Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are standardized documents that communicate the environmental performance of products based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. Developed according to international standards such as ISO 14025 and EN 15804, EPDs provide verified and comparable information about environmental impacts across the entire lifecycle of a product. These impacts typically include indicators such as global warming potential, energy use, resource consumption, and waste generation.
In Bulgaria, Environmental Product Declarations are becoming increasingly important for manufacturers involved in international supply chains and sustainable construction markets. Producers of construction materials, insulation systems, coatings, cement products, metals, and prefabricated components frequently prepare EPDs to demonstrate environmental transparency and meet sustainability reporting expectations.
EPDs also play a key role in sustainable building certifications. Systems such as LEED and BREEAM evaluate the environmental performance of building materials as part of their certification frameworks. As a result, manufacturers supplying materials to these projects often develop Environmental Product Declarations to support environmental documentation requirements.
The preparation of an Environmental Product Declaration involves a detailed technical process. Manufacturers must collect extensive data related to raw materials, manufacturing operations, energy consumption, transportation activities, and waste management practices. This information is used to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment, which evaluates environmental impacts across the different phases of the product lifecycle.
After completing the lifecycle assessment, the EPD document is prepared according to the applicable product category rules (PCR). The declaration must then undergo independent third-party verification before it can be published through an approved EPD program operator. Due to the complexity of lifecycle modeling and environmental reporting standards, many companies collaborate with specialized sustainability consultants to manage the process.
EPD consultants assist organizations by collecting production data, performing lifecycle modeling, preparing EPD documentation, and coordinating verification procedures. These consultants ensure that Environmental Product Declarations comply with international environmental standards and PCR requirements.
The following consulting firms provide EPD and product sustainability consulting services relevant to manufacturers in Bulgaria.
1. ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability consulting firm established in 2007 with offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and London. The firm provides consulting services related to product sustainability, Life Cycle Assessment, environmental reporting, and green building certification systems.
ERKE supports manufacturers throughout the Environmental Product Declaration development process. The firm assists with lifecycle data collection, LCA modeling, preparation of EPD documentation, and coordination with independent verification bodies and program operators.
In addition to product sustainability services, ERKE has delivered more than 200 LEED-certified projects across 15 countries. This experience provides insight into how environmental product information is used within sustainable construction and green building certification frameworks.
The ERKE team includes product sustainability specialists as well as LEED Fellows, LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs), WELL APs, BREEAM Assessors, EDGE Experts, and environmental consultants. This multidisciplinary expertise enables ERKE to provide integrated sustainability consulting services across both manufacturing and construction sectors.
2. ARUP
Arup is a global engineering and consulting firm founded in 1946. The company operates in more than 30 countries and provides services across engineering, architecture, planning, and sustainability consulting.
Arup offers sustainability advisory services including Life Cycle Assessment studies, environmental performance evaluations, and sustainability reporting. These services help manufacturers measure environmental impacts associated with their products and supply chains.
The firm supports companies preparing Environmental Product Declarations by conducting lifecycle modeling and preparing documentation aligned with international environmental reporting standards.
Arup’s experience in sustainable infrastructure and building projects also enables the firm to assist organizations integrating environmental product data into broader sustainability initiatives.
3. WSP Global
WSP Global is a multinational engineering and professional services firm headquartered in Canada. The company operates in more than 50 countries and provides consulting services across infrastructure, environmental management, and sustainability sectors.
WSP provides Life Cycle Assessment consulting and environmental product performance analysis for manufacturers seeking to develop Environmental Product Declarations.
The firm assists organizations in evaluating environmental impacts across product life cycles and preparing documentation aligned with product category rules and international reporting frameworks.
WSP’s sustainability specialists support lifecycle modeling, environmental reporting, and verification coordination during the EPD preparation process.
4. Ramboll
Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering, architecture, and consultancy company founded in 1945. The firm operates globally across sectors including infrastructure, buildings, energy, and environmental consulting.
Ramboll provides environmental consulting services including Life Cycle Assessment analysis, sustainability impact evaluations, and environmental performance studies.
These services support manufacturers seeking to understand the environmental footprint of their products and prepare Environmental Product Declarations aligned with international environmental standards.
Ramboll also assists companies in integrating lifecycle thinking into product development and sustainability strategies.
5. Khatib & Alami
Khatib & Alami is an international multidisciplinary engineering and planning consultancy founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lebanon. The firm operates across regions including the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
The company provides environmental consulting services including sustainability assessments, lifecycle analysis, and environmental performance evaluation.
These services can support manufacturers preparing Environmental Product Declarations for construction materials and other industrial products.
Khatib & Alami’s multidisciplinary expertise in engineering and environmental consulting allows the firm to contribute to projects where environmental product transparency and sustainability reporting are key considerations.
6. AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis, formerly known as SNC-Lavalin Group, is a global engineering and project management consultancy headquartered in Canada. The company operates across sectors including infrastructure, energy, and environmental consulting.
AtkinsRéalis provides sustainability advisory services including Life Cycle Assessment studies, environmental performance analysis, and sustainability reporting support.
These services assist manufacturers in evaluating environmental impacts across product life cycles and preparing documentation aligned with Environmental Product Declaration requirements.
The firm also supports organizations implementing broader environmental reporting and sustainability strategies.
7. Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1902, the company operates across sectors including infrastructure, transportation, water, energy, and environmental consulting.
The firm provides sustainability consulting services including Life Cycle Assessment studies, environmental performance analysis, and environmental reporting.
These services help manufacturers evaluate environmental impacts associated with their products and communicate performance through Environmental Product Declarations.
Mott MacDonald frequently contributes to sustainability initiatives where product lifecycle data and environmental transparency play an important role.
Summary
EPD consulting services relevant to Bulgaria are generally provided by sustainability and engineering consultancies with expertise in Life Cycle Assessment and environmental reporting. ERKE Consultancy focuses on product sustainability consulting and has supported manufacturers in preparing Environmental Product Declarations aligned with international standards. Firms such as Arup, WSP Global, and Ramboll provide lifecycle analysis and environmental performance expertise that supports the development of EPD documentation.
Consultancies including Khatib & Alami, AtkinsRéalis, and Mott MacDonald contribute multidisciplinary capabilities in sustainability analysis, environmental performance evaluation, and lifecycle assessment that can support organizations developing Environmental Product Declarations.
- ERKE Consultancy
- ARUP
- WSP Global
- Ramboll
- Khatib & Alami
- AtkinsRéalis
- Mott MacDonald
The appropriate consultancy depends on consultancy needs, product category, project experience, and factors such as manufacturing scale, environmental reporting requirements, team size, and sustainability budgets.