Environmental impact and sustainability are now central to architectural design. With the construction industry under pressure to reduce carbon emissions and improve transparency, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are playing a more important role in material specification than ever before.
Yet for many specifiers, EPDs can feel like dense, technical documents written in language that’s hard to unpack. That’s why we’ve written this blog - to help you make sense of a brick’s Environmental Product Declaration, understand how it relates to real-world decision making, and how UK Brick supports this process.
We believe that clear, independently verified data is essential for making informed choices. Our goal is to give architects and specifiers the tools they need to select materials that align with the demands of modern, sustainable buildings - whether that’s to support BREEAM or other certification, meet carbon targets, or simply understand a product’s true environmental impact.
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is an independently verified document that outlines the environmental impact of a product over its full lifecycle from raw material extraction through to disposal. It’s a standardised way to compare the environmental performance of different construction products.
EPDs give specifiers access to detailed information about the environmental impact of a product, presented in a consistent and transparent format. For bricks, this includes data on energy consumption, emissions, and resource use throughout production and beyond.
When you're specifying brick for a project, being able to review this data allows for fair comparisons between different products and helps ensure that sustainability targets are being met.
If your project is aiming to achieve a green building certification, such as BREEAM, EPDs provide a reliable route to earning credits under their material assessment sections. These schemes reward transparency, and having access to a product’s environmental profile through an EPD makes it much easier to assess compliance.
EPDs contribute toward demonstrating responsible sourcing, reducing embodied carbon, and understanding the lifecycle impact of materials. These are all essential for low-impact, future-proof design.
A brick’s EPD covers its environmental performance from start to finish. This includes:
This whole-life view gives specifiers the clearest picture of the brick’s environmental footprint and supports more responsible decision-making.
EPDs are typically structured around international standards such as EN 15804. While they can appear technical at first glance, most follow a similar layout and are designed to allow comparisons between similar products.
When reading a brick EPD, pay close attention to:
By focusing on these elements, you can make clear, data-backed choices that suit the sustainability goals of your project.
At UK Brick, we understand how important this information is for architects. Our bricks are produced in partnership with some of Northern Europe’s most respected manufacturers, using advanced methods that prioritise efficiency and environmental performance.
Our GREENER range, for example, is made using 100% renewable electricity and biogas - reducing carbon content by up to 50% compared to traditional methods.
We believe in providing materials that not only deliver aesthetically but also support the creation of more sustainable buildings. Whether you're specifying long format linear bricks, heritage-style soft moulded options, or something in between, you’ll find detailed EPDs available to help you make confident, informed choices.
To support this, our team is always available to walk you through the documentation and assist with any questions you may have about lifecycle data, EPD interpretation, or product suitability.
The environmental impact of a product is no longer a side note - it’s central to responsible specification. For architects working in today’s built environment, understanding and applying EPDs is key to designing buildings that meet sustainability goals and stand the test of time.
At UK Brick, we’re committed to supporting you with transparent data, expert advice, and a full range of bricks backed by detailed Environmental Product Declarations.
For more information, you can get in touch with our team on 0121 663 1940, at info@uk-brick.com, or with our online contact form.
No, but they are increasingly expected on public and sustainable projects. Choosing bricks with verified EPDs helps with compliance and certification.
Yes - EPDs follow a standardised format so you can make fair comparisons between similar construction products.
All our Environmental Product Declarations are available on request. Just contact our team or visit our website.