How Legrand’s EPD & PEP Data Supports Sustainable Ups Selection And Carbon Reduction

Sustainability is quickly becoming a deciding factor in how organisations design and manage their infrastructure. It’s no longer enough to simply improve energy efficiency, businesses are now expected to demonstrate measurable environmental performance across the entire lifecycle of the products they use. This is where Legrand’s Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Product Environmental Profiles (PEPs) play a critical role, particularly when evaluating uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

Legrand provides EPD and PEP documentation aligned with ISO 14025 across its product families, offering transparent, independently verified data on environmental impact. For organisations working towards carbon reduction targets or aligning with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), this level of detail enables smarter, evidence-based decision making.

Why EPD and PEP Matter

An EPD or PEP acts as a comprehensive snapshot of a product’s environmental footprint, covering everything from raw material extraction through to end-of-life disposal. Instead of relying on general sustainability claims, these declarations provide quantified data based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies.

For UPS systems, this is particularly valuable. These systems operate continuously and form a critical part of infrastructure in data centres, healthcare, and industrial environments. As a result, their environmental impact is significant, not just in manufacturing, but throughout their operational life.

Legrand’s PEPs reveal that the use phase typically accounts for the majority of a UPS system’s environmental impact, driven largely by energy consumption. This insight allows organisations to prioritise efficiency improvements while also considering material composition and end-of-life performance.

 

UPS and the Circular Economy

Beyond operational efficiency, Legrand integrates circular economy principles into the design of its UPS systems. This includes a focus on durability, ease of maintenance, and the ability to disassemble products for recycling or reuse. These design choices directly influence the recyclability rate, a key metric highlighted in Legrand’s PEP documentation.

Recyclability rates vary across UPS models, reflecting differences in materials and construction. For example, some Legrand UPS systems, such as the Keor HPE achieve recyclability rates of 90%, while others may be closer to 50% depending on complexity and component mix. This variation highlights the importance of selecting equipment not only based on performance, but also on its long-term environmental impact.

By choosing products with higher recyclability, organisations can reduce waste and support resource recovery, contributing to broader sustainability goals and circular economy initiatives.

Supporting Carbon Reduction and SBTi Goals

For many organisations, the biggest challenge in reducing emissions lies in addressing Scope 3 emissions, which include the environmental impact of purchased goods and services. UPS systems fall directly into this category, making their selection a key lever for reducing indirect emissions.

Legrand’s EPD and PEP data provides the transparency needed to tackle this challenge. With access to verified environmental metrics, businesses can compare products, identify lower-impact options, and integrate sustainability into procurement strategies. This is essential for organisations working towards Science Based Targets, where emissions reductions must be measurable and aligned with climate science.

By incorporating environmental data into infrastructure decisions, companies can move beyond high-level commitments and take practical steps towards achieving net zero.

A Smarter Approach to Sustainable Infrastructure

As sustainability expectations continue to grow, the need for reliable, standardised environmental data becomes increasingly important. Legrand’s commitment to providing ISO 14025-compliant EPD and PEP documentation ensures that organisations have the information they need to make informed decisions.

When it comes to UPS systems, this goes far beyond energy efficiency. It enables a deeper understanding of lifecycle impact, supports carbon reduction strategies, and helps organisations align with global sustainability frameworks such as SBTi.

In a landscape where every decision counts, having access to clear, credible environmental data isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.