Hi Elza, the slides are not there yet, I have forwarded them to my colleague who will make them available together with the recording.
Edit: The slides and recording for session 1 is now available!
Session 1 Q&A
Thanks for all the questions, everyone! We had 184 questions, so I filtered out the duplicates and combined the ones asking for similar things.
I’ve managed to narrow it down to 45 key questions that should cover what everyone wanted to know.
I categorised the questions according to the following topics:
- Bootcamp Logistics
- Fundamentals: Definitions & Core Concepts
- EPD Creation & Verification
- Regulations, Standards & Program Operators
- Software, Data & Tools
- Regional Questions & Special Cases
- Career, Learning & Professional Development
- Sector- or Method-Specific Questions
- Additional Clarifications
1. Bootcamp Logistics
(Recordings, slides, software access, sessions, exam, invitations, email requests)
1. Will the session be recorded, and will the recording be available afterward?
Yes. All sessions are recorded and uploaded to your Academy course page within about 24 hours. You can rewatch them anytime during the Bootcamp period.
2. Will the slides be shared after the session?
Yes. The slides will be available through the Academy course page after each session. They may also be sent by email, but the course page is the main source.
3. If I can’t attend a session live, can I review it later?
Absolutely. All Bootcamp sessions are recorded and available on-demand. You can catch up at any time.
4. Will I get invitations for the upcoming sessions?
Yes. Registered participants receive automatic reminders and links for each session. You can also join directly from the Academy if emails don’t arrive.
5. Can the slides and recordings also be emailed directly?
They are primarily available on the Academy course page.
6. Will I have access to One Click LCA for practice?
Yes. You’ll receive temporary access during the Bootcamp to complete exercises and explore the software.
7. Is the exam free?
Yes. The exam is included and free of charge for all Bootcamp participants.
8. Is the exam open book?
Yes. You can reference your notes, slides, or course materials. The exam is designed to check understanding—not memorization.
2. Fundamentals: Definitions & Core Concepts
(LCA, EPD, embodied carbon, cradle-to-gate, A2, data sources, PCRs, LCI, etc.)
9. What is embodied carbon?
Embodied carbon refers to greenhouse gas emissions from material extraction, manufacturing, transport, and construction, everything before a building becomes operational. It also includes end-of-life impacts. It’s a major contributor to total building emissions.
10. What’s the difference between an LCA and an EPD?
An LCA is a complete environmental assessment of a product or system. An EPD is a standardized, verified document that publishes LCA results following specific rules. In short: LCA = study; EPD = official, publishable output.
11. What does A2 mean in EN 15804+A2?
A2 is an amendment that updates impact categories and requires cradle-to-gate with options as the minimum scope. It modernizes EPD rules and improves comparability.
12. Does cradle-to-gate cover A1–A3 only?
Yes. A1–A3 include extraction, transport to manufacturing, and manufacturing. Any other life cycle stage falls outside cradle-to-gate unless specified.
13. What are Product Category Rules (PCRs)?
PCRs specify how an LCA for a given product category must be conducted. They define functional units, system boundaries, impact categories, and data requirements.
14. What is the difference between LCI data (e.g., ecoinvent) and a Program Operator?
LCI datasets provide background environmental data. Program Operators define publishing rules, verify EPDs, and ensure compliance with standards like EN 15804.
15. What is biogenic carbon, and what LCA scope is needed to report it?
Biogenic carbon refers to carbon stored or released by biomass-based materials. Under EN 15804+A2, it must be reported consistently, typically in cradle-to-grave LCAs where all life cycle flows are captured.
16. Does a Design-Phase EPD count as third-party verified?
They can be verified, however Design-Phase EPDs support early assessments and are not verified final EPDs. They can later be converted into verified EPDs once enough production data is available.
3. EPD Creation & Verification
(Third-party verification, Sister EPDs, design-phase EPDs, allowed methods, data transparency, software use)
17. What’s the difference between a third-party EPD and a Sister EPD?
A standard third-party EPD is verified for a specific product. A Sister EPD applies when similar product variants fall within allowable variation limits, making it easier and more cost-effective to publish multiple related EPDs.
18. When is a Sister EPD used?
When multiple similar products share the same underlying production process and environmental profile with small differences. It simplifies publishing across a wider product line.
19. Who prepares EPDs and who performs verification?
Manufacturers or consultants build the LCA model and documentation. An independent verifier approved by a Program Operator reviews and verifies accuracy and compliance.
20. Is EPD creation allowed using automated tools under ISO 14025?
Yes, automation is allowed as long as calculations, data quality, and verification procedures meet all Program Operator requirements. Verification still involves a human expert.
21. Is independent verification manual or automated?
Verification is always manual. Tools like One Click LCA automate modelling and documentation, but verifiers still conduct formal reviews.
22. Can CO₂ factors or datasets be updated with new research?
Yes. You can revise your LCA using updated or more accurate data, provided it aligns with approved datasets. Revised results can then be used for EPD updates.
23. How does One Click LCA manage and validate its data?
The platform uses a rigorous Data Quality Process (DQP) to screen all public datasets before inclusion. Data is reviewed bi-weekly, and new datasets can be added upon request.
24. When creating an EPD, do we use LCI data while the Program Operator reviews methodology?
Yes. You use LCI datasets as inputs, and the Program Operator verifies that the LCA follows the appropriate PCR and meets all verification criteria.
4. Regulations, Standards & Program Operators
(EN 15804, ISO 14025, region-specific rules, CPR, EPD Hub, accessibility)
25. Are EPD requirements EU-wide, and what about the US and UK?
EPD rules in Europe are not mandated EU-wide, but almost all European and UK construction-product EPDs follow EN 15804+A2, because it is the recognized harmonized standard for the sector. Each country may still apply national complements or database requirements (such as France’s FDES or Germany’s Ökobaudat), but the underlying methodology is the same. In contrast, the US mainly uses ISO 21930-based PCRs and operator-specific rules rather than EN 15804. So, the UK is aligned with Europe, while the US follows a different standard family.
26. Are all EPDs publicly available?
Most are, but not all. Manufacturers can choose to keep EPDs private while still verifying them, sharing only with selected clients or projects.
27. Is EPD Hub part of One Click LCA?
EPD Hub is an independent Program Operator partnered with One Click LCA. They work closely together but operate separately.
28. Why do different Program Operators use different PCRs?
Regional practices, regulations, and industries differ, so harmonizing all PCRs globally is difficult. Efforts toward alignment exist but aren’t universal.
29. What will the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR) mean for EPDs?
The CPR is expected to increase environmental reporting requirements. EPDs will likely become even more important as the regulation strengthens product-level transparency.
30. Is there one single global portal for all EPDs?
No. EPDs are published across multiple Program Operators. However, One Click LCA’s Materials Compass consolidates most global EPDs into one searchable library.
31. Are French FDES included in European EPD analyses?
Yes. FDES documents are aligned with EN 15804 and included in European market statistics.
32. What is the Dutch NMD?
The NMD is the Netherlands’ national environmental database used for building LCAs and product compliance. It provides verified environmental profiles for use in Dutch projects.
5. Software, Data & Tools
(Materials Compass, PCFs, access, datasets)
33. Does Materials Compass include Middle Eastern materials?
Yes. It includes EPDs from many regions, including the Middle East, depending on available publications.
34. Does One Click LCA provide Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs)?
Yes. One Click LCA can produce PCFs following ISO standards, making it relevant far beyond construction.
35. Can generic database data be used as generic EPDs?
Generic LCA datasets like ecoinvent or GaBi cannot be used as EPDs. They do not follow a PCR, are not verified, and are not published through a Program Operator, so they don’t meet ISO 14025 or EN 15804 requirements. They are useful for early modelling or benchmarking only.
However, some regions provide generic EPD databases—such as ICE (UK), EPiC (Australia), or Ökobaudat (Germany)—which are structured like EPDs, follow a defined methodology, and can be used as compliant EPD proxies where local rules allow. These sources act as standardized generic EPDs but are not substitutes for product-specific EPDs when those are required.
6. Regional Questions & Special Cases
(Asia, Australia, US, UK, cross-sector collaboration, transport, specific products)
36. Are there EPD or LCA requirements in Asia?
Yes, but they vary. Japan, South Korea, and Singapore have well-established programs, while other countries rely on ISO frameworks. The region is growing rapidly in embodied carbon regulation.
37. Can EPD Hub be used for products manufactured in Australia?
Yes. EPD Hub accepts submissions globally and is widely recognized. Some Australian projects may still have local requirements.
38. Are the Dell laptop EPDs updated?
It depends on the model and publication date. EPDs include a validity period (usually five years). You can check the latest versions on IBU or Dell’s sustainability resources.
39. What is an example of cross-sector collaboration for EPDs?
An example is when manufacturers collaborate with construction companies or chemical suppliers to collect primary data. This improves accuracy and highlights areas for improvement.
7. Career, Learning & Professional Development
(Career advice, training options, certifications)
40. How can I start a career in LCA and EPDs?
Start with foundational LCA knowledge and key standards like EN 15804 and ISO 14040. Hands-on experience using software such as One Click LCA strengthens your profile. Bootcamps, certifications, and academic coursework are excellent next steps.
41. What courses teach the full LCA and EPD process?
The One Click LCA Bootcamp and Academy courses provide end-to-end training, including hands-on modeling. Many universities and sustainability institutes also offer LCA programs and micro-credentials.
8. Sector- or Method-Specific Questions
(Mining, scientific use, software comparisons, time savings)
42. Can mining operations benefit from conducting an EPD?
Yes. EPDs help mining operations quantify environmental impacts, support procurement requirements, and identify reduction opportunities, particularly in energy- and material-intensive processes.
43. Can EPD or LCA data be used in scientific papers?
Yes. EPDs are publicly accessible and widely used in academic research. Always cite the Program Operator and publication year.
44. How much time does One Click LCA save compared to other tools?
Users often report saving hours per LCA due to automated calculations, pre-verified datasets, and structured workflows. Time savings grow significantly with repeated EPD generation.
9. Additional Clarifications
45. Do Program Operators provide templates for EPDs?
Yes. Each EPD published through an Operator follows their standardized template and formatting to maintain consistency and compliance.