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EXTERNAL ENVELOPE
In practice, verifi cation involves independent accredited assessors scrutinising the underlying data and assumptions, requesting supporting evidence where needed and challenging any claims that cannot be substantiated.
Lifecycle support
Architects are increasingly expected to justify material choices at early design stages where decisions have a large impact on the total embodied carbon of a project. EPDs support this process by providing comparable data that can be integrated into decision making. Used correctly, they allow teams to identify where material substitutions or specifi cation changes can deliver meaningful reductions. Lifecycle stages A1 to A4, covering raw material extraction through to transport to site, are particularly signifi cant when assessing embodied carbon. These are the stages most infl uenced by material choice, yet they often receive less attention than how a building performs once it is in use. Robust EPDs bring this detail into focus, enabling a clearer understanding of the upfront carbon impact.
This is especially relevant when considering materials that are treated as standard or interchangeable, such as concrete blocks. In reality, variations in sourcing, manufacturing processes and transport can result in substantial differences in embodied carbon fi gures. Evidence based data challenges assumptions and highlights opportunities that might otherwise be missed. Increasingly, there are low-carbon block options available, but it’s important to ensure that claims are supported by verifi ed data.
Accreditation agenda EPDs also play an important role in supporting whole-life carbon assessments and environmental assessment frameworks, such as BREEAM – the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method – which is widely used to benchmark the environmental performance of buildings. These increasingly rely on verifi ed data, reinforcing the importance of robust information at the specifi cation stage. While an EPD alone does not secure credits, it provides the verifi ed information required to support compliance and demonstrate intent. More importantly, it strengthens the credibility of sustainability narratives presented to clients and stakeholders.
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Architects are increasingly expected to justify material choices at early design stages
As expectations rise, architects are being asked not only to reduce carbon but to prove how those reductions are achieved. Specifi cations supported by third-party verifi ed data reduce the risk of later challenge and provide clarity when decisions are revisited during procurement, construction or post-completion review. EPDs do not sit in isolation, either.
They fi t alongside accreditations for responsible sourcing standards, such as BES 6001, quality management systems and transparent supply chains. Together, these elements support a rigorous approach to specifi cation that aligns environmental ambition with practical delivery. Products supported by independently verifi ed EPDs and BES 6001 certifi cations with strong scores (i.e. Very Good or Excellent) can help projects achieve higher BREEAM ratings. This joined up evidence base is becoming more important as sustainability considerations are assessed not just at the planning stage, but throughout procurement, construction and post- completion review. In this context, the ability to demonstrate how and why materials were specifi ed carries growing weight, particularly on complex projects. The conversation around environmental claims isn’t going away. If anything, it’s intensifying. As reporting requirements tighten and industry understanding matures the architects who can confi dently read, question and compare EPDs will fi nd themselves better equipped to defend decisions, secure client confi dence and deliver projects that withstand scrutiny long after completion. This isn’t about adding administrative
tasks. EPDs offer architects greater control over carbon outcomes and stronger evidence to support design intent. In an environment where sustainability claims are being questioned more rigorously, verifi ed data becomes a strategic advantage. The practices that embrace this now will be specifying with clarity and credibility while others are still catching up.
Marvyn Candler is SHEQ manager at Lignacite
ADF MARCH 2026
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