DESCRIPTION
This CPD, presented by Masterspec in partnership with Edge Impact, provides architects and specifiers with a comprehensive guide to understanding environmental certifications and declarations, particularly Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs).
The presentation introduces the eCert tool within Masterspec, demonstrating how it simplifies finding, managing, and integrating verified sustainability documentation directly into project specifications. Experts discuss key considerations for evaluating building product certifications, differentiating between label types (Type 1 Eco-labels vs. Type 3 EPDs), and ensuring comparability and relevance when making informed material choices for sustainable building design.
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Introduction and Welcome - Mark Fairbairn (Masterspec)
• Brief overview of the webinar and the partnership with Edge Impact. Focus on sustainability documentation and the new eCert product.
1:03 - The Need for eCert: Solving Specifier Pain Points
• Addresses the challenges architects face in finding and assessing sustainability information, a
• Explains how Masterspec ensures the data in eCert is accurate, current, and third-party verified.
• Details how eCert syncs product documentation and integrates it directly into specifications.
• Lists the various certifications and declarations currently supported by eCert (EPDs, Declare, Global Green Tag, etc.).
• Introduces Edge Impact and its expertise in lifecycle assessment and sustainability consulting.
5:18 - Scope of eCert & Comparison Toolset
• Explains the functionality of eCert as a comparison tool, allowing users to assess products early in the design process.
5:51 - eCert Demo: Finding and Comparing Products
• Walks through a live demo of how to use eCert within Masterspec, including searching for products, comparing documentation, and downloading sections.
8:08 - Adding Documentation from eCert to Specification
• Demonstrates how to automatically include eCert documentation in specifications, along with scheduling clauses and appendices.
9:14 - Customising eCert with Additional Documentation
• Shows how users can add their own documentation to the eCert appendix within Masterspec.
10:24 - Introduction to Jonas Bengtsson (Edge Impact)
• Hands over to Jonas Bengtsson from Edge Impact to discuss environmental certifications and declarations.
10:42 - Evaluating Building Product Certifications: Key Considerations
• Discusses the benefits of environmental labelling for manufacturers and customers, and the importance of third-party verification, scope, comparability, and relevance.
13:06 - Types of Environmental Labels: Product, Material, and Issue-Specific
• Explains the different types of labels, including product-specific, material-focused, single-issue, and multi-attribute labels.
14:34 - ISO Labelling: Type 1 (Eco-labels), Type 2 (Self-Declaration), Type 3 (EPDs)
• Details the ISO definitions for different types of environmental labels, highlighting the distinction between Type 1 Eco-labels and Type 3 EPDs.
15:07 - Types and Classifications of Environmental Labels
• There are three types of environmental labels that help the industry assess the environmental impact of materials.
17:55 - Environmental Certifications available in Masterspec's eCert
• 19:36 - EPD | What are Environmental Product Declarations and why are they important?
• 24:24 - How can I tell if the EPD is legitimate?
• 30:20 - Eco Choice Aotearoa
• 32:28 - Declare Label by Living Building Challenge
• 34:01 - Global GreenTag
• 36:35 - Toitū Envirocare
• 37:52 - FSC | Forest Stewardship Council
• 38:42 - PEFC | Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
39:18 - Resource: Ecolabel Index
• Largest global directory of ecolabels
40:21 - Q&A