🔢How to use the "I want to associate EPDs" mode in the Vizcab Excel Add-in?

Introduction

The "I want to associate EPDs" mode of the Vizcab add-in for Excel is designed for users who do not yet have EPD IDs for their products but wish to associate the most appropriate EPDs based on their product descriptions.

Configuring Source Columns

To effectively use this mode, you need to prepare your Excel sheet with the following source columns:

• Construction material description: Description of the material. This is the key data that the add-in will use to search for the appropriate EPD.
• EPD Quantity: Quantity of each product, used to calculate the impact based on volume or number of units.
• Material Unit: The unit of measurement for the relevant material (e.g., kilogram, square meter).

Columns to to be filled by the Add-In

After defining the source columns, you can choose the information you want Vizcab to fill by setting the columns to populate. The Vizcab add-in will automatically fill the following columns in your Excel sheet:

• EPD ID: Identifier of the EPD that best matches the product description.
• EPD Name: Name of the associated EPD.
• EPD Type: Type of EPD (Single product, market, by default...).
• EPD Unit: Unit of the EPD (might differ from the EPD unit).
• GWP for stages A1-A3 (kg CO2 eq): The associated Global Warming Potential Indicator. A1-A3 (from the phases extraction to the processing of raw materials phase) describes the manufacturing life cycle stage of the product taken into account.

• Available options if you choose the INIES database :

  • GWP for all LCA stages (kg CO2 eq.): The associated Global Warming Potential Indicator for all the life cycle stages of the product.
  • GWPD for all LCA stages (kg eq. CO₂): The associated Dynamic Global Warming Potential Indicator for all the life cycle stages of the product. The dynamic part means that it takes into account the life expectancy of the product and not only the one of the building.
  • EPD Status: Indicates whether the EPD is still valid, expired, or updated.