Which standard does LEED use to report the environmental impacts of products?

LEED uses Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to report the environmental impacts of products. EPDs are standardized documents that provide detailed information about the environmental performance of a product throughout its life cycle. They are based on Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), which measure the environmental impact of a product from raw material extraction through production, use, and disposal. However, EPDs present this information in a consistent format that allows for easier comparison across products.

Using EPDs aligns with LEED's focus on transparency and informed decision-making when it comes to selecting materials. They help project teams understand the ecological footprint of their choices and select products that contribute to sustainability goals.

While Life Cycle Assessments provide crucial data, the standardization of EPDs makes them the preferred choice in the LEED framework for reporting these impacts. Other options, such as Green Building Codes and Energy Star Ratings, relate to different aspects of building sustainability and performance but do not directly serve the purpose of reporting specific environmental impacts of construction materials.