Abstract
The growing awareness about environmental issues places greater responsibility on firms to transmit information about the environmental quality of their products. One of the most innovative ways to achieve this objective is through the ‘environmental product declaration’. Unfortunately, from an operating viewpoint, there is a very little evidence on the effects associated with the introduction of this label. In lieu of this context, the paper suggests operating guidelines and a methodological approach for managers who aim to understand under which conditions the EPD can represent a useful tool for the company’s competitiveness. In particular, the paper will identify (1) the specific peculiarities and requirements of the EPD; (2) the EPD parameters of attractiveness, related to its potential costs and benefits; (3) an operational framework in order to assess the EPD target audience. In this respect, an empirical analysis on 17 Italian firms will be carried out.