A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE ON ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATION(S) FROM 2000 TO 2024

The growing emphasis on sustainability in global policies has led to the adoption of methods like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to measure environmental effects. LCA, widely used to monitor a product’s life cycle, is complex due to the need for extensive data. One commonly used method to assess product emissions is through environmental product declarations (EPDs). Despite numerous publications on EPDs, a comprehensive overview is still lacking, especially concerning the evolution of EPD research and its long-term impact. Furthermore, the existing literature lacks a comprehensive aggregation of studies related to EPD usage. Using bibliometric analysis, this research comprehensively examines 318 EPD publications released between 2000 and 2024. Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) data were examined using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer software, applying the science mapping technique. The findings show a rise in EPD-related publications, especially since 2010. Michalak J. is the most prolific author, Italy leads in publications, University of Catania is the top university, and the International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment is the top journal. The paper identified seven clusters and highlighted areas needing further research. This review will provide important insights into the trends and future directions of EPD studies.