The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA) has released its new industry-wide Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for corrugated steel pipe, providing engineers, owners, contractors, municipalities, and specifiers with independently verified environmental information developed through a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Independently verified by SCS Global Services, the declaration provides transparent, science-based environmental information developed in accordance with internationally recognized standards. Representing production across participating NCSPA member facilities throughout North America, the EPD establishes a valuable industry benchmark for environmental transparency while supporting informed infrastructure decisions.
A Milestone for the Corrugated Steel Pipe Industry
As sustainability continues to shape infrastructure planning, project owners and designers increasingly seek reliable environmental information to support responsible material selection.
The NCSPA Environmental Product Declaration answers that need by providing standardized environmental data for corrugated steel pipe using internationally recognized Life Cycle Assessment methodologies. Rather than serving as a marketing document, the EPD delivers objective, third-party verified information that can be used to better understand the environmental profile of corrugated steel pipe throughout defined stages of its life cycle.
“The release of our new Environmental Product Declaration is an important milestone for the corrugated steel pipe industry,” said Michael McGough, Executive Director of the National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association. “It provides our members, engineers, and project owners with a credible, third-party verified resource for discussing sustainability practices and policies. Just as importantly, it establishes a benchmark that will help identify opportunities for continuous improvement in areas such as transportation, fabrication, and end-of-life recovery.”
Built on International Standards
Environmental Product Declarations are standardized reports that communicate the environmental impacts associated with a product over specific stages of its life cycle.
The NCSPA EPD was developed using a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment and follows internationally recognized standards, including ISO 14025 and ISO 21930, while utilizing the applicable Smart EPD Product Category Rules for steel construction products. Independent verification by SCS Global Services ensures the declaration meets the required program and reporting standards.
Unlike environmental marketing claims, an EPD provides transparent, measurable environmental information using a consistent reporting framework that can be referenced by engineers, architects, contractors, owners, and public agencies.
Representing North American Corrugated Steel Pipe
The declaration represents production-weighted average environmental data from participating NCSPA member manufacturing facilities throughout North America.
Products included within the EPD encompass galvanized, aluminized, and polymer-laminated corrugated steel pipe used across numerous infrastructure applications, including culverts, storm sewers, stormwater management systems, utility conduits, underpasses, and foundation structures.
By representing the industry as a whole rather than a single manufacturer, the EPD provides designers and project owners with a comprehensive environmental profile for corrugated steel pipe produced by participating NCSPA member companies.
Supporting Sustainable Infrastructure
The Environmental Product Declaration evaluates environmental impacts from raw material extraction through manufacturing while also reporting additional end-of-life modules.
Among the environmental indicators included are:
- Global warming potential
- Resource use
- Water consumption
- Waste generation
- Manufacturing impacts
- Transportation impacts
- End-of-life recovery potential
The declaration also reports that representative corrugated steel pipe contains at least 55% total recycled steel by mass, demonstrating the significant role recycled materials play in modern steel manufacturing.
As agencies continue expanding sustainability initiatives and environmental reporting requirements, Environmental Product Declarations have become increasingly valuable resources for documenting environmental performance throughout the design and procurement process.
Building a Foundation for the Future
Beyond providing transparency for today’s projects, the Environmental Product Declaration establishes an important benchmark for the corrugated steel pipe industry.
The data contained within the EPD will help identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the product life cycle, including transportation, manufacturing, material sourcing, and end-of-life recovery. Future updates can build upon this foundation while continuing to provide the engineering community with consistent, credible environmental information.
The declaration reinforces NCSPA’s ongoing commitment to advancing resilient, sustainable infrastructure through education, technical leadership, and transparent environmental reporting.
Learn More
Engineers, owners, contractors, municipalities, and specifiers are encouraged to explore the new Environmental Product Declaration and the educational resources available through NCSPA.
Visit the Corrugated Steel Pipe Environmental Product Declaration page to learn more about the declaration, download the complete document, and discover how Environmental Product Declarations support informed infrastructure decisions.
About the National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association
Founded in 1956, the National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA) promotes the use of corrugated steel pipe and related products through research, education, technical resources, and industry advocacy. Representing manufacturers across North America, NCSPA provides engineers, contractors, owners, and public agencies with the information needed to design resilient, economical, and sustainable infrastructure solutions.