FDES – Environmental and Health Product Declaration: complete guide
The FDES (Environmental and Health Product Declaration) is the reference declaration for construction products on the French market. Mandatory under RE2020, it enables the integration of your materials into building environmental assessments and meets the growing requirements of project owners.
WeLOOP supports you from LCA modelling through to publication on INIES.
What is an FDES?
An FDES is a standardized environmental declaration specific to construction products intended for the French market. It is based on a complete and documented Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), covering all stages: :
It includes environmental indicators (GHG emissions, primary energy, water, waste, etc.), as well as health and comfort data, together with detailed methodological assumptions. The FDES is governed by the EN 15804+A2 standard and published in the INIES national database.
What is an FDES used for?
Integrate RE2020
Enables a product to be included in RE2020 environmental assessments, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Meet requirements
Facilitates meeting the expectations of project owners and design offices through reliable LCA documentation.
ACV fiable.
Access public and private markets
A published FDES opens access to markets,
by validating the environmental impact of the product.
Structure product performance
Helps organize and enhance the environmental performance
of a product portfolio in a structured way.
Promote a low-carbon strategy
Enables communication and demonstration
of a low-carbon approach to clients and partners.
The regulatory framework for FDES
EN 15804+A2: European framework
The EN 15804 standard defines the rules for environmental declarations of construction products. It structures life cycle modules (A1 to D) and harmonizes environmental indicators at the European level.²²²²
NF EN 15804/CN: national complement
The French national complement adapts the European standard to French regulatory requirements and makes FDES compatible with RE2020.
ISO 14025: Type III environmental declaration
The ISO 14025 standard governs third-party verified environmental declarations, based on product category rules (PCR) and an LCA methodology compliant with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards.
RE2020 and Building Code
FDES are integrated into the RE2020 environmental regulation for calculating the building carbon indicator (IC Construction).
What are the different types of FDES?
FDES
individual
Declared for a specific product, with a single declarant and a high level of precision. Ideal for highlighting a specific environmental performance.
FDES
of a product range
Groups several similar products, a single declarant, shared assumptions. Cost and time optimization. Suitable for homogeneous product families.
FDES
collective
Declared by a group of manufacturers or a collective declarant for a product or range. Sector-representative average. Relevant for SMEs or standard markets.
Configurable FDES
Automated generation of FDES and industrialization of environmental management. Relevant solution for manufacturers with a large product portfolio.
The development of an FDES
The development of an FDES requires technical expertise in LCA and a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks. The main steps are:
Definition of the scope and selection of the FDES type
Data collection and validation
LCA modelling in compliance with EN 15804+A2
Calculation of environmental indicators
Preparation of the
technical dossier
Preparation for verification and publication
How is an FDES verified?
Verification is carried out by an approved independent expert and aims to:
Without compliant verification, the FDES cannot be used within the RE2020 regulatory framework.
Publication in the INIES database
INIES is the national reference database for FDES. The quality of publication determines the regulatory acceptability of the FDES. Publication therefore involves:
Compliance
with standards
Validation by an independent verifier
Adherence to the database format and requirements
A validity period of 5 years
Why use an FDES expert?
The complexity of standards and regulatory requirements makes the involvement of a specialized consultancy essential. A poorly structured or insufficiently documented FDES may lead to rejection or corrective updates. Expert support enables:
WeLOOP supports you
We provide a rigorous, independent, and compliance-oriented methodological approach.