Summary (TL;DR)
- EPDs were once the territory of consultants and complex manual calculations, but automation now puts transparent, accurate reporting into the hands of sustainability and product teams.
- Manufacturing teams can now report biogenic carbon in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) with confidence using LCA automation solutions like Ecochain – no sustainability expertise required.
- This article explains biogenic carbon in EPDs, why it matters for product-level assessments, and how LCA automated software like Ecochain make robust compliance achievable for any manufacturer.
Understanding biogenic carbon in EPDs: Core concepts and definitions
Biogenic carbon in EPDs refers to carbon sequestered through photosynthesis from atmospheric CO2 and incorporated into biological materials – such as wood, natural fibers or bio-based polymers. This carbon is fundamentally different from fossil carbon, which has been locked underground for millions of years and, when released through combustion, adds new carbon to the biosphere-atmosphere system rather than recycling carbon already in circulation.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are standardized documents that summarize a product’s environmental impact across its entire life cycle. Under current EPD standards like EN 15804+A2, biogenic carbon mass in both the product and packaging must be declared separately from fossil carbon. For products made from biomass, like timber or bio-based polymers, this distinction shapes the entire carbon footprint calculation.
The core of product-level LCA practices is to account for all environmental impacts from raw material extraction to end-of-life. When biogenic carbon enters a system – such as when trees absorb CO2 during growth – it’s characterized with a factor of -1, representing carbon drawdown from the atmosphere. When that carbon leaves the system through decomposition or incineration, it’s characterized with a factor of +1.
Under EN 15804+A2, biogenic carbon is tracked separately: the carbon stored in timber appears as a negative emission when the tree grows and a positive emission when the wood eventually decomposes or burns, providing complete transparency about carbon flows throughout the product life cycle.
The critical difference is that fossil carbon emissions add excess carbon that hasn’t been part of the biosphere-atmosphere system for millions of years, while biogenic carbon operates within the fast carbon cycle – typically spanning years to decades. Under EN 15804+A2, any biogenic carbon sequestered in production stages A1-A3 must be considered as emitted or transferred to nature in end-of-life stage C, meaning bio-based materials are treated as having net zero biogenic carbon over their complete life cycle.
In EPDs, transparent reporting of biogenic carbon flows lets you compare the climate impact of products made from renewable versus fossil resources. You see exactly when carbon is captured, how long it’s stored and when it returns to the atmosphere. This clarity supports better decisions in product development, procurement and regulatory compliance.
Why accurate biogenic carbon accounting in EPDs drives real business value
Accurate biogenic carbon tracking in environmental product declarations gives manufacturers a real edge in today’s market. Regulatory compliance frameworks – like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Clean California, and EN 15804 – require transparent reporting of embodied carbon, including biogenic carbon in EPDs. Meeting these standards positions your products for global markets and avoids costly delays or rework during certification.
Manufacturers with robust biogenic carbon accounting unlock competitive advantage. EPDs are now a baseline requirement for major procurement contracts and sustainable building projects. Demonstrating clear reductions in embodied carbon makes your products more attractive to buyers focused on sustainability goals. Industry case studies report reductions up to 34–35% in embodied carbon for buildings using sustainably sourced timber, setting a high bar for sustainability leadership and product differentiation.
Industry benchmarks are rapidly shifting. Over 25,000 EPDs have been published globally, and adoption is accelerating. Companies that lead with accurate reporting meet the rising expectations of clients and regulators, while those that lag risk losing market access.
Clear biogenic carbon data in EPDs supports responsible sourcing and sustainable procurement. It empowers R&D, operations, and compliance teams to make confident decisions, strengthen your brand’s reputation, and capture value in sustainability-driven supply chains.
How to calculate and report biogenic carbon in EPDs: Step-by-step
EN 15804+A2 requires you to track biogenic carbon separately from fossil carbon across the product’s full life cycle – from production through end-of-life. The logic is straightforward: you account for carbon absorbed during growth and carbon released at end-of-life.
The standard uses a -1/+1 approach. When trees absorb CO2 during growth, that’s counted as -1 (removal from atmosphere). When the product reaches end-of-life and releases that carbon through decomposition or incineration, that’s counted as +1 (emission to atmosphere). The result over the full life cycle is net zero biogenic carbon.
Here’s what that looks like in practice. Take a cubic meter of softwood lumber:
- Trees absorb 900 kg CO₂e while growing (reported as -900)
- Manufacturing and transport add 157 kg fossil CO₂e
- At end-of-life, the wood releases 900 kg CO₂e back to the atmosphere (reported as +900)
- Net biogenic carbon over the product’s life: zero
EN 15804+A2 splits climate impact into four categories: fossil carbon, biogenic carbon, land use change and total climate impact. This separation lets you see exactly where emissions come from and compare products accurately.
The practical steps:
- Identify which materials in your product contain biogenic carbon (wood, natural fibers, bio-based polymers).
- Calculate how much carbon was absorbed during growth – your supplier or LCA database can provide this.
- Model what happens at end-of-life: incineration, landfill or composting.
- Report the uptake, the release and the net result across all life cycle stages.
If biogenic materials make up less than 5% of your product and packaging, reporting becomes optional. Above that threshold, it’s mandatory.
This approach makes carbon flows traceable throughout the entire life cycle, increasing transparency and reducing greenwashing claims. You get EPDs that meet current EU requirements and support credible sustainability communication.
Biogenic carbon standards and regulatory requirements in EPDs
If you’re creating EPDs for construction or manufacturing products, you need to follow specific standards. The good news: they’re all connected.
ISO 14025 establishes the principles and procedures for Type III Environmental Product Declarations. Think of it as the foundation for how companies report environmental data across industries. ISO 21930 layers construction-specific requirements on top of this foundation, including how to track biogenic carbon.
EN 15804+A2 is the European standard that’s been mandatory since 2022. It requires you to report biogenic carbon separately from fossil carbon and track it across the product’s entire life – from production through end-of-life.
Why does this matter? Two reasons:
- Market access: EPDs that follow these standards pass verification and meet procurement requirements across European and international markets.
- Regulatory compliance: The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) requires importers to report emissions in their products starting in 2026. If you have verified emissions data – like an EPD – you can use actual numbers instead of industry averages, which typically means lower costs.
| Standard/framework | Key biogenic carbon requirement |
|---|---|
| ISO 14025 | Establishes principles for Type III Environmental Product Declarations; requires third-party verification and adherence to Product Category Rules |
| ISO 21930 | Defines biogenic carbon accounting for construction products using -1/+1 characterization; specifies carbon entering a system is characterized with factor of -1, carbon leaving with factor of +1 |
| EN 15804+A2 | Mandates detailed biogenic carbon reporting for product and packaging; requires separate tracking across four climate categories; makes end-of-life reporting mandatory |
| CBAM (EU) | Requires reporting of embedded greenhouse gas emissions in imports; companies with verified emissions data can use actual figures instead of default values when calculating carbon charges |
Aligning your EPDs with these standards strengthens your market position and supports confident compliance in global supply chains.
Applying biogenic carbon in EPDs across key manufacturing industries
Manufacturers in every sector can confidently use biogenic carbon data in EPDs to drive sustainability and meet evolving industry benchmarks. Biogenic carbon in EPDs tracks the carbon captured and stored in biomass-based materials – such as timber, fiberboard, and bio-based packaging – across the entire product lifecycle. This gives R&D, operations, and compliance teams clear insight into renewable content, supports sustainable manufacturing processes, and enables product-level LCA practices that stand up to regulatory and procurement scrutiny.
Construction materials lead the way, with EPDs quantifying biogenic carbon in structural timber, engineered wood, and hybrid materials. This data is used not just for compliance, but for building certification schemes and performance optimization. Architects and contractors compare the net carbon storage of timber frames versus steel or concrete to select the best option for low-carbon building targets.
In the furniture sector, EPDs help clarify the amount of renewable content in wood-based panels and finished products, supporting claims of eco product sustainability. When it comes to packaging, EPDs highlight both the renewable share and the potential release of biogenic carbon at end-of-life, making it easier to compare fiber-based, plastic, and hybrid solutions.
- Construction: Structural timber EPDs show net biogenic carbon storage, supporting LEED and BREEAM credits.
- Furniture: LCA-driven EPDs for chipboard and plywood report renewable content and carbon release at disposal.
- Packaging: Cartonboard and paper packaging EPDs disclose biogenic carbon uptake and loss scenarios.
- Industrial equipment: Bio-composite parts in machinery or electronics are tracked for carbon storage and end-of-life emissions.
Access to this industry-specific guidance ensures business users can make informed decisions, meet reporting needs, and communicate sustainability performance with confidence.
Common challenges in biogenic carbon EPD reporting and how to overcome them
Reporting biogenic carbon in EPDs presents unique data and process challenges for manufacturers. Reliable emission data quality, accurate carbon accounting protocols, and process transparency in reporting are all essential for credible results. Business users often encounter the same core obstacles when working with biogenic carbon in EPDs.
- Distinguishing fossil vs. biogenic carbon: Use supplier documentation and recognized databases to clearly identify and separate fossil-based and biomass-based carbon sources at each stage of the product’s life cycle.
- Choosing the right accounting methodology (0/0 vs. +1/-1): Review program operator requirements and industry standards like EN 15804 to select the most appropriate protocol for your product category. Apply it consistently across all calculations.
- Accurately tracking end-of-life scenarios: Model multiple end-of-life outcomes (incineration, composting, landfill) and document your assumptions to reflect the true fate of biogenic carbon at disposal.
- Including biogenic methane emissions: Account for methane emissions from biomass decomposition or processing, as biogenic methane has a significantly higher global warming potential than CO₂. Use up-to-date emission factors for accurate reporting.
By addressing these challenges directly, your team can deliver transparent, verifiable biogenic carbon data in every EPD.
Biogenic carbon in EPDs: Best practices for reliable product footprinting
Accurate biogenic carbon in EPDs builds trust and positions your product for success in sustainability-driven markets. Business users are expected to deliver results that stand up to scrutiny using proven footprint quantification methods and data accuracy in assessments. The most reliable claims come from a combination of transparent processes, consistent application of standards, and a clear chain of data custody from raw material to end-of-life.
Supply chain carbon management is now a core product benchmark strategy. Manufacturers who track biogenic carbon at every stage – sourcing, production, and disposal – can confidently differentiate their products and respond to shifting regulatory and client demands. Every step you take to validate and document your numbers increases your credibility with buyers and auditors.
- Use transparent documentation for every step of your biogenic carbon calculation, from sourcing data to LCA modeling and reporting.
- Rely on verified data sources and supplier documentation to support your biogenic carbon content claims.
- Apply recognized footprint quantification methods and EPD standards consistently across your product line.
- Track supply chain carbon flows, documenting biogenic carbon from raw material sourcing through manufacturing to end-of-life scenarios.
- Maintain clear end-of-life modeling for each product, capturing biogenic carbon release, storage, and recycling pathways.
Following these best practices helps you achieve validated environmental claims and robust product footprints that drive business and compliance results.
Managing biogenic carbon in EPDs: Tools and next steps
You don’t need deep sustainability expertise to handle biogenic carbon reporting. The right LCA software automates complex calculations, tracks carbon across your product portfolio and keeps you compliant with evolving standards.
LCA automation solutions like Ecochain let you:
- Generate EPDs for entire product lines – quickly and accurately
- Track biogenic and fossil carbon separately across all life cycle stages
- Integrate seamlessly with supply chain and production data
- Maintain transparent audit trails for verification and benchmarking
- Scale reporting without hiring consultants or expanding teams
This matters because regulations are tightening. EN 15804+A2 is already mandatory in Europe. CBAM requirements kick in for imports in 2026. Procurement teams increasingly demand verified carbon data. Manual spreadsheets and consultant-dependent processes can’t keep pace.
Automation changes the game. You can benchmark products, identify carbon hotspots, test design changes and respond to new requirements – all without starting from scratch each time. Your EPDs stay current as standards evolve. Your sustainability claims become defensible. Your team gains confidence.
Clear biogenic carbon reporting drives business value: accurate footprints, regulatory compliance, competitive positioning and market access. With the right tools, compliance becomes an advantage rather than a burden.
Ready to move EPD creation in-house? Ecochain LCA software automates biogenic carbon calculations, helps you generate verification-ready EPDs and scales with your product portfolio – without your total cost of ownership skyrocketing.
Frequently asked questions about biogenic carbon EPDs
What are biogenic carbon emissions?
Biogenic carbon emissions are greenhouse gases released when organic materials decompose or burn during a product’s life cycle. These emissions occur from biological materials like wood, natural fibers or other biomass – carbon that was originally absorbed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Unlike fossil carbon emissions, biogenic carbon operates within the fast carbon cycle, where carbon absorbed during growth is released at end-of-life through decomposition or incineration. In EPDs, biogenic emissions must be tracked separately from fossil emissions to provide transparent carbon accounting.
How is biogenic carbon content calculated in EPDs?
Biogenic carbon content is calculated using the -1/+1 characterization approach: carbon entering a system during material growth is characterized with a factor of -1 (removal from atmosphere), while carbon leaving the system at end-of-life is characterized with a factor of +1 (emission to atmosphere). Modern LCA software like Ecochain automates these calculations across all life cycle stages – production (A1-A3), end-of-life (C1-C4) and beyond the system boundary (Module D). The software quantifies carbon absorbed during biomass growth, tracks storage in the product and packaging, then models release scenarios based on end-of-life treatment like incineration, landfill or composting.
How does the GHG Protocol address biogenic emissions?
The GHG Protocol requires organizations to report biogenic carbon emissions separately from fossil-based emissions in their greenhouse gas inventories. This separation ensures transparency by distinguishing between carbon from the fast biological cycle and carbon released from fossil fuels. Companies must track biogenic CO2 emissions outside their standard Scope 1, 2 and 3 totals, providing complete visibility into both emission types. This separate reporting prevents double-counting and supports accurate carbon footprint calculations aligned with international standards like ISO 14064.
What role does biogenic carbon play in LCA and EPDs?
Biogenic carbon in LCA and EPDs represents carbon sequestered from the atmosphere during biomass growth and stored in materials like timber, natural fibers or bio-based polymers. EN 15804+A2 requires this carbon to be tracked separately from fossil carbon across four climate impact categories: fossil, biogenic, land use change and total. All biogenic carbon sequestered during production must be accounted for as emitted at end-of-life, resulting in net zero biogenic carbon over the complete life cycle. Accurate biogenic carbon tracking shows true product impacts, supports regulatory compliance and enables fair comparison between products made from renewable versus fossil resources.
Why does differentiating fossil and biogenic carbon matter for manufacturers?
Differentiating fossil from biogenic carbon is essential because fossil carbon adds permanently to atmospheric CO2 by releasing carbon stored for millions of years, while biogenic carbon cycles through living systems as part of the fast carbon cycle. Separate tracking is mandatory under EN 15804+A2 and required for credible EPDs, regulatory compliance and accurate product carbon footprints. This distinction affects market access, procurement decisions and carbon pricing mechanisms like CBAM. Manufacturers who track both carbon types transparently gain competitive advantage through verified environmental claims and meet evolving sustainability requirements from customers and regulators.
