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Embodied Carbon Verification (ECV)

The ECV scheme provides manufacturers with added credibility by independently verifying their CIBSE TM65 calculations through an industry-recognised Certification Body.

The ECV scheme is an initiative developed in consultation with CIBSE TM65 to advance environmentally friendly practices within the built environment. It covers MEP products used for heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, electrical and public health but does not include non-standard equipment such as photovoltaics.

What can the ECV Scheme offer your business?

Strengthen your sustainability credentials
Meet growing client and regulatory demands
Gain a competitive edge in environmentally focused tenders
Support industry wide decarbonisation goals
Be featured in upcoming ECV register of verified products
Supports decarbonisation with ECV data planned for future CIBSE-issued EPDs

ECV details and FAQs

The CIBSE TM65 publication provides the recognised methodology for assessing embodied carbon in MEP products. The guidance, along with the self-assessment tool, is available from CIBSE

It helps consultants by providing assurance that the embodied carbon claims are based on solid evidence and that any changes to the product over time are reflected in the certified values.

By participating in the ECV scheme, manufacturers gain the opportunities to have their embodied carbon calculations independently verified, enhancing the credibility of their claims and showcasing a clear commitment to environmental responsibility.  

An innovative ISO 17065 based scheme developed with CIBSE and a pool of early adopters of CIBSE TM65:2021 using the methodology as a basis to calculate the embodied carbon emissions for MEP products.

Ensures a consistent approach for evaluating all products using a risk based methodology.

Certification of product families for a 3-year period with annual surveillance.

Certification confidential unless otherwise indicated.

Plans are in place to launch a register of ECV products to meet the needs of consultants and manufacturers in October 2025. 

  • Developed with CIBSE and administered by CIBSE certification, a wholly owned CIBSE subsidiary
  • Service provided by a Certification Body accredited and approved to deliver services across the built environment
  • Provides assurance of data, and includes monitoring of any changes
  • Useful basis for end users to compare and select products
  • Costs are very competitive in comparison to EPD’s
  • Helps manufacturers on their decarbonisation journey with plans for ECV data to be used in future CIBSE issued EDPs currently in development
  • ECV verified products will be featured in upcoming ECV register of verified products.

As efforts to reduce operational carbon emissions progress, more emphasis is increasingly being placed on embodied carbon emissions.

End users are increasingly using embodied carbon emissions as a deciding factor when selecting products.

The carbon emissions from the materials used to construct a product, including:
• Extraction
• Manufacturing
• Transportation
• Installation

It is measured using Lifecycle assessment (LCA) methodologies and reported via Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

In the absence of EPDs, CIBSE TM65: 2021 provides a useful estimation method.

It is a widely acclaimed publication and methodology established by CIBSE by working with it networks to develop a consistent way of estimating embodied carbon emissions for MEP products.

It is useful way of calculating emissions in the absence of EPDs for products used for heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, electrical and public health. See CIBSE TM65: An internationally applicable methodology for the calculation of embodied carbon in building services engineering for more details.

Yes, the embodied carbon verification scheme covers all current variations e.g. CIBSE TM65LA, CIBSE TM65UAE, CIBSE TM65ANZ, CIBSE TM65NA, CIBSE TM65.1, CIBSE TM65.2, CIBSE TM65.3, and will also cover future variations CIBSE TM65.x

While the variants of TM65 do establish benchmarks for products within specific sectors, the core calculation methodology for embodied carbon remains unchanged.

Ready to start your decarbonisation journey?