The American Hardwood export council (Ahec) has commissioned what will probably be the largest life cycle assessment (Lca) study ever undertaken in the international hardwood sector. Leading Lca consultants Pe International (www.pe-international.com) will undertake the study which will conform to the Iso 14000 series of standards relating to Lca and environmental product declarations (Epds). It will also include an assessment of the carbon footprint of American hardwoods as a discrete component.
For David Venables, European director of Ahec (www.americanhardwood.org) the decision to invest in this new study is hugely significant for the industry and vital for its future competitive edge in export markets, in a world where green specification is increasingly informed by a science-based approach. He says: “This is a massive undertaking in both financial and logistical terms because the Study will encompass a wide range of operations and processes. Data collection will be needed from a variety of sectors, supply chain elements and geographical regions. What we want from this Study is comprehensive and independently assessed and verified information about the environmental impacts of the processes used to extract, produce and dispose of American hardwood product”.
The study will compile Life cycle inventory data for sawn lumber and veneers of the main internationally traded American hardwood species. The information will cover environmental impacts of all processes from point of extraction through to delivery to the importers yard in Europe and in East Asia. A key aim of the study is to enable manufacturers of joinery, flooring and furniture products that rely on American hardwoods to prepare formal Epds in line with international standards.
Epds are widely recognised as the most effective method of communicating the full environmental profile of any given product or material. Green building initiatives like BreeamM (Uk and International), Leed (U.S. and International), Dgnb (Germany), Hqe (France), and Casbee (Japan) are becoming more dependent on Epds to provide credible and comparative information on the environmental performance of materials used in the building sector.
“This new Study will not only supply the data needed for our customers to make an informed choice but it will also be crucial in identifying environmental “hotspots” – those processes with significant environmental impacts – where we can the implement target-led programmes to improve performance” says David Venables”.
The initial consultation and planning with Pe International and leaders of the American hardwood industry is scheduled to take place in Washington DC in mid September 2010 and the project will continue through 2011.
Ahec announces Lca study
for American hardwoods
ultima modifica: 2010-10-01T00:00:00+00:00
da
