No competition on data communication level

We strongly believe that competition drives innovation. However, on the level of data exchange, competition would do the opposite and impede innovation.

Why? Because different formats, qualities, processes and data sources

• would mean too much effort to generate and deliver data in all required formats to the multiple data sharing points and
• applications (mainly LCA and BIM tools) could not import consistent data from a single source.

Global Open Data Network

There won't be a "super database" offering all required data. The solution is an open database network based on:

• a common digital format (ILCD+EPD) and qualities
• rules for data exchange and use

The network allows to connect databases of our ECO EPD Programmes as well as public databases. Some databases are already connected to the network, some are in the process of getting connected. For smaller data providers that do not operate their own database yet, ECO Platform is offering a shared database, in which ECO EPD POs can upload digital EPD datasets.

Offer direct access for LCA tools via APIs

The ECO Portal works as an access point to digital ECO EPD for applications and users. It is an own node, operated by ECO Platform.

The ECO Portal allows search and download of digital EPD data. The functions for searching and filtering the data are still limited. ECO Platform is developing future functions together with stakeholders, both data providers and data users.

The most relevant development will be the direct connection to digital applications. That is the real digital transformation, as it will significantly reduce the effort for data exchange. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) will be used to realize machine-readable access to data.

Of course, many rules need to be set-up for this new way of data communication. Rules for how to use and communicate digital data, feedback from applications about the use of the data, data ownership and liability, confidentiality etc.

Making building LCA possible

Building LCAs need data for all relevant building elements. And the data must be consistent.

Next to the provision of product-specific EPD data, ECO Platform is intending to establish a Global LCA Database containing product-neutral (generic) datasets for all building elements with significant impact on a building LCA.

With this data being freely accessible, it is possible to make public and private instruments for building LCA mandatory. The product-neutral data can be used for early design stages and for baselining / benchmarking. Furthermore, this product-neutral data can be used for building LCA, if no specific data is available for particular products.

Public authorities will have the possibility to further regionalize the data from the global database. By this approach, the effort for data generation and maintenance by the authorities will be very limited and at the same time consistent and aggregable with data from other regions. This will reduce the costs and effort for the public hand and ensure consensus with industry at the same time, since the costs for manufacturers will be significantly reduced, when providing their specific data voluntarily in one common format.

Specific data preferred in applications

The more specific the data, the better the result of the LCA. Public and private instruments, like Green Building Rating Schemes, legislation or Green Public Procurement are expected to introduce safety factors, if non-specific data is used for calculations.

Examples in existing applications show that bonus/malus systems work well. The public German BNB system as well as the private DGNB rating scheme make building LCA mandatory. In the building LCAs a safety-factor has to be considered for generic data, which makes the use of product-specific data (EPD) more favourable, while it leaves sufficient time for industry to develop efficient tools to generate the specific EPD with more and more automation.

The preference of product-specific data will increase the demand for EPD dramatically. At the same time, it will allow competition between manufacturers on the environmental performance of their products and drive innovation.