The FDES Certification (Environmental and Health Declaration Sheet) is a comprehensive document for building materials and products, detailing their environmental and health impacts. It is created according to the NF EN 15804 and ISO 14025 standards and evaluates the product’s lifecycle, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, transport, usage, maintenance, disposal, and recycling. It also assesses impacts on air and water quality, among other health-related factors. Registered in the INIES database and verified by independent third parties, FDES Certification is a mandatory requirement in sustainable construction projects in France. It supports environmental accountability and allows for product comparisons based on ecological performance.
FDES Certification complies with French legislation by adhering to standards such as EN 15804 + A1 and NF EN 15804/CN, ensuring it meets national requirements. This environmental declaration evaluates the impact of products across their lifecycle phases—manufacturing, use, and disposal. It aligns with French decrees like the December 23, 2013, regulation, which mandates impact assessments on air quality, water resources, and material usage. As part of the INIES database, FDES Certification ensures transparency and reliability by providing verified environmental data for products marketed in France.
While both FDES Certification and EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) analyze the environmental impacts of products, their scope differs. EPDs, based on ISO 14025 and EN 15804 standards, are internationally recognized and focus on a product’s lifecycle assessment (LCA). FDES, designed for the French market, goes beyond EPDs by incorporating additional health metrics like air and water quality impacts. It also meets French-specific regulations such as the NF EN 15804/CN standard and requires registration in the INIES database. Unlike EPDs, FDES is legally required for compliance in the French construction sector.
To adapt an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for use as an FDES in France, compliance with the French NF EN 15804/CN standard is essential. This involves recalculating lifecycle data to meet French-specific criteria, including additional assessments of air and water quality impacts. Indicators required by the INIES program must also be addressed. An independent verifier must certify the recalculated data, after which the updated declaration can be registered in the INIES system to qualify as an FDES Certification.
FDES Certification, developed according to the NF EN 15804/CN standards, includes specific data on the environmental impacts across a product’s lifecycle. It evaluates production (A1-A3), transport (A4), installation (A5), use (B1-B7), and end-of-life (C1-C4) stages. Key indicators cover climate change, resource consumption (both renewable and non-renewable), water usage, and ozone depletion. To fulfill French regulations, it also assesses health impacts such as air and water pollution. Additionally, it highlights contributions to the circular economy, such as recycling and reuse potential.
Calculating environmental impacts in an FDES involves assessing the complete lifecycle of a product (LCA). This includes raw material extraction, production, distribution, use, and disposal. Metrics like energy usage, carbon emissions, water consumption, and pollutant outputs are evaluated for each stage. Results are documented according to EN 15804 and NF EN 15804/CN standards. The analysis is independently verified, ensuring accurate and transparent reporting on the product’s environmental profile.
FDES Certification examines a product’s lifecycle across four key stages: production (A1-A3), construction (A4-A5), use (B1-B7), and end-of-life (C1-C4). The production phase assesses raw material extraction and manufacturing processes. The construction phase accounts for transportation and installation impacts. The use phase includes maintenance, repair, and energy or water requirements. The end-of-life phase evaluates waste management, deconstruction, and recycling potential.
The environmental indicators in an FDES Certification assess a product’s impacts at different lifecycle stages. Key factors include greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂), ozone layer depletion, water eutrophication, acidification of soil and water, and smog formation. Other metrics include resource depletion (fossil fuels, renewable energy), water pollution, and recycling potential. These parameters provide a detailed evaluation of the product’s environmental footprint, ensuring compliance with rigorous standards.
Environmental and Health Declaration Form (FDES)
The FDES Certification assesses a product’s health impacts in buildings by evaluating its contributions to indoor air quality, water contamination, and soil pollution.
INIES, the French national database, stores environmental and health performance data for FDES (Environmental and Health Declaration Form) and PEP (Product Environmental Profile) certifications, aiding in the advancement of sustainable construction practices.
FDES consultancy supports companies in Saudi Arabia in obtaining FDES certification by aligning international environmental standards with local regulatory requirements.
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