Hyundai Rotem said on the 2nd it obtained an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification for GTX Line A trains from EPD Global, a European EPD certification body. This is the first time a rail vehicle operating in Korea has received EPD certification.
EPD certification is a system that discloses environmental impacts, including greenhouse gases, throughout the entire life cycle of products and services, from materials and supplies acquisition to production, distribution, use, and disposal. Korea and the European Union (EU) mutually recognize it.
Hyundai Rotem earlier launched a joint study in 2023 with the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) on "carbon reduction technology development across the entire life cycle of rail vehicles." The partners calculated the environmental impacts of the GTX-A trains and carried out verification procedures in line with the EPD certification framework.
With this certification, the ordering authority can check major environmental impacts of Hyundai Rotem's GTX-A rail vehicles, including product carbon footprint (PCF) and ozone depletion potential (ODP). Hyundai Rotem expects this will boost its bid competitiveness in the global market.
Countries such as those in Europe and Australia, considered advanced rail markets, are requiring global environmental certifications when ordering rolling stock, prompting major rail vehicle manufacturers to proactively obtain EPD certification.
Hyundai Rotem also plans to expand EPD certification to other rail vehicles beyond the GTX-A trains.