification of all environmental data, in line with ISO 14040-44, and ISO 14025 and relevant Product Category Rules (PCRs). This independent verification provides the credibility needed to meet growing consumer demand for transparency and sustainability.

NSF not only provides EPD verification, but also serves as a trusted LCA Program Operator. Life Cycle Assessments are essential for identifying and improving a product’s environmental impact across its entire lifecycle. By partnering with NSF, businesses can ensure their LCA methodologies and results meet ISO standards, fostering confidence and trust in their environmental claims.

In addition to supporting North American market standards like ISO 21930, NSF also provides EPD verifications for the European market in compliance with EN 15804. This enables businesses to meet local regulatory requirements while expanding their reach into the European construction and sustainability markets. By adhering to both ISO 21930 and EN 15804, NSF ensures that your products are ready for global sustainability initiatives.

Choosing NSF as your PCR, LCA, and EPD program operator ensures that your products are verified to the highest standards, offering credibility and transparency. NSF helps you meet the growing demand for sustainable product certification, supports LEED certification efforts, and aligns your environmental claims with EPA programs and sustainability goals.