would need to be quite some knowledge required from the procurement departments in order to identify the best possible product for a certain application [3].
Environmental benchmark data is not readily available, which means that this
adds a layer of complexity for public authorities for product differentiation and
selection. With the risk of duplicating efforts and lack of consistency, public
authorities often use national/regional expertise in order to determine GPP criteria,
which can result in different regulatory frameworks, and a lack of harmonisation.
For public authorities, sustainability criteria must go beyond environmental
impacts, and must include social, humanitarian and economic aspects as well.
Weighting and characterisation of environmental criteria based on the significance
of the differences in environmental impacts are therefore a must [4].
3 Tool and Platform Development to Assist
in Interpretation of LCA and EPD Data
A number of industry sectors, depending on their maturity in the area of sustainability,
have built tool sets that help in assessing the overall sustainability impact of their
sector’s products, technologies and solutions. As a sector, it has therefore been possible to meet the growing demands related to the availability of data. The schemes as
developed and deployed in e.g. the steel industry have therefore resulted in collaboration and engagement, increasing transparency and improvements in environmental
performance, thus triggering innovation and continuous improvement [4].
Similarly, regional and federal governments (e.g. Germany) as well as building
certification schemes are developing databases and software packages that allow for
generic and product-specific data to be made available to different stakeholders to
allow them to assess the impact of new construction developments or maintenance
[5]. Not only have these tools reduced the cost of an LCA, but it ensures that LCA
is considered during the construction design and planning [5].
4 Discussion on Further Efforts to Integrate Data
from LCAs and EPDs in GPP
When considering the different options for integrating LCA and EPD in GPP
criteria setting and purchasing decision consistently within any given sector on
European level, the key element that must be considered is harmonisation:
• It is a must that schemes operated in different European countries work in the
same way and avoid setting national special features in addition to the standards
to allow companies to consistently report LCA and EPD data;
Using LCA and EPD in Public Procurement Within the Construction Sector
501
Environmental benchmark data is not readily available, which means that this
adds a layer of complexity for public authorities for product differentiation and
selection. With the risk of duplicating efforts and lack of consistency, public
authorities often use national/regional expertise in order to determine GPP criteria,
which can result in different regulatory frameworks, and a lack of harmonisation.
For public authorities, sustainability criteria must go beyond environmental
impacts, and must include social, humanitarian and economic aspects as well.
Weighting and characterisation of environmental criteria based on the significance
of the differences in environmental impacts are therefore a must [4].
3 Tool and Platform Development to Assist
in Interpretation of LCA and EPD Data
A number of industry sectors, depending on their maturity in the area of sustainability,
have built tool sets that help in assessing the overall sustainability impact of their
sector’s products, technologies and solutions. As a sector, it has therefore been possible to meet the growing demands related to the availability of data. The schemes as
developed and deployed in e.g. the steel industry have therefore resulted in collaboration and engagement, increasing transparency and improvements in environmental
performance, thus triggering innovation and continuous improvement [4].
Similarly, regional and federal governments (e.g. Germany) as well as building
certification schemes are developing databases and software packages that allow for
generic and product-specific data to be made available to different stakeholders to
allow them to assess the impact of new construction developments or maintenance
[5]. Not only have these tools reduced the cost of an LCA, but it ensures that LCA
is considered during the construction design and planning [5].
4 Discussion on Further Efforts to Integrate Data
from LCAs and EPDs in GPP
When considering the different options for integrating LCA and EPD in GPP
criteria setting and purchasing decision consistently within any given sector on
European level, the key element that must be considered is harmonisation:
• It is a must that schemes operated in different European countries work in the
same way and avoid setting national special features in addition to the standards
to allow companies to consistently report LCA and EPD data;
Using LCA and EPD in Public Procurement Within the Construction Sector
501