Contractors Gain New Environmental Data as Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association Publishes 22 Environmental Product Declarations
Key Highlights
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22 new industry-averaged EPDs give contractors third-party verified environmental data for common plastic piping systems
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Full LCA and PCR documentation strengthen transparency and simplify green-building submittals
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ICC-ES-verified declarations support compliance with LEED, Green Globes and other sustainability programs
GLEN ELLYN, IL — The Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (PPFA) has issued 22 new Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), expanding verified environmental data available to contractors designing modern premise plumbing systems. The industry-averaged EPDs cover commonly installed rigid and flexible piping products used throughout North America, giving builders a clearer view of each system’s environmental footprint.
“These EPDs significantly enhance the environmental transparency of these products, providing builders and consumers with clearer insights into the environmental footprint of their plumbing systems,” said PPFA’s Codes and Sustainability Specialist Michael Cudahy.
Full LCA Backbone Strengthens Data Reliability
Each declaration is supported by a full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) completed under the Product Category Rule (PCR) “Rigid and Flexible Building Piping Systems in North America” (PCR-1002). The LCA outlines the scientific method, data, and assumptions behind the EPDs, ensuring the documents reflect rigorous, cradle-to-grave environmental analysis.
The underlying LCA work was completed by the Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, a not-for-profit research group serving the construction sector for more than 28 years.
The products covered by the EPDs are:
What Contractors Get From the New EPDs
EPDs provide third-party verified environmental impact data—including carbon footprint, water consumption and energy use—for each material category. For mechanical and plumbing contractors working on LEED, Green Globes or other green-building projects, the new PPFA declarations offer documentation that is often preferred or required for credit compliance.
“The Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association strongly endorses comprehensive product testing and encourages builders to prioritize the use of materials that are backed up by verifiable data disclosure and publicly available EPDs,” Cudahy said. “These new EPDs provide important verified data supporting the use of plastic materials in environmentally focused projects.”
Clearer Specs, Easier Documentation
The industry-averaged EPDs have been scrutinized, verified and certified by ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), a recognized Program Operator under ISO 14025. Each report includes environmental impact categories, LCA scope, relevant standards and guidance for product identification and installation—information contractors can use directly in specifications and submittals.
By selecting products with published EPDs, contractors can document reduced environmental impacts, streamline green-building compliance and demonstrate transparency in material selection.
To learn more, visit www.ppfahome.org.