Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
Page Last Updated: May 26, 2026
General
The purpose of the Caltrans Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Implementation Project is to collect EPDs for materials incorporated into construction projects in order to quantify the Global Warming Potential (GWP) emissions in the manufacturing of those materials for our transportation system.
Buy Clean California
The Buy Clean California Act, originally signed into law on October 15, 2017 mandates collection of EPDs for eligible materials (carbon steel rebar, structural steel, flat glass, and mineral wool board insulation).
- Department Exemptions to Environmental Product Declarations in Public Contract Code § 3503 (PDF)
- Construction Manual 3-606 Buy Clean California Act
For more information on the Buy Clean California Act, please refer to 6-1.06B of the latest Standard Specification.
Hot Mix Asphalt and Concrete
For projects with bid opening dates starting February 1, 2025, Caltrans requires EPD submittals for the following materials:
- Asphalt Concrete
- Concrete
- Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU)
Contractors will also be required to submit the estimated quantities of material used and the intended material application.
To support implementation of these requirements, Caltrans hosted an Industry Outreach and Training on Caltrans EPD Requirements for Asphalt & Concrete on May 29, 2025. The training covered how to develop EPDs, an overview of new specification requirements, and a live walkthrough of the Caltrans EPD database.
This effort was developed in collaboration with the Pavement and Materials Partnering Committee (PMPC) and supported by industry input. We thank all contributors for their valuable participation.
The recorded webinar can be found here, hosted on our industry partner websites:
For more information, see the links below:
- CPD 24-8, Environmental Product Declarations for Hot Mix Asphalt and Concrete (PDF)
- Standard Special Provision 6-1.08 (PDF)
- Standard Special Provision Section 58-2.01C(9) (PDF)
New Caltrans EPD Database and FAQ's
Caltrans has developed a new database for contractors to add and submit EPDs. The new website was designed to improve the user experience and streamline the processes of entering and submitting EPDs.
A comprehensive FAQ section is also available on the EPD database to assist users with common questions about submittal requirements, system navigation, and program eligibility.
Buy Clean California Act (BCCA), Hot Mix Asphalt, and Concrete - Similarities and Differences
| BCCA | Other Materials | ||||||
| Specification Section | Standard Specification 6-1.06
|
Special Provision 6-1.08 | Special Provisions 58-2.01C(9) | ||||
| Project Requirements |
≥175 working days AND ≥$1 million |
≥175 working days AND ≥$1 million | |||||
| Materials | Carbon Steel Rebar | Structural Steel | Flat Glass | Mineral Wool Board Insulation | Hot Mix Asphalt | Concrete | Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) |
| Material Quantity Thresholds | ≥20,000 lbs per mill |
≥5,000 lbs per mill |
≥2,000 sf per manufacturer |
≥4,000 sf per manufacturer |
≥2,250 tons per plant per JMF |
≥250 cy per plant per mix design |
≥5,000 sf per manufacturer |
| Pre-Approval Process | Must be on the Caltrans AML | None | None | None | None | None | |
| Submittal Type | Action | Informational | |||||
| Submittal Process* | Submit on Caltrans EPD Database | Submit PDF copies to Engineer | Submit on Caltrans EPD Database |
||||
| Submittal Timeframe | Within 5 business days of shipment to jobsite | 15 days prior to installation | Within 30 days of initial placement |
||||
| Submit Info | Total Project quantity or per shipment quantity |
One per EPD, include estimated quantity and intended use |
|||||
| Potential Withhold | Per standard contract documents |
$6,000 for each missing EPD |
|||||
| Material Installation | Material shall not be installed until Section 6-1.06B requirements are met | For any missing submittal, DO NOT stop work unless specified in the contract documents |
|||||
Product Category Rules
Use the product category rule in effect on the date of bid opening unless otherwise authorized. Where a product category rule for material or product has expired without replacement as of the bid opening date, no environmental product declaration is required for that particular material or product.
Where separate bid item exists (Pilot Projects only): Submit a schedule of values for material and product environmental product declarations within 15 days after Contract approval.
| Material or Product | Applicable PCR | Range of Applicability |
| Carbon Steel Rebar and Structural Steel |
North American Product Category Rule for Designated Steel Construction Products (Expired) Product Category Rule (PCR) Guidance for Building-Related Products and Services Part B: Designated Steel Construction Product EPD Requirements (Expired) Smart EPD Part B PCR for: Designated Steel Construction Products |
May 5, 2015 / May 5, 2020 August 26, 2020 / August 2025 April 3, 2025 / April 3, 2030 |
| Flat Glass |
NGA Flat Glass PCR v2 ext GANA Product Category Rule for Flat Glass - UN CPC 3711 (Expired) |
September 30, 2025 / September 30, 2026 March 31, 2014 / March 31, 2020 |
| Mineral Wool Board Insulation |
Part B: Building Envelope Thermal Insulation EPD Requirements Edition 4 Part B Building Envelope Thermal Insulation EPD Requirements (Expired) |
November 3, 2025 / November 30, 2030 January 15, 2025 /June 30, 2025 |
| Aggregate |
NSF International 1-Year Extension of ASTM International's Product Category Rules for Preparing an Environmental Product Declaration for Construction Aggregates: Natural Aggregate, Crushed Concrete, and Iron/Steel Furnace Slag (Expired) |
January 2017 / December 31, 2023 (2-year extension) April 2024 / December 31, 2028 |
| Asphalt Concrete |
National Asphalt Pavement Association Product Category Rules for Asphalt Mixtures (Expired) 1-Year Extension of National Asphalt Pavement Association Product Category Rules for Asphalt Mixtures (Expired) National Asphalt Pavement Association Product Category Rules (PCR) for Asphalt Mixtures |
January 31, 2017 / January 2022 January 31, 2017 / March 31, 2022 April 2022 / March 2027 |
| Concrete | Ready-Mix Concrete PCR v3 |
April 2026 / April 30, 2031 |
| Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) | Product Category Rule for CMU | March 1, 2022 / March 1, 2027 |
Program Operator Consortium (POC) develops PCRs, reviews and verifies EPDs, reports Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and publishes customized Type III environmental declaration formats in accordance with the International Standard ISO 14025.
Additional Resources
- How to create a DIME account (video)
- Find PCRs and EPDs on their website programoperators.org
- Caltrans EPD Authorized Materials List
- For any project specific questions, please contact your METS Representative
- For general EPD questions, contact EPD@dot.ca.gov