What document is key to standardizing the reporting of material impacts in LEED?

The key document for standardizing the reporting of material impacts in LEED is the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). EPDs provide transparent and comparable information about the environmental performance of a product or material, based on a life cycle assessment (LCA). This rigorously defined methodology captures data on a product's environmental impacts, including resource use, emissions, and potential effects on human health and the environment.

The use of EPDs in LEED helps project teams assess and compare the sustainability of various materials and products consistently across different projects. As manufacturers publish EPDs for their products, it aids in providing reliable information that can influence selection practices and support sustainable building design. In doing so, EPDs help in meeting various LEED credit requirements, particularly those that focus on reducing the environmental impact of materials.

While Material Safety Data Sheets provide critical safety and handling information, they do not focus specifically on the environmental impact of materials. Product Catalogs usually offer details about products' features and specifications but lack comprehensive life cycle data. Sustainability Reports may contain information related to a company's overall impact and strategies but do not standardize material impacts in the same way as EPDs do. Thus, EPDs serve as the gold standard for material impact reporting