Across Europe, the availability and transparency on product environmental parameters is becoming a question of market access. As new EU regulations tighten demands and expectations for environmental data, the ability to assess, declare, and improve product impacts is no longer a technical exercise. It’s a strategic one.
At a recent seminar organised by the Estonian Association for Environmental Management (EKJA) and Sustinere, Taavi Vaasma, Senior Environmental Expert and Partner at Sustinere, explained how companies can prepare for this shift. Drawing on years of experience advising manufacturers from Harju Elekter and Estiko-Plastar to Bauroc, he outlined three important aspects for companies to pay attention to when looking to strengthen their readiness for life cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental product declarations (EPD).
1. Understand what your clients are asking for
Many companies are already being asked about the environmental footprint of their products. But the level of detail varies. Some clients seek a general overview of product carbon footprint, others make inquiries for just the existence of an EPD, while some request specific numeric values from the existing EPDs.
“Before investing in complex models, it’s essential to understand what your market really demands,” Taavi said. “Map out what is being asked today and what will be asked tomorrow. That’s where your first steps should come from.”
2. Recognise how missing product related data can affect your business
From 2026 onwards, the revised EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) will make LCAs and EPDs increasingly important across the EU.
Countries like Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands already require or emphasise the value of EPDs. Especially in public procurement.
Without credible data on the product impacts, expansion to export markets can become difficult, particularly for building materials and construction products. “This trend will not stop with construction,” Taavi noted. “As regulation expands, the type and number of products covered will grow significantly.”
3. Start taking first actionable steps already
Even if you are only starting out, there are several concrete actions to take.
- Identify client expectations and the environmental data they need about your products, especially in export markets.
- Analyse competitors to see how they are approaching product impact assessment and EPD development. The number of EPDs on the market is increasing rapidly, get acquainted with the market practice.
- Review your product portfolio and identify where the first demand or risk is likely to arise. Begin with your main products and expand as you gain experience.
- Plan ahead, as the EPD creation process takes time. Companies that already collect and structure data will be in a stronger position when requirements tighten.
Taavi pointed out that these early steps often enough lead to the idea of creating an in-house life cycle model. It can give companies a full overview of material and energy input-output flows, reveal which processes or materials contribute most to the overall footprint, and make data collection easier in the long run.
“Once you have a working life cycle model, you can start testing real alternatives,” Taavi explained. “You see how changes in materials or design affect the footprint and what gives the best result for both cost and impact. It can be a tool to track the efficiency of your production and highlight accompanying impacts as well as priority areas to address for reducing the impact.”
Look ahead, not just around
The companies that succeed in this transition will be the ones that link LCA and EPD work with product innovation, procurement, and R&D. Early movers are already seeing tangible benefits: they know their data, understand where the biggest impacts occur, and can respond faster when clients or regulators demand proof.
For manufacturers and suppliers across sectors, lifecycle thinking is becoming part of everyday business. By understanding what the market asks, recognising regulatory shifts, and taking early, structured steps, companies can ensure they stay competitive and credible in the years to come.