UL Environment Launching EPD Program

Northbrook, IL, Dec. 20, 2010 -- UL Environment, Inc., a subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories, said it will launch an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Program in January.

UL Environment's EPD program provides a mechanism to evaluate environmental claims on products.

Calling it the equivalent to a sustainability "nutrition label," an EPD is the documentation of an audited Life Cycle Assessment of the environmental performance of a product, based on approved product category rules.

Initial product categories that have expressed interest in this type of program include building products, lighting and textiles.

"With more than 300 certifications and eco-labels on the market, determining which products are truly green is next to impossible," said Stephen Wenc, president of UL Environment.

"Our EPD service will add credibility and alleviate market confusion by helping purchasers make informed decisions."

UL said that almost 75 percent of architects and designers cited the comprehensive evaluation of a product's environmental impact as being absolutely essential in specifying a green product. .