EIMA Launches Comprehensive Sustainability Initiative for EIFS Industry in North America
EIMA Launches Comprehensive Sustainability Initiative for EIFS Industry in North America
The EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) is leading a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing sustainability practices within the Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) sector. This ambitious program is designed to create vital documentation, including a Product Category Rule (PCR), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
In a remarkable show of collaboration, all American manufacturers, including both members and non-members of EIMA, are participating in this comprehensive sustainability effort. This reflects the industry's collective dedication to fostering sustainable building practices and ensuring transparency in construction.
Collaborative Framework
Supporting this initiative is a strong alliance that includes the EIFS Council of Canada and ADEX Systems, a Canadian manufacturer that is actively involved in the EIMA Board. This partnership signifies a commitment to a unified North American approach to sustainability in the EIFS industry.
Major U.S. manufacturers involved in the initiative comprise leading companies such as Dryvit Systems (part of Tremco CPG), Master Wall, Inc., Sika USA, Sto Corp., and several others. Their inclusion highlights the extensive participation and dedication of the industry toward sustainable practices.
Scientific Rigor through Third-Party Collaboration
To ensure that the initiative adheres to high scientific standards, EIMA has allied with Smart EPD, an established program known for its environmental product declarations, along with TrueNorth Collective, an expert in life cycle assessments and sustainability reporting. This collaboration aims to establish a robust set of rules and guidelines that will allow for consistent reporting across similar products.
The development of the PCR will be informed by a thorough LCA, which will assess the environmental impact of EIFS from the extraction of raw materials to the end of its lifecycle. The cumulative result of these actions will be a comprehensive Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which will provide transparent and comparable data about the environmental performance of EIFS products.
A Unified Commitment to Sustainability
As EIMA President Jose Berlingeri from Sto Corp. states, "This unified effort by the EIFS manufacturing community reflects our shared commitment to sustainable building practices." By specifically developing a PCR, LCA, and EPD for EIFS, the industry aims to arm architects and designers with credible data to facilitate environmentally responsible decision-making in construction projects.
Jeff Zeman, Principal of TrueNorth Collective, emphasizes the importance of industry participation right from the outset for creating a robust and insightful dataset necessary for the development of effective LCAs and PCRs. Anna Lasso, CEO of Smart EPD, adds that the robust PCR framework will uphold scrutiny from architects, engineers, and the broader sustainability community.
Path Forward
This critical documentation will not only support green building certification processes but also guide product selection and illustrate the role that EIFS plays in contributing to energy efficiency and environmental performance in modern construction. The initiative highlights a key moment in the EIFS sector's journey towards enhanced sustainability.
Stakeholders interested in contributing to the development of the PCR are encouraged to submit applications via Smart EPD by August 8, 2025. Further information about the wrap-up of this significant initiative can be found on EIMA's website, www.EIMA.com.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the EIMA's initiative signals a vital step forward in the quest for sustainability within the EIFS industry, combining efforts across North America to achieve shared goals and promote responsible construction practices.