IVL intensifies work on environmental product declarations in China

IVL's work in China has evolved from individual projects and technology transfer to IVL now being established in areas such as environmental product declarations and life cycle assessment. Gao Si, head of IVL's Chinese office, discusses the sustainability issues that are most critical in China right now.

In recent years, we have intensified our work with green technology and contributed to the development and adaptation of policies in the environmental and sustainability area. The main focus has been on helping companies understand global supply chains, and how these can become greener, says Gao Si, head of IVL in China.

When IVL began working in China in 1986, many projects focused on environmental technology in water treatment and air monitoring. Today there is a more long-term strategic focus on partnerships, digitalization and global projects.

One of the cornerstones in recent years has been life cycle assessment. IVL helps both large Chinese companies and global corporations with environmental calculations for their value chains. Another major focus is third-party certified environmental product declarations (EPDs), which calculate the total emissions of a product's supply chains.

Due to legal requirements, this work has intensified in recent years. Today, IVL's Chinese team is one of the most recognized in the field of environment and sustainability, with projects in environmental product declarations, climate calculations and green supply chains.

IVL's Executive Vice President Anna Söderholm explains that IVL has a long tradition of working with a systems perspective to learn where the largest environmental emissions occur:

The legislation aims to address the global manufacturing chains and the total climate emissions involved in manufacturing a product. China is a major supplier to the EU, and purchasers from the EU require reporting on environmental impact. This is why cooperation with IVL, that works both within the EU and in China, is particularly interesting for the Chinese market.

Digital tools optimize work

During the spring, IVL assisted several leading global and Chinese companies with EPD certifications in steel, aluminium and electronics. In addition, the digital tool Power EPD was launched. Power EPD is China's first digital tool recognized by EPD International, which certifies environmental product declarations for products. The tool was developed by IVL in China in collaboration with the Chinese engineering and energy company PCCC.

Power EPD converts data into practical tools and reports. This enables companies to quickly and efficiently declare the environmental impact of products such as solar inverters and batteries. Chinese companies such as TBEA and Sungrow have already used the tool for EPDs in solar energy equipment, says Gao Si.

At the same time, IVL's international initiative for life cycle thinking (LCT) has entered an intensive implementation phase in China. Several industry-specific working groups have been established to integrate policy research, standard development and business applications. Project groups in renewable energy, building materials, transport, batteries and appliances are now working to promote collaboration between companies, researchers and state agencies. In addition, the work serves as a bridge between the EU's and China's sustainability standards for products.

Sustainable systems for food

Another focus during the year has been the EU SWITCH-Asia SAFE research project, which aims to create sustainable systems for the production and transport of fresh food in China. In collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, industry associations and others, life cycle analyses, environmental impact assessments and studies for green certification are being carried out.

The aim is to convert research results into system solutions that support rural development and the green transition in agriculture, says Gao Si.

As in Sweden, the green transition is high on China's sustainability agenda. China is closely following developments in the EU and looking at what adjustments it needs to make going forward, including when it comes to the EU's climate policy instrument CBAM, ESG sustainability reporting and other policies.

Renewable energy and circular economy

Green transition in renewable energy and manufacturing, especially solar cells, batteries and power equipment, are hot topics in China. The circular economy and recycling of energy equipment and agricultural logistics are also important issues. And, of course, the focus on digital transformation remains, says Gao Si.

This year, China and Sweden can look back on 75 years of diplomatic relations. And next year, IVL will celebrate 40 years of work in China. Gao Si and Anna Söderholm see IVL as an important link in Swedish-Chinese cooperation on the environment and sustainability.

IVL has an important role in the transition. Our goal is to support global companies operating in the Chinese market with knowledge of both Chinese and global requirements. We want to continue to strengthen our local presence while thinking globally and creating an important bridge between Sweden and China, and the world, in the field of sustainability, says Anna Söderholm.

For more information, contact:
Anna Söderholm, anna.soderholm@ivl.se, tel. +46 (0)10-788 65 76
Gao Si, si.gao@ivl.se