Sustenuto partnered with Chatron, an innovative Portuguese manufacturer of natural solar lighting solutions, to develop two Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for their product lines. This project delivers transparent, credible data and supports Chatron’s sustainability commitments—addressing market demands and evolving regulatory standards.
The Importance of Environmental Product Declarations in the Construction Sector Aligned with the New Construction Products Regulation
Chatron, based in Arouca, Portugal, is a frontrunner in designing and manufacturing sustainable lighting solutions, including solar light tubes for industrial and residential use. Driven by innovation and a dedication to environmental protection, Chatron sought to provide credible, verifiable data about their products’ life cycle impacts. The EPD project aimed to:
Support Chatron’s continuous improvement in sustainability.
Respond to growing client and regulatory demands for transparent environmental performance.
Strengthen Chatron’s competitive positioning as a leader in natural lighting systems through credible third-party certification.
The project involved close collaboration between Chatron’s quality and product design teams, Sustenuto’s EPD experts, and a third-party verifier. The collaboration spanned between 6 to 9 months, engaging stakeholders across both organisations to ensure robust, verified results.
Navigating Industry Challenges
Operating at the intersection of construction, renewable energy, and manufacturing, Chatron faces growing pressures:
Stricter Market Expectations: Client’s demand verified and quantitative sustainability claims.
Regulatory Shifts: Regulations require product-level disclosures (e.g., in green building certification schemes and product regulations).
Accountability for Circularity and Transparency: A customer base increasingly demands greater environmental transparency and material circularity.
Like many innovative SMEs, Chatron had limited internal resources for the specialised processes required for EPD development, making expert guidance essential. Leadership recognised that robust, third-party-verified EPDs would reinforce Chatron’s values of invocation, excellence, and sustainability.
Aligning with the New Construction Products Regulation (CPR)
The recent update to the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) has heightened requirements for transparency and environmental assessment in construction products across Europe. EPDs are now a key instrument for demonstrating compliance, as they provide standardised, independently verified data on a product’s life-cycle impacts.
By investing in robust EPDs, Chatron not only meets these stricter CPR obligations but also positions its solutions as verifiably sustainable choices for specifiers, architects, and contractors. This alignment ensures that Chatron’s products support customers’ compliance in regulated markets, while enhancing trust and market access.
Our Approach
Sustenuto assisted Chatron in each phase of EPD development, ensuring clarity, credibility, and compliance with international standards:
Scoping and Data Collection:
We worked closely with Chatron’s product and operations teams to identify functional units, product variants, and system boundaries in line with the relevant Product Category Rules (PCRs).Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):
Our experts conducted a rigorous LCA for both product lines using verified data from Chatron’s manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain. This included material extraction, production, use, and end-of-life phases.Drafting and reviewing the EPDs:
We developed two draft EPDs, ensuring all findings were presented in accessible language, supported with clear visuals and concise explanations. Regular reviews with Chatron’s teams allowed for iterative improvements and alignment with their communication strategy.Third-Party Verification:
Sustenuto oversaw the independent verification process, liaising with certifying bodies to deliver EPDs that meet EN 15804 and ISO 14025 standards.Capacity Building:
Throughout the process, we provided guidance and tools to the Chatron team, empowering them to maintain and communicate EPD documentation in the future.
The Results
Through this project, Chatron aspired to:
Benchmarked Environmental Impacts: Established metrics for both industrial and residential lighting solutions, using credible international standards.
Differentiated Through Verified Sustainability: Leveraged EPDs to provide transparent evidence to clients and partners.
Anticipated Regulatory and Market Needs: Remained agile and proactive in adapting to evolving expectations.
Chatron’s CEO, Carlos Brandao, highlighted appreciation for Sustenuto’s transparent, collaborative approach and the practical, actionable guidance provided throughout the project.
"The collaboration with Sustenuto was truly exemplary. They combined deep technical expertise with a close and collaborative approach, always maintaining full transparency and a strong focus on practical, effective solutions. They were, without a doubt, a strategic partner throughout this process."
Carlos Brandao
CEO Chatron
Transforming Market Communication
With EPDs in place, Chatron now leverages these declarations in client communications, compliance documentation, and sustainability marketing—demonstrating leadership in transparent, environmentally responsible innovation. Discover Chatron Solar Tubes EPDs TS350 and TS750.
How can EPDs help your company prepare for new construction product regulations? Contact us to explore transparent, future-proof solutions for your business and products.