ASCER has promoted the development of a sectorial Product Environmental Declaration (DAP). The technical work has been developed by the Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC), and the DAP has been registered under the GlobalEPD system of AENOR.

The Environmental Product Declarations (DAP) are an internationally distinctive - harmonized and comparable among the different countries - that determine the environmental impacts of the products. Currently Italy, North America and Germany have sectorial DAPs.

For the preparation of the DAP, ASCER and ITC have had the valuable collaboration of their member companies that have provided data about their Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The participating companies (representing 40% of Spanish production) have contributed with all their inventory data, and the results obtained in this study are considered to be representative of the Spanish sector of ceramic tile manufacturers. The scope of this DAP is from cradle to grave.

In addition to the sectorial DAP, ASCER has continued to promote the development of individual DAPs by manufacturing companies, because it is considered that this environmental communication tool is one of the most appropriate for transmitting the environmental impacts of the products used in buildings. Large public and private projects are introducing this label in their specifications as a requirement for ceramic coverings. In fact, ASCER developed in 2011 a computer tool that allows obtaining Environmental Product Declarations (DAPs) based on the ACV of the ceramic tile at a sectorial level, as well as on individual parameters of each installation.

DAP is an international eco-labeling system for products from the construction sector that allows certifying the environmental impact throughout the life cycle of the products and its eco-efficient manufacturing process. Specifically, the DAP is a pioneer type III eco-label in Spain that is already applicable in other countries such as Norway, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Holland, Switzerland or France, and is in the process of being established in Denmark and Italy.

This project, as well as that of the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), is part of other multiple initiatives that the ceramic sector is involved in the field of sustainability. Other examples among the most recent and illustrative of this policy in favor of the environment are the development of an environmental and energy benchmarking study in the ceramic tile industry, the participation of ASCER in the FOUNDRYTILE project, with excellent results in the field of the circular economy, or participation in the development of a Sustainability Standard for ceramic tiles within the ISO Standardization Committee.

For more information, visit www.ascer.es.