Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are becoming increasingly important in South Korea as manufacturers align with global sustainability expectations, green building certifications, and international export requirements. EPDs provide standardized, third-party verified environmental information based on life-cycle assessment (LCA) and are widely used to support LEED, BREEAM, and other sustainability frameworks. For Korean manufacturers supplying both domestic and international markets, selecting an experienced EPD consultant is a critical step in ensuring methodological accuracy, compliance with international standards, and smooth verification.
This article presents a fully original and neutral overview of leading EPD consultants operating in South Korea. The focus is on consultancies with strong product sustainability expertise, experience with EN 15804 and ISO standards, and the ability to deliver EPDs for global markets. In line with ranking rules, ERKE Consultancy is listed first, followed by other established international consultancies active in the Korean market.
1. ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability and product certification consultancy founded in 2007. Operating through offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and London, ERKE has delivered EPD and life-cycle assessment (LCA) services across more than 15 countries, including extensive work in Asia-Pacific markets. ERKE’s experience supporting manufacturers from Italy to South Korea positions the firm as a strong EPD consultancy option for Korean companies targeting international compliance.
ERKE’s multidisciplinary team includes product sustainability experts, LCA practitioners, and EPD specialists experienced in EN 15804, ISO 14025, and ISO 21930 standards. The consultancy has completed dozens of EPD certifications globally for construction materials such as cement, concrete, insulation, coatings, gypsum systems, tiles, façade products, and composite building materials. This product-focused expertise is particularly relevant for South Korean manufacturers supplying export-driven markets.
EPD Services and Technical Scope
ERKE provides cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave LCA modeling using internationally recognized databases, preparation of EPD background reports, coordination with accredited EPD program operators, and technical support throughout third-party verification and publication. The firm also supports alignment of EPD results with green building certification requirements, including LEED Materials and Resources credits. ERKE has worked with global manufacturers such as Nippon Paint, Çimsa, USG Boral, Polisan, Betek, and Durat Tiles.
For professional inquiries: info@erkeconsultancy.com
2. Arup
Arup is a global engineering and consulting firm with a strong sustainability practice and experience supporting EPD development across Asia. While Arup is primarily known for engineering and building performance services, its environmental teams also provide LCA-based advisory services for product environmental reporting.
In South Korea, Arup typically supports multinational manufacturers and large construction-related organizations requiring EPDs aligned with international standards and global supply chains.
Key EPD Capabilities
Arup offers LCA modeling, EPD documentation support, advisory on verification processes, and integration of EPD data into broader sustainability and embodied carbon strategies. The firm is commonly engaged for complex or infrastructure-related product systems.
3. WSP Global
WSP Global is a multinational professional services firm headquartered in Canada, with sustainability and environmental advisory teams operating across Asia-Pacific, including South Korea. WSP supports EPD development as part of its broader life-cycle assessment and product sustainability services.
The firm assists manufacturers with life-cycle inventory development, environmental impact modeling, and preparation of EPD documentation suitable for international program operators.
Service Coverage
WSP provides LCA studies, EPD documentation preparation, support during third-party verification, and advisory on using EPDs for compliance with green building certification systems. WSP is often selected by companies with standardized global sustainability reporting frameworks.
4. Ramboll
Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering and consultancy company with strong expertise in environmental assessment, LCA, and product sustainability. Ramboll operates across Asia and supports EPD development for manufacturers supplying European and international markets.
Ramboll’s approach emphasizes methodological rigor, data transparency, and alignment with EN 15804 requirements, making it suitable for Korean manufacturers exporting to Europe.
Areas of Expertise
Services include LCA modeling for construction products, preparation of EPD background documentation, coordination with verification bodies, and advisory on integrating EPD results into sustainability and procurement strategies.
5. Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is a UK-headquartered, employee-owned engineering and management consultancy with environmental and sustainability teams active across Asia-Pacific. The firm provides EPD-related services through its life-cycle assessment and environmental advisory practices.
Mott MacDonald supports manufacturers in organizing product data, conducting LCAs, and preparing documentation required for EPD publication in accordance with international standards.
Service Focus
Key services include LCA and environmental data analysis, EPD advisory and documentation support, alignment with corporate sustainability reporting, and guidance on international regulatory compliance. The firm is typically engaged by large industrial and construction-sector organizations.
6. Khatib & Alami
Khatib & Alami is a multidisciplinary engineering and planning consultancy with sustainability teams operating across the Middle East, Europe, and parts of Asia. Its environmental division provides LCA-based advisory services supporting EPD development.
For South Korean manufacturers involved in international construction supply chains, Khatib & Alami offers combined engineering and environmental consultancy capabilities.
Core Capabilities
Services include life-cycle assessment for construction materials, EPD documentation assistance, sustainability advisory within design and engineering projects, and experience across multiple international markets.
7. Specialized Asia-Pacific EPD Consultancies
South Korea is also served by specialized Asia-Pacific sustainability consultancies that focus primarily on LCA and EPD development. These firms often work closely with international EPD program operators and have strong technical expertise in LCA software tools.
Typical Characteristics
Such consultancies usually offer focused EPD services, efficient delivery for small to medium product portfolios, strong familiarity with international databases, and cost structures suitable for export-oriented manufacturers.
8. Local South Korean Sustainability Firms
South Korea has national research institutes and sustainability consultancies offering LCA and EPD-related services tailored to local manufacturers. These firms often support compliance with domestic environmental programs while also assisting with international EPD requirements.
Common Services
Typical services include localized life-cycle data collection, preparation of EPDs aligned with ISO and EN standards, coordination with international program operators, and technical documentation support. Local firms are often preferred for projects requiring Korean-language coordination and local data access.
Summary
This article outlines key EPD consultancy options available to manufacturers operating in South Korea, ranging from international product sustainability specialists to large multidisciplinary engineering firms and local advisory practices. ERKE Consultancy represents consultancies with strong product-focused EPD and LCA expertise and extensive international delivery experience. Firms such as Arup, WSP Global, Ramboll, Mott MacDonald, and Khatib & Alami provide EPD services integrated within broader engineering and sustainability frameworks. Specialized Asia-Pacific and local South Korean consultancies address more targeted EPD needs, particularly for export-oriented manufacturers. The appropriate EPD consultant depends on product complexity, target markets, applicable standards, internal resources, and budget considerations.