Date: 01/19/2023
Type: Implementation of IRA
On January 19, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a Request for Information on two programs aimed at reducing the quantity of embodied greenhouse gas emissions in construction materials and products established by the IRA:
- the Environmental Product Declaration Program, which was established under section 60112 of the IRA, and aims to support activities that improve the measurement and reporting of, and lead to a reduction in, the quantity of embodied greenhouse gas emissions of construction materials and products; and
- the Labelling of Low-Embodied Carbon Materials Program, which was established under section 60116 of the IRA, and aims to improve the labelling of construction materials and products that have substantially lower levels of embodied greenhouse gas emissions associated with all relevant stages of production, use, and disposal, as compared to estimated industry averages of similar materials or products.
The Request for Information issued by EPA on January 19 poses a series of questions relating to the design and implementation of the programs. For example, EPA asks, among other things:
- What construction materials/products should EPA prioritize in implementation of IRA Sections 60112 and 60116?
- What data accessibility and improvement approaches should EPA consider?
- What factors should EPA consider for the Environmental Product Declaration Program established in section 60112?
- What should be considered for setting thresholds for “substantially lower levels” of embodied greenhouse gas emission for qualifying materials/products under the section 60116 labelling program?
EPA will accept comments through May 1, 2023.