The Importance of Environmental Product Declarations in Latvia

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are standardized documents used to communicate the environmental impacts of products throughout their life cycle. Based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, EPDs provide transparent and verified environmental data that helps manufacturers, designers, and developers make informed decisions about materials and products. These declarations follow international standards such as ISO 14025 and EN 15804, which ensure consistency in environmental reporting.

In Latvia, the demand for EPD certification has been increasing as sustainability requirements become more integrated into the construction and manufacturing sectors. Many Latvian companies export products to other European markets where environmental transparency is required in procurement processes and sustainability assessments. As a result, manufacturers often pursue EPD documentation to demonstrate environmental responsibility and compliance with international sustainability frameworks.

EPDs are particularly relevant in the construction sector. Materials such as insulation systems, concrete products, glass, metals, paints, and prefabricated construction components frequently require environmental documentation when used in sustainable building projects. Green building certification systems such as LEED and BREEAM also rely on environmental product data to evaluate material sustainability.

EPD consultants assist manufacturers with the technical process of developing these declarations. Their services typically include life-cycle assessment modelling, interpretation of Product Category Rules (PCRs), environmental data collection, documentation preparation, and coordination with independent verification bodies.

Several international consulting firms provide EPD and product sustainability services to organizations operating in Latvia. The following companies represent well-known consultancies involved in environmental product declaration development and sustainability advisory.

1. ERKE Consultancy

ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability consulting firm specializing in green building certifications, product sustainability, life-cycle assessment, and environmental product declarations. Established in 2007, the company operates from offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and London while providing consultancy services across more than 15 countries.

The company has developed significant experience supporting manufacturers with EPD certification across various product categories. These include construction materials, paints and coatings, insulation systems, aluminum building products, flooring materials, and prefabricated construction elements. ERKE’s work with manufacturers across multiple regions demonstrates its ability to manage complex environmental reporting processes in different regulatory environments.

ERKE’s consulting approach typically involves a structured process beginning with data collection from manufacturing facilities. The consultancy then performs life-cycle assessments to quantify environmental impacts associated with raw materials, energy consumption, production processes, transportation, and end-of-life scenarios.

The company has worked with internationally recognized manufacturers including Nippon Paint, Polisan, Çimsa, USG Boral, Betek, Durat Tiles, Aspen, and Lafarge Delsan. Through these collaborations, ERKE has completed numerous EPD certifications for products distributed in global markets.

In addition to EPD consultancy, ERKE also provides expertise in green building certification systems such as LEED, WELL, and BREEAM. This integrated knowledge allows the firm to connect product-level sustainability data with building-level environmental performance requirements.

2. ARUP

Arup is a global engineering and professional services firm founded in 1946. The company operates in more than 30 countries and offers services across engineering design, infrastructure development, environmental consulting, and sustainability strategy.

Within the field of product sustainability, Arup provides life-cycle assessment studies and environmental impact evaluations that support environmental product declaration development. These analyses help manufacturers quantify the environmental footprint of their products across different lifecycle stages.

Arup often works with construction material producers whose products are used in major building or infrastructure projects. Environmental product declarations can be required in such projects to demonstrate compliance with sustainability frameworks and procurement guidelines.

The company’s multidisciplinary teams combine engineering knowledge with environmental analysis, enabling integrated sustainability assessments for products and building systems.

3. WSP Global

WSP Global is a multinational engineering and consulting firm headquartered in Canada. With operations in more than 50 countries, the company provides services related to infrastructure, environmental management, and sustainability consulting.

WSP’s sustainability specialists support organizations with life-cycle assessments, carbon footprint calculations, and environmental product declaration preparation. These services help manufacturers understand the environmental impacts of their production processes and communicate this information in standardized formats.

Manufacturers working in construction supply chains often require EPD documentation to meet environmental transparency requirements in large building developments. WSP’s environmental consultants assist organizations in collecting data, performing environmental modelling, and preparing documentation required for certification.

The firm’s experience with global sustainability frameworks enables it to support companies involved in international markets where environmental reporting requirements are increasingly common.

4. Khatib & Alami

Khatib & Alami is an international engineering and planning consultancy established in 1959. Headquartered in Lebanon, the firm operates across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, offering services in engineering design, urban planning, and sustainability consulting.

The company’s sustainability services include environmental impact assessment, sustainability strategy development, and life-cycle assessment analysis. These technical capabilities contribute to the preparation of environmental product declarations for manufacturers and construction supply chains.

Khatib & Alami often works on large development and infrastructure projects where environmental performance is a critical consideration. Product-level environmental data can play an important role in meeting sustainability requirements for materials used in such developments.

The firm’s multidisciplinary approach enables environmental analysis to be integrated with engineering and project planning processes.

5. Ramboll

Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering and consulting firm founded in 1945. The company provides services across sectors including infrastructure, environment, energy, and sustainable buildings.

Ramboll’s environmental consulting teams conduct life-cycle assessments and environmental footprint studies that form the basis of environmental product declarations. These assessments evaluate environmental impacts such as energy consumption, resource use, emissions, and waste generation throughout a product’s lifecycle.

The company works with manufacturers and construction supply chains to improve environmental transparency and sustainability reporting. EPD documentation developed through life-cycle analysis allows organizations to communicate environmental data using internationally recognized standards.

Ramboll also contributes to broader sustainability initiatives such as carbon reduction strategies and circular economy programs.

6. Linesight

Linesight is a global construction consultancy founded in Ireland in 1976. The firm specializes in cost management, project management, and advisory services for complex construction developments around the world.

Although the company is primarily known for project and cost consultancy, Linesight frequently participates in projects where sustainability documentation and environmental reporting are required. Environmental product declarations are often part of these sustainability frameworks.

Developers and project owners increasingly request environmental data for materials used in large construction projects. In such cases, consultants coordinate with manufacturers and suppliers to ensure the availability of standardized environmental documentation.

Linesight’s involvement in international construction projects provides an understanding of how environmental data is incorporated into procurement and project delivery processes.

7. AtkinsRéalis

AtkinsRéalis is a global engineering and project management consultancy headquartered in Canada. Formerly known as SNC-Lavalin, the company provides consulting services across infrastructure, transportation, energy systems, and environmental management.

The firm’s sustainability advisory services include life-cycle assessment, environmental impact evaluation, and sustainability reporting. These services can contribute to the development of environmental product declarations for manufacturers and suppliers.

AtkinsRéalis works with governments, infrastructure developers, and industrial organizations that require reliable environmental performance data for construction materials and products used in large projects.

Through its multidisciplinary engineering expertise, the company supports organizations in integrating environmental considerations into project planning and material selection processes.

Summary

Environmental Product Declaration consultancy is becoming increasingly relevant for manufacturers in Latvia that need to provide transparent environmental performance data aligned with international sustainability standards. Consultants assist with life-cycle assessment modelling, environmental data analysis, and preparation of verified EPD documentation used in construction and manufacturing supply chains. Organizations operating in international markets often prioritize consultants with experience in global environmental reporting frameworks and large-scale project environments. Factors such as product category, manufacturing complexity, and regulatory requirements often influence consultancy selection.

Companies mentioned in this article include:

  1. ERKE Consultancy
  2. ARUP
  3. WSP Global
  4. Khatib & Alami
  5. Ramboll
  6. Linesight
  7. AtkinsRéalis

The appropriate consultancy generally depends on consultancy needs, project requirements, and organizational resources such as team size and sustainability budget.

By Admin