Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 8 THE door industry journal summer 2024 Industry News dhf Advises on the Critical Role of Environmental Product Declarations Tamworth-based trade association Door & Hardware Federation (dhf) is once again stressing the importance of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). An EPD is an independently verified and registered document that communicates transparent and comparable information about a products’ life-cycle environmental impact. In summary, it measures a product’s environmental ‘footprint’. EPDs demonstrate the results of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), detailing the ‘cradle to grave’ environmental impact of all processes involved with the manufacture of a product. These can include extraction and processing of raw materials, transport, all elements of the manufacturing process, dismantling and waste disposal. “Although it is not yet compulsory to use EPD in the UK, the market is increasingly self-regulating as manufacturers seek to demonstrate carbon transparency and market their products accordingly,” explains dhf’s Commercial Director, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. “Participation in the EPD programme is essential if the construction industry is to meet the growing demand for greater sustainability. We are delighted to be able to support our Building Hardware Group members by offering generic EPD.” A generic EPD is typically offered by trade associations and features data for similar products produced by a range of manufacturers. It provides a cost-effective way for manufacturers to meet changing market conditions and can save tens of thousands of pounds. Back in June 2017, dhf was widely considered ‘ahead of the game’ in launching 14 generic EPDs, including ones for locks, door and window handles, hinges (single axis), lock cylinders, sliding door gear, window fittings, door closers, panic exit devices, letter boxes, padlocks, electromechanical hardware and push button locks and since then, the federation has been educating and informing the market about the role and growing importance of EPD in the sustainability process; a complicated subject, dhf has been plugging the ‘information gap’. This has effectively enabled members of the Building Hardware Group to meet changing market conditions. dhf is pleased to announce that the 14 EPDs have just been renewed and will be valid until March 2029. “Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) provide manufacturers with key differentiators in today’s market by enhancing their profile and demonstrating environmental commitments,” continues Patricia. EPDs offer quantified data on environmental impacts like embodied carbon and acidification, allowing manufacturers to exceed customer expectations with increased transparency. They promote product reputation through internationally recognised standards, support innovative product development by improving efficiency, enable comprehensive life cycle management and are recognised by building assessment schemes. EPDs also inform Building Information Modelling (BIM) software, aiding comparisons and improving a building’s environmental performance. “dhf continues to support the green agenda and is considering offering generic EPDs for other product groups. EPDs are considered crucial in demonstrating continued sustainability and providing reliable information so one product can be compared with another by looking at the various lifecycle stages,” concludes Patricia. The UK has set a target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To establish which dhf members hold EPDs, visit bit.ly/49QaLvG Charity Fun at Garador It was fun and laughter at leading garage door manufacturer Garador recently when employees joined to raise money for Comic Relief’s 2024 Red Nose Day charity appeal. The appeal was based around doing something funny for money and Garador staff certainly raised a lot of laughter when they arrived at work in an astonishing variety of brightly coloured clothes. Wearing crazily striped blazers and dresses to iridescent leggings and false red noses, everyone had a lot of fun collecting donations for the charity. “Red Nose Day raises money to help end child poverty and it was wonderful to see our employees come together so strongly to give their support,” said Garador’s Managing Director, Jon Watson. “We have several charity events planned for this year, but this, without doubt, is the most fun and brought in lots of laughs as well as money!”
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