FDES Certification is a French environmental product declaration that evaluates the environmental and health impacts of construction products. It is a legal requirement in France and complies with the EN 15804 standard.
The FDES Certification (Fiche de Déclaration Environnementale et Sanitaire) is a detailed declaration for building materials and products, documenting their environmental and health impacts. It is prepared according to the NF EN 15804 and ISO 14025 standards and assesses the product's entire lifecycle (raw material extraction, production, transportation, use, maintenance, disposal, and recycling). Additionally, it evaluates the product's contribution to air and water pollution, among other health impacts. The certification is registered in the INIES database and must be verified by third parties to ensure reliability. It has become mandatory in sustainable building projects in France, supporting environmental responsibility and allowing comparability between products based on their sustainability.
The FDES Certification aligns with French regulations by adhering to standards like EN 15804 + A1 and NF EN 15804/CN, meeting national requirements. This environmental product declaration, used in France, evaluates products' environmental and health impacts across their lifecycle stages (production, use, end-of-life). It complies with regulations such as the decree from December 23, 2013, which mandates the assessment of impacts on indoor air quality, water pollution, and resource use. The FDES Certification is recorded in the INIES program, providing verified environmental performance data and ensuring transparency in the ecological profile of products offered in the French market.
Both FDES Certification and EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) assess products' environmental impacts, but they differ in scope. The EPD, based on ISO 14025 and EN 15804 standards, is a globally recognized general environmental declaration, detailing a product's lifecycle assessment (LCA) impacts. FDES, however, is specifically developed for the French market, incorporating additional health information beyond what is found in an EPD. It meets French regulations like the NF EN 15804/CN standard and provides details on air, water pollution, and health impacts. FDES is required for legal compliance in the French market and must be registered with the INIES program.
To convert your Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) into an FDES (Environmental and Health Declaration Form) valid in France, it is necessary to comply with the French NF EN 15804/CN standard. This process involves recalculating the product's full lifecycle data (production, use, end-of-life stages) and including additional French-specific environmental requirements. Additionally, indicators like air and water pollution, as specified by the INIES program, must be reported. An independent third-party verification is required to prepare a compliant FDES, which is then registered in the INIES database.
An FDES Certification prepared according to NF EN 15804/CN standards requires specific data covering the environmental impacts throughout a product's lifecycle. This includes evaluations during the production (A1-A3), transport (A4), construction (A5), use (B1-B7), and end-of-life (C1-C4) stages. Key environmental indicators include climate change, ozone depletion, resource consumption (renewable and non-renewable energy), and water use. Additionally, to meet French-specific requirements, it must also evaluate health effects like air and water pollution. The certification should include the product's contributions to circular economy aspects such as recycling or reuse potential.
Calculating environmental impacts in an FDES Certification involves assessing the entire lifecycle of a product (LCA). This covers raw material extraction, production, transportation, usage, and end-of-life disposal. Environmental indicators like energy consumption, water use, and emissions (air and water pollution) are calculated for each phase. Results are reported following the EN 15804 and NF EN 15804/CN standards, with metrics such as carbon footprint (CO₂), ozone depletion, and acidification. These values are reviewed by independent verifiers and published as part of the FDES, ensuring transparency about the product's environmental performance.
FDES Certification analyzes a product's lifecycle through four main stages: production (A1-A3), construction process (A4-A5), use (B1-B7), and end-of-life (C1-C4). Each stage is assessed from a different perspective regarding environmental impacts. The production phase includes raw material extraction and manufacturing. The construction phase covers the transportation and installation impacts. The use phase considers maintenance, repair, energy, and water usage. The end-of-life phase evaluates dismantling, waste management, and recycling processes.
The primary environmental indicators in an FDES Certification focus on evaluating the environmental impacts at various lifecycle stages. Key indicators include climate change (CO₂ emissions), ozone depletion, soil and water acidification, eutrophication (nutrient enrichment), and photochemical ozone formation (smog). Other important metrics include the use of renewable and non-renewable resources, fossil fuel depletion, and water pollution. These indicators comprehensively assess the environmental effects of a product throughout its lifecycle, following established standards.
Fiche de Déclaration Environnementale et Sanitaire
The FDES Certification evaluates indoor air, water, and soil pollution to assess a product's health impacts within buildings.
INIES is the French national database that records environmental and health performance data for FDES (Environmental and Health Declaration Form) and PEP (Product Environmental Profile) certifications, supporting sustainable construction practices.
For registering an FDES with the INIES program, compliance with NF EN 15804, verified environmental data, and independent third-party validation are required.
FDES consultancy helps companies in Saudi Arabia achieve FDES certification by bridging international environmental standards and compliance with local regulations.
FDES consultancy can guide Egyptian companies through the FDES certification process, ensuring compliance with NF EN 15804 and French regulations.
FDES consultancy helps Australian manufacturers achieve FDES certification by aligning their environmental assessments with EN 15804 standards, ensuring compliance and market access.
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Italian producers can use FDES consultancy to navigate FDES certification requirements, ensuring compliance with French standards for environmental product declarations.
FDES consultancy helps bridge the gap between Korean and French EPD standards by aligning methodologies, ensuring accurate data, and facilitating FDES certification.
FDES consultancy supports New Zealand manufacturers by guiding them through FDES certification processes, ensuring compliance with French environmental and product declaration requirements.
FDES consultancy can address challenges in adapting to FDES certification requirements, bridging regulatory differences, and ensuring accurate environmental data reporting for Japan.
FDES consultancy assists US companies in achieving FDES certification by aligning their product declarations with European norms like NF EN 15804.
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