Low Embodied Carbon (LEC) Cold-Formed Steel Framing Systems

This EPD covers Low Embodied Carbon (LEC) Cold-Formed Steel Products as defined by the United States General Services Administration’s (GSA) Interim IRA Low Embodied Carbon Material Requirements top 20% limit for cold-formed and galvanized steel products, as well as private sector projects looking to achieve low embodied carbon optimization. 100% of LEC cold-formed steel framing products represented by this EPD originate from an EAF steel mill. These products will be identified and differentiated using a label that clearly shows the acronym LEC (Low Embodied Carbon) on the skid, bundle, bucket, carton or box, and when possible will also be included in the inkjet string on individual products.

Cold-formed steel framing products have bare steel thicknesses in the range of 26 gauge (0.0120 inches) to 10 gauge (0.1180 inches). Using cold-formed steel, innovative products are manufactured for use as interior and exterior framing and finishing, floor framing, steel and wood framing connectors, metal lath and accessories. These products are most commonly used as specified and in compliance with the International Building Code, International Residential Code and State and Local Building Codes.

Disclaimers:

This EPD has been developed as part of a pilot project initiated by EPD North America on behalf of the North American market. Please reach out to EPD North America to find out more about this on this link: https://epdna.com/.

Not all requirements in the GPI are fulfilled, particularly the requirement, for construction products, to follow EN 15804 for certain aspects of the LCA method.

This EPD is based on a PCR that satisfies procurement rules at the federal, state, and municipal levels which call for EPDs based on the UL Part B PCR. The UL Part B PCR was used to meet regulatory (example: Buy Clean California Act, etc.) and market expectations (example: Building Transparency EC3 comparisons, LEED and existing vendor procurement requirements, product scoring programs, etc.). The EPD should not be used outside of this context.