TORONTO—Interface, Inc. announced that the company is on track to complete environmental product declarations (EPDs) for 90 percent of its total products, measured by production volume, by the end of 2011. The update comes as part of Interface’s pledge to obtain EPDs on all products globally in 2012, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to product transparency.
“With the multitude of labels and claims in the marketplace, only EPDs offer full transparency and allow customers to evaluate products based upon verified facts,” said Dan Hendrix, president and CEO of Interface, Inc. “Adopting EPDs is one way we are responding to confusion in the marketplace and offering a trustworthy tool for customers. Our hope is that they will take advantage of EPDs to make decisions comparing and favoring products that have smaller footprints, while using more sustainable products for their projects.”
An EPD is a third-party verified report derived from a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA), which outlines the product “ingredients,” detailing where each material comes from, as well as the environmental impacts across a product’s life cycle. Similar to how nutrition labels help consumers compare the health benefits of food items; an EPD enables buyers to compare product environmental impacts. Impacts such as energy and material consumption, waste generation and emissions are measured throughout the entire life of a product. Interface was the first carpet tile manufacturer to receive verified EPDs.
Commitment Made in 2010
In November 2010, Interface committed to implement EPDs for all products by 2012. Products include those manufactured for the commercial and institutional markets under the InterfaceFLOR and Bentley Prince Street brands and for residential markets as FLOR. The global EPD pledge is also part of “Mission Zero,” Interface’s promise to eliminate any negative impact its companies may have on the environment by the year 2020. Through its Mission Zero pledge, Interface is working to reduce the environmental impacts of products throughout their lifecycle.
“We are taking legitimate steps forward here and across the globe,” said John Wells, president and CEO, Interface Americas. “Interface is creating new standards of accountability with its commitment to EPDs. It is no longer enough to report the positive impacts of a product. Full disclosure is the only way to create and support an authentic message in today’s marketplace.”
Building sector executives are increasingly considering environmental credentials for all products in their purchasing decisions in order to meet regulations and green building requirements. Choosing between the varieties of claims from “natural” to “carbon negative,” however, can be difficult. EPDs allow buyers to make informed decisions about the true environmental impacts of products, based upon confirmed facts. EPDs provide objective and comparable information about different products, while complying with internationally recognized standards. The LCA must be conducted in accordance with ISO 14040 and the EPD must be produced in accordance with ISO 14025. Both the LCA and EPD are verified by an independent third party.
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