Verified EPDs and DPPs at Scale: Emidat is the only platform in this comparison offering verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) at scale without requiring LCA expertise, making it ideal for manufacturers needing fast, cost-effective, and scalable environmental data management.
LCA Software for Different Needs: Tools like OneClick LCA and Sphera (GaBi) are better suited for building-level LCA or expert LCA modelling, while Emidat, Climate Earth, and LCA.no cater to manufacturers without LCA expertise, offering easy-to-use platforms for EPD creation.
DPP Readiness for 2026: As the EU Construction Products Regulation requires DPPs by 2026, Emidat is the only tool currently supporting DPP creation, making it the most future-proof choice for manufacturers planning long-term environmental data management.
"LCA software" is a broad category, though. Some tools were built for researchers, others for architects, others for manufacturers. Choosing the wrong one costs months of implementation time and thousands of euros — before you discover it doesn't fit your workflow.
This guide compares nine tools from a manufacturer's perspective. We evaluate each tool on the criteria that matter most when the goal is verified EPDs and DPPs across a full product portfolio.
This comparison is published by Emidat. We have done our best to be accurate and fair about all tools listed — including our own limitations. If you spot an error, please let us know.
Emidat connects to your ERP and energy management systems, automates LCA calculations, and generates third-party verified EPDs and DPPs. The platform implements specific product category rules (PCRs), which means data inputs are tailored to your product group and the platform itself is verified — reducing verification time and cost per product.
Strengths:
Only platform with PCR implementation — verification is limited to input data, not the full LCA model
Publishes directly to multiple program operators (NMD, INIES, IBU and more)
Calculates product profiles in seconds
Cross-functional access: sustainability, R&D, sales, and quality teams can all use the platform
Limitations:
Less flexibility for individual LCA model customisation post-verification (tradeoff of the pre-verified approach)
Newer company — reference list is growing but not as long as established players
Not suitable for manufacturers who exclusively need unverified PCFs/LCAs
Pricing: Tiered subscription (usage-based). Verification costs included and significantly lower than competitors. Unlimited EPD generation available at higher tiers.
Best for: Manufacturers who want verified EPDs and DPPs across their full product portfolio without hiring LCA consultants.
"After a half-hour introduction, I could already work independently with the tool and teach myself the rest intuitively. That was super good — it was even fun to use." — Francis Müller, Novoferm
"If you consider that a single EPD used to cost around €8,000 to €10,000, the license pays off after just the second or third EPD." — Nell Stankewitz, Novoferm
LCA and EPD platform with strong roots in building assessment for architects and contractors.
OneClick LCA offers LCA modelling, EPD creation, and a large database of 500,000+ datasets. The platform serves both building design (architects, contractors) and manufacturers. It provides a standard EPD generator, pre-verified EPD generator, and specific tools for concrete and luminaires.
Strengths:
Large database (500,000+ datasets across 170+ countries)
Strong in building LCA for design professionals
Supports multiple EPD program operators
Recently acquired SimaPro, expanding capabilities
Limitations:
Harder to use — typically requires LCA knowledge or training
Operates its own program operator (EPD Hub), creating a grey area where EPD creation and verification aren't fully separated
Generic data inputs across all product categories, not tailored to individual product groups
No DPP support
Per-EPD verification and publication fees add up at scale
Pricing: Three tiers (Business, Expert Pack, Power Pack). Verification and publication costs on top. Specific pricing not publicly listed.
Best for: Architects, contractors, and sustainability consultants running building LCA. Manufacturers with in-house LCA expertise who need flexible modelling.
Enterprise LCA suite built on the proprietary GaBi database — designed for LCA experts and consultants.
Sphera offers LCA for Experts (formerly GaBi), LCA Calculator (cloud-based, simpler), and LCA Automation (custom-built for individual manufacturers). The GaBi database contains 20,000+ DEKRA-verified datasets across 60+ industries. Most manufacturers use Sphera through a consulting engagement rather than as self-service software.
The academic standard for life cycle assessment — deep modelling for LCA researchers and professionals.
SimaPro provides detailed LCA modelling with full control over methodology, impact assessment methods, and data sources. Widely used in academic research and by LCA consultants. Available in two versions: SimaPro Craft (desktop) and SimaPro Synergy (enterprise). Recently acquired by OneClick LCA.
Strengths:
Scientific rigour — the gold standard for academic LCA
Full modelling flexibility and methodology customisation
Large community and extensive documentation
Access to multiple databases including Ecoinvent and Agri-Footprint
Limitations:
Cannot output finished EPDs — it's a modelling tool only
Requires deep LCA expertise to operate
No built-in verification workflow
No DPP support
Desktop-based (Craft version), not cloud-native
Now owned by OneClick LCA — future direction uncertain
Pricing: Subscription-based. Cheaper than Sphera but still requires consulting for EPD output.
Best for: LCA researchers, academics, and consultants who need granular modelling control. Not designed for manufacturers producing EPDs.
LCA automation software for manufacturers — strongest in the Dutch market.
Ecochain helps manufacturers measure, manage, and communicate environmental impact at scale. The platform creates product carbon footprints (PCFs), LCA reports, and EPDs. Publishes to NMD, MRPI, EPD International and IBU. Quotes €50/EPD at scale.
Strengths:
Strong in the Dutch market with deep local expertise
"Verify once, pay once" model
B-Corp certified
450+ manufacturer customers
Supports multiple industries
Limitations:
Managing two products following a migration challenge — quality has suffered
Recent loss of key EPD expertise
No DPP support
ERP integration still in development
Stronger on PCFs than verified EPDs
Pricing: Not publicly listed. Quotes €50/EPD at scale.
Best for: Dutch manufacturers needing PCFs and EPDs.
Cloud-based EPD platform with deep roots in the Nordic market.
LCA.no enables manufacturers to create, manage, and publish verified EPDs through a cloud platform. Provides EPD generator, transport calculator, and project module. Strong Nordic track record (NorDan: 400,000+ project EPDs).
Strengths:
One of the strongest EPD platforms on the product side
Strong Nordic customer base
Industry-specific modules
Impressive scale (NorDan: 400,000+ project EPDs)
Consultancy support included
Limitations:
No DPP support
Primarily Nordic/European focus
Less well known outside Scandinavia
API integration less mature
Pricing: From NOK 50,000/EPD for manual development. Custom pricing at scale.
Best for: Nordic manufacturers who need proven EPD creation with strong local support.
Free, open-source LCA software — professional modelling for teams with expertise and budget constraints.
Free desktop app for LCA, maintained by GreenDelta since 2006. Supports multiple databases.
Strengths:
Free
Open source with active community
Multiple databases
Full modelling flexibility
Mature (since 2006)
Limitations:
Cannot produce EPDs
No verification
No DPP
Requires extensive expertise
Desktop only
No automation
No manufacturer workflows
Pricing: Free.
Best for: Budget-constrained teams with LCA expertise. Not suitable for EPDs/DPPs.
Recommendations by use case
I need verified EPDs and DPPs across my full product portfolio
Emidat. Pre-verified platform, tailored data inputs per product category, DPP support, and cross-functional team access. The fastest path from zero to full portfolio coverage.
I need building LCA for design and construction
OneClick LCA. Strong database, BIM integrations, and established in architecture and construction consulting.
Ineed the GaBi database and deep custom LCA modelling
Sphera. If your LCA team specifically needs GaBi data and you have budget for consulting engagements, Sphera remains the standard for expert-level modelling.
I'm doing academic LCA research
SimaPro or openLCA. SimaPro for full methodological support. openLCA if budget is the main constraint.
I'm a Nordic manufacturer focused on EPDs
LCA.no. Proven track record in Scandinavian markets with strong local support. Consider Emidat if DPP readiness matters for your roadmap.
I'm a Dutch manufacturer
Ecochain for strong local support and NMD publication, or Emidat for broader international coverage and DPP readiness.
I'm a concrete/cement producer in the US
Climate Earth. Purpose-built for your industry with AI mix optimisation. No other tool matches this specialisation.
I'm in electronics and need supply chain sustainability intelligence
Makersite. Strong in electronics supply chain intelligence. If you also need verified EPDs, pair with a dedicated EPD tool.
I have no budget
OpenLCA. Free, professional LCA modelling. Be prepared to invest significant time and expertise.
The EU Construction Products Regulation will require manufacturers to provide digital, machine-readable environmental data. Static PDF EPDs won't be sufficient. Of the nine tools compared here, only one currently supports DPP creation. This is not a future feature — it is available today.
For manufacturers choosing a platform in 2026, DPP readiness is not a nice-to-have. It determines whether you will need to migrate platforms again in the next few years.
How to decide: a decision framework
Ask yourself five questions:
Do you need verified EPDs or just LCA models? If you need verified, publishable EPDs: Emidat, OneClick LCA, LCA.no, Ecochain, or Climate Earth. If you just need LCA models: Sphera, SimaPro, or openLCA.
Do you have in-house LCA expertise? If no: Emidat, Climate Earth, or LCA.no. If yes: any tool on this list — but consider whether expert flexibility is worth the slower output.
Do you need DPP support? If yes (or want to be ready): Emidat is currently the only option.
How many products do you need to cover? Fewer than 5: consulting or LCA.no's manual approach may work. 10+: you need a scalable platform (Emidat, OneClick LCA, or Ecochain). 100+: Emidat's pre-verified approach becomes a clear cost advantage.
Which markets do you sell into? Pan-European (NMD, INIES, IBU): Emidat or Ecochain. Nordic only: LCA.no is strong. US concrete market: Climate Earth. Global: Emidat or OneClick LCA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best EPD software for manufacturers in 2026? It depends on your needs. For verified EPDs and DPPs at scale without LCA expertise, Emidat is the strongest choice. For building LCA, OneClick LCA leads. For concrete specifically, Climate Earth is purpose-built.
Can I create EPDs without LCA knowledge? Yes — Emidat, Climate Earth, and LCA.no are all designed for non-experts. Sphera, SimaPro, and openLCA require LCA training.
Which EPD software supports Digital Product Passports? As of 2026, Emidat is the only EPD platform with DPP support.
How much does EPD software cost? The range is wide. openLCA is free (but no EPD output). Ecochain quotes €50/EPD at scale. Emidat's subscription model pays off after 2–3 EPDs compared to traditional consulting at €8,000–€10,000/EPD. Sphera and Makersite have enterprise pricing with additional consulting costs.
Which LCA database should I use — GaBi or Ecoinvent? Ecoinvent is the most widely used LCA background database globally. GaBi (Sphera's proprietary database) is comprehensive but creates vendor lock-in. All tools except Sphera use Ecoinvent. Switching from GaBi to Ecoinvent is manageable — equivalent data exists for all common materials.
Not sure which tool fits your workflow?
The fastest way to find out is to see a platform in action with your own products. Request a demo and we will walk you through a comparison using your own data.
Related comparisons
Emidat vs OneClick LCA — how Emidat compares to OneClick LCA's EPD and building-level LCA tools
Emidat vs Sphera — how Emidat compares to Sphera's GaBi database and consulting model
