V4.2 EPD Option 2 example

Hi Sue, I know of only three examples: Owens Corning EcoTouch Unfaced Insulation, Kohler Highcliff, and USG Sheetrock EcoSmart Firecode X 5/8" Panels. It's interesting to note that the first two products were compared to previous iterations of the product, and the last product used values from the industry-wide EPD as the baseline.

Can any manufacturers comment? Do you have optimized EPDs in the pipeline? If not, what are the barriers to creating an optimized EPD.

Based on what I saw at Greenbuild, there's a lot of resources coming online recently that should help make finding these products easier.  For example, I've spotted a few on the Sustainable Minds Transparency Catalog database (while looking for other docs) that look to comply with Option 2 by having an "Embodied Carbon" tag on them.  I believe the new EC3 Database is designed with the intent of making it easier to find these kinds products as well.  I think more of the large product manufacturers are set up for this then I at least previously thought.

Another 3rd party web-site that is compiling LCA information is Green Circle.  The Green Circle website tracks several types of disclosures including LCA.  Even within LCA they have different types of certifications.

http://database.greencirclecertified.com/database/

Here is a couple of examples of their LCA certifications docs:

http://database.greencirclecertified.com/database/uploads/pdf/Asphalt+Systems+Inc+GSB-88+-+FINAL+-+GreenCircle+Cert-407.pdf

http://database.greencirclecertified.com/database/uploads/pdf/GlasBac-ic5.pdf

Looping back on this topic - I have been spending countless hours researching LEEDv4.1 compliant products- but without much success locating (10) viable product candidates for this Option 2 specific initiative.

I recently discovered that Sherwin Williams has published "Life Cycle Impact Reduction Action Plans" for numerous of their products. They are easy to miss- can be found on this NSF search page https://info.nsf.org/Certified/sustain/leedv41_search.asp

& in Paint docs under the "EPDAP" (EPD Action Plan) search: https://www.paintdocs.com/docs/app/web/page/docCategory

These "plans" seem to meet the general requirements outlined for LEEDv4.1, especially the details under "Additional requirements for Action Plan Optimization Pathway" section of Jan 2020 v4.1 Ref Guide....however, they don't overtly address the "critically reviewed" requirement noted under the Reference guide's initial Option 2 Action plan summary....??