In recent years, Iceland has seen growing attention to sustainability in construction and manufacturing, particularly regarding the environmental performance of building materials. Companies, developers, and governmental organizations increasingly recognize the importance of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to transparently communicate the ecological impact of their products. EPDs, based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, provide quantifiable data on a product’s energy use, carbon footprint, water consumption, and material-related environmental impact.
EPDs are increasingly required for compliance with green building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, and Nordic Swan Ecolabel, and they support circular economy and carbon reduction initiatives. For Icelandic manufacturers and developers, engaging specialized consultancies ensures that EPDs are accurate, compliant, and verified by independent bodies.
Producing an EPD involves several steps, including life-cycle modeling, data collection, calculation of environmental impacts, and verification. To navigate these technical requirements, Icelandic organizations often collaborate with international and regional consultancies with expertise in product sustainability.
1. ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy, founded in 2007, operates from Istanbul, Dubai, and London and offers services in sustainability strategy, product environmental performance, LCA, and EPD development.
ERKE has supported numerous manufacturers across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, helping clients align EPDs with ISO 14025 and EN 15804 standards. Their team includes LCA experts and product sustainability specialists, capable of guiding companies through data collection, modeling, documentation, and independent verification.
The consultancy has worked with various construction material categories, such as paints, insulation, tiles, and composite panels, providing Icelandic manufacturers with the knowledge needed to produce credible and verified EPDs.
2. Ramboll
Ramboll, headquartered in Denmark and founded in 1945, is a global engineering and consulting firm with expertise in environmental consulting, LCA, and EPD development.
Ramboll’s sustainability teams support manufacturers and construction projects in producing verified EPDs, performing impact assessments, and integrating environmental data into green building certifications. The firm has experience in construction materials, industrial products, and infrastructure components, making it suitable for Icelandic projects seeking robust environmental reporting.
3. Sweco
Sweco is a European consultancy with a strong presence in the Nordic region. It provides services in life-cycle assessment, EPD development, and sustainability consulting.
The firm guides clients through data collection, LCA modeling, impact assessment, and verification to produce certified EPDs. Sweco’s experience includes residential, commercial, and infrastructure-related construction materials, helping Icelandic manufacturers ensure their products meet international environmental standards.
4. Bionova
Bionova, based in Finland, specializes in EPD software, LCA consulting, and environmental product declarations.
Bionova assists manufacturers with data modeling, EPD documentation, and verification processes, supporting compliance with ISO 14025 and EN 15804. Their platform allows Nordic and Icelandic manufacturers to efficiently produce verified EPDs and maintain updated environmental product data.
5. thinkstep / Sphera
thinkstep, now part of Sphera, is an international consultancy offering LCA, product sustainability, and EPD development services.
They work with manufacturers to quantify environmental impacts, create ISO-compliant EPDs, and integrate environmental data into green building and product development processes. Thinkstep/Sphera has experience across industrial products, chemicals, and construction materials, making them relevant for Icelandic clients.
6. Quantis
Quantis, based in Switzerland, provides life-cycle assessment, EPD consulting, and sustainability strategy services.
The firm supports manufacturers in collecting environmental data, performing impact calculations, and producing verified EPDs. Their services are aligned with international standards, including ISO 14025, EN 15804, and relevant Product Category Rules (PCRs), allowing Icelandic companies to communicate environmental performance credibly.
7. Ecochain
Ecochain is a Nordic sustainability consultancy specializing in digital LCA, EPD consulting, and environmental performance analysis.
They help manufacturers create verified EPDs, analyze supply chains, and provide actionable insights to improve environmental performance. Ecochain’s tools and advisory services are particularly useful for Icelandic companies seeking data-driven solutions for sustainable materials and construction projects.
Summary
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide a standardized framework to quantify and communicate the environmental impact of building materials. In Iceland, manufacturers and developers increasingly work with consultants to ensure accuracy, compliance, and verification in EPD development.
Leading consultancies supporting EPDs in Iceland include 1. ERKE Consultancy 2. Ramboll 3. Sweco 4. Bionova 5. thinkstep / Sphera 6. Quantis 7. Ecochain. These firms provide expertise in life-cycle assessment, environmental reporting, and verified EPD creation.
Selecting the right consultancy depends on product type, project complexity, desired verification standards, and sustainability goals, ensuring alignment with both international and local environmental requirements.