EN 15978:2011

Sustainability of construction works - Assessment of environmental performance of buildings - Calculation method

This European Standard specifies the calculation method, based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and other quantified environmental information, to assess the environmental performance of a building, and gives the means for the reporting and communication of the outcome of the assessment. The standard is applicable to new and existing buildings and refurbishment projects.
The standard gives:
- the description of the object of assessment;
- the system boundary that applies at the building level;
- the procedure to be used for the inventory analysis;
- the list of indicators and procedures for the calculations of these indicators;
- the requirements for presentation of the results in reporting and communication;
- and the requirements for the data necessary for the calculation.
The approach to the assessment covers all stages of the building life cycle and is based on data obtained from Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), their "information modules" (prEN 15804) and other information necessary and relevant for carrying out the assessment. The assessment includes all building related construction products, processes and services, used over the life cycle of the building.
The interpretation and value judgments of the results of the assessment are not within the scope of this European Standard.

Nachhaltigkeit von Bauwerken - Bewertung der umweltbezogenen Qualität von Gebäuden - Berechnungsmethode

Diese Europäische Norm stellt eine auf der Ökobilanz (en: Life Cycle Assessment, LCA) und anderen
quantifizierten Umweltdaten basierende Berechnungsmethode zur Bewertung der umweltbezogenen Qualität
eines Gebäudes sowie Hilfsmittel für das Berichtswesen und die Kommunikation des Ergebnisses dieser
Bewertung zur Verfügung. Sie gilt für neue und bereits bestehende Gebäude sowie für Modernisierungen.
Diese Norm enthält:
 die Beschreibung des Zwecks der Bewertung;
 die auf der Gebäudeebene geltende Systemgrenze;
 das bei der Bestandsanalyse anzuwendende Verfahren;
 eine Liste von Indikatoren und Verfahren zur Berechnung dieser Indikatoren;
 die Anforderungen an die Darstellung der Ergebnisse im Berichtswesen und bei der Kommunikation; und
 die Anforderungen an die für die Berechnung benötigten Daten.
Dieser Bewertungsansatz deckt alle Phasen des Gebäudelebenszyklus ab und basiert auf den aus den
entsprechenden Umweltproduktdeklarationen (EPD) entnommenen Daten, ihren „Informationsmodulen“
(EN 15804) und sonstigen Informationen, die für die Ausführung der Bewertung erforderlich und maßgeblich
sind. Die Bewertung schließt sämtliche im Verlauf des gesamten Lebenszyklus des betreffenden Gebäudes
verwendeten gebäudebezogenen Bauprodukte, -prozesse und -dienstleistungen mit ein.
Die Auslegung und Beurteilung der Ergebnisse der Bewertung sind nicht Gegenstand dieser Europäischen
Norm.

Contribution des ouvrages de construction au développement durable - Evaluation de la performance environnementale des bâtiments - Méthode de calcul

La présente norme fournit la méthode de calcul reposant sur l’analyse du cycle de vie (ACV) et d'autres
informations environnementales quantifiées, qui permet d’évaluer la performance environnementale d’un
bâtiment, et indique comment communiquer le résultat de cette évaluation. La norme s'applique aux
bâtiments neufs et aux bâtiments existants, ainsi qu'aux projets de réhabilitation.
La présente norme fournit :
⎯ la description de l’objet de l’évaluation ;
⎯ la frontière du système qui s’applique à l’échelle du bâtiment ;
⎯ la procédure à suivre pour l’analyse de l’inventaire ;
⎯ la liste des indicateurs et des procédures de calcul de ces indicateurs ;
⎯ les exigences relatives à la présentation des résultats dans le cadre de la communication ;
⎯ et les exigences relatives aux données nécessaires pour réaliser le calcul.
La méthode d’évaluation couvre toutes les phases du cycle de vie d’un bâtiment et repose sur les données
obtenues à partir des Déclarations environnementales de produits (DEP), de leurs « modules
d’informations », (prEN 15804) et, le cas échéant, d’autres informations nécessaires en rapport avec
l'évaluation de la performance environnementale du bâtiment. L'évaluation comprend tous les produits de
construction, les processus et les services en rapport avec le bâtiment, sur l’ensemble de son cycle de vie.
NOTE 1 La norme « Utilisation des informations environnementales des déclarations environnementales de produit
(DEP) » servira de guide pour l'application et l'interprétation des DEP, la conduite à tenir en cas d'absence de DEP et
l'application des scénarios. L’interprétation des résultats de l’évaluation et le jugement de valeur de ces résultats n’entrent
pas dans le domaine d’application de la présente norme.
NOTE 2 Les règles de calcul décrites dans la présente norme peuvent être utilisées pour la quantification de tout
indicateur figurant dans la norme de manière collective ou individuelle.

Trajnostnost gradbenih objektov - Vrednotenje učinkov ravnanja z okoljem v stavbah - Računska metoda

Ta evropski standard je namenjen vrednotenju in ocenjevanju različnih možnosti načrtovanja in specifikacij za nove in obstoječe stavbe in projekte obnove.
Standard podaja računsko metodo, ki temelji na oceni življenjskega cikla, za vrednotenje učinkov ravnanja z okoljem v stavbah in podaja sredstva za komunikacijo izida vrednotenja.
Standard podaja:
- opis objekta vrednotenja,
- mejo sistema, ki velja na nivoju stavbe,
- postopek, ki naj se uporablja za analizo inventarja,
- kazalnike in postopke, ki naj se uporabljajo za vrednotenje učinkov,
- zahteve za predstavitev rezultatov
- in zahteve za podatke, ki so potrebni za izračun.
Pristop k vrednotenju zajema vse stopnje življenjskega cikla stavbe in temelji na podatkih, pridobljenih iz okoljskih deklaracij proizvodov (EPD), njihovih »informacijskih modulov«, (prEN 15804) in, kadar je primerno, drugih podatkov, ki se nanašajo na okoljsko učinkovitost stavbe kot celote. Zajema vse gradbene proizvode, postopke in storitve, ki se nanašajo na stavbo, v celotnem življenjskem ciklu stavbe.
Razlaga in vrednotenje rezultatov ocene ne spadata v področje tega standarda.
Opomba: Kazalniki, npr. podnebne spremembe, se lahko razglasijo s sklicevanjem na ta standard, ne da bi podali celoten spisek kazalnikov, pod pogojem, da so vsi kazalniki izračunani v skladu z metodologijo, razvito v tem standardu.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 08-Nov-2011
• Withdrawal Date: 30-May-2012
• ICS: 91.040.99 - Other buildings
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 350 - Sustainability of construction works
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 350/WG 1 - Environmental performance of buildings
• Current Stage: 9092 - Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ - revise - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 16-Apr-2018
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Mandate: M/350 - Development of Horizontal Standardised Methods for the assessment of the integrated Environmental performance of buildings
• Ref Project: SIST EN 15978:2011 - Sustainability of construction works - Assessment of environmental performance of buildings - Calculation method

Relations

• Revised: EN 15978:2026 - Sustainability of construction works - Assessment of environmental performance of buildings - Requirements and guidance
• Effective Date: 02-Aug-2023
• Revised: prEN 15978-1 - Sustainability of construction works - Methodology for the assessment of performance of buildings - Part 1: Environmental Performance
• Effective Date: 18-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 15978:2011 - Sustainability of construction works - Assessment of environmental performance of buildings - Calculation method - defines a harmonized, LCA‑based calculation method to quantify the environmental performance of buildings. Applicable to new buildings, existing buildings and refurbishment projects, the standard sets the system boundary at the building level, specifies required data sources (notably Environmental Product Declarations - EPDs), and prescribes how results are reported and communicated. Interpretation or value judgments of results are explicitly outside its scope.

Key Topics

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach covering all building life‑cycle stages (product, construction, use, end‑of‑life and benefits beyond system boundary).
• Module structure referenced in the standard:
  • Product stage: A1–A3
  • Construction processes: A4–A5
  • Use stage: B1–B7 (including operational energy B6 and water B7)
  • End of life: C1–C4
  • Benefits and loads beyond the system boundary: Module D
• Object of assessment: requirements for describing the building, defining a functional equivalent and reference study period.
• System boundaries and scenarios: rules for setting up scenarios for product supply, construction, use, maintenance, replacements, refurbishment, deconstruction, disposal and exported energy.
• Inventory analysis: procedures for quantification, data quality, inclusion/exclusion criteria and adaptation of product EPD data (EN 15804 information modules).
• Indicators and calculation methods: list of environmental impact and resource‑use indicators and methods to calculate them.
• Reporting and communication: required content, boundaries, data sources, indicator lists and presentation of results.
• Verification: requirements to support third‑party checks and consistent communication.

Applications

Who uses EN 15978:2011 and why:

• LCA practitioners & sustainability consultants - produce building‑level environmental assessments and LCA reports.
• Architects & engineers - evaluate design options for lower life‑cycle impacts (materials, operation, refurbishment).
• Building owners & developers - document environmental performance for procurement, certification or corporate reporting.
• EPD developers and product manufacturers - align product data (EN 15804) to building LCA needs.
• Policy makers & certifiers - establish consistent, comparable assessment methods for regulations and green building schemes. Practical uses include comparing design alternatives, quantifying embodied carbon and resource use, supporting refurbishment planning, and demonstrating compliance with sustainability frameworks.

Related Standards

• EN 15804 - Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) - core data input for EN 15978 calculations.
• EN 15643‑1 / EN 15643‑2 - Framework and principles for sustainability assessment of buildings (environmental aspects).
• Other CEN/TC 350 deliverables that support building sustainability assessment and reporting.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Nachhaltigkeit von Bauwerken - Bestimmung der umweltbezogenen Qualität von Gebäuden - BerechnungsmethodeContribution des ouvrages de construction au développement durable - Evaluation de la performance environnementale des bâtiments - Méthode de calculSustainability of construction works - Assessment of environmental performance of buildings - Calculation method91.040.01Stavbe na splošnoBuildings in general13.020.20Okoljevarstvena ekonomikaEnvironmental economicsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 15978:2011SIST EN 15978:2011en,fr,de01-december-2011SIST EN 15978:2011SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 15978
November 2011 ICS 91.040.99 English Version
Sustainability of construction works - Assessment of environmental performance of buildings - Calculation method
Contribution des ouvrages de construction au développement durable - Evaluation de la performance environnementale des bâtiments - Méthode de calcul
Nachhaltigkeit von Bauwerken - Bewertung der umweltbezogenen Qualität von Gebäuden - Berechnungsmethode This European Standard was approved by CEN on 13 August 2011.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 15978:2011: ESIST EN 15978:2011

Building description . 53Annex B (informative)
Exported energy - Case studies . 55B.1 General . 55B.2 Case 1 . 55B.3 Case 2 . 56B.4 Case 3 . 57B.5 Case 4 . 58Bibliography . 60 SIST EN 15978:2011

This European Standard is part of a suite of European Standards, Technical Specifications and Technical Reports for the assessment of the environmental performance of buildings that together support quantification of the contribution of the assessed building to sustainable construction and sustainable development. The environmental performance of a building is only one aspect of its sustainability. The social and economic performance of the building are also aspects of sustainability that should be assessed as part of a sustainability assessment. These are described in the framework standards (EN 15643-1, -2, and
EN 15643-3, -4). NOTE The environmental assessment at building level requires information from products and services
(EN 15804). The evaluation of technical and functional performance is beyond the scope of this European Standard. Technical and functional characteristics are taken into account here by reference to the functional equivalent, which also forms a basis for comparison of the results of assessments. This European Standard is intended to support the decision-making process and documentation of the assessment of the environmental performance of a building. Although the assessment results are based on realistic scenarios, they may not fully reflect the actual and future performance of the building. Figure 1 illustrates how the assessment of the environmental performance takes place within the concept of the sustainability assessment of buildings.
Figure 1 — Concept of sustainability assessment of buildings SIST EN 15978:2011

Figure 2 — Work program of CEN/TC 350 NOTE The grey boxes represent the work programme as presented in EN 15643-1. SIST EN 15978:2011

ESL - Estimated Service Life
GWP – Global Warming Potential SIST EN 15978:2011

RSP - Reference Study Period 5 The process for setting up the calculations required for the assessment In order to carry out and complete the calculations necessary for the assessment of environmental performance of buildings, the steps illustrated in Figure 3 shall be followed. This will help ensure that the essential information is gathered and processed according to the requirements of this European Standard. The clauses numbered in the right column that follow the diagram explain in more detail each step specified in the central column of the table below. SIST EN 15978:2011

Figure 3 — Flowchart of the process for the assessment of the environmental performance SIST EN 15978:2011

7.1 General The object of assessment is the building, including its foundations and external works within the curtilage of the building’s site, over its life cycle. The curtilage used to characterise the site shall be consistent with the definition and intended use of the building. NOTE 1 The site is identified as the physical space of land occupied by and attached to the building. If the assessment is restricted to a part of a building or to an assembled system (part of works), or to a part of the life cycle, or if any relevant impacts or aspects are not addressed, this shall be documented, reported and reasons given. SIST EN 15978:2011

Figure 4 — Reference study period versus required service life of the assessed object Figure 4 illustrates the three cases: RSP 1: if the reference study period and required service life are the same, RSP/ReqSL = 1, the default value. RSP 2: if the reference study period is shorter than the required service life, the quantified values of impacts and aspects for the use stage (modules B1 - B7) and benefits and loads presented in module DB (see 7.4 and 8.8) that come from modules B1-B7, are adjusted by a factor RSP/ReqSL (see Figure 5). RSP 3: if the reference study period is longer than the required service life, scenarios for refurbishment, or demolition and construction of an equivalent new building shall be developed. These scenarios shall provide for an extension of the service life which, when combined with the required service life of the object of assessment, is equal to or more than the reference study period. The full value of impacts and aspects for both the actual required service life and the extension to the service life shall be taken into account following the rules given above. In all cases, the quantified values obtained for the product stage (modules A1, A2, A3, see Figure 6), the construction/process stage (modules A4, A5), and the end of life stage (modules C1 - C4) are independent of the value of the reference study period. The values for impacts and aspects for modules in the use stage (modules B1 - B7) are multiplied by the ratio of the reference study period to the required service life (RSP/ReqSL) as presented in figure 5. The loads and benefits reported in module D derived from the modules A (DA), B (DB) and C (DC) are also scaled in the same way. SIST EN 15978:2011

Figure 5 — Illustration of how the quantified impacts and aspects are adjusted for a reference study period that is less than the required service life (Case RSP 2) 7.4 System boundary 7.4.1 General The system boundary determines the processes that are taken into account for the object of assessment. For a new building, the system boundary shall include the building life cycle as shown in Figure 6. For an existing building (or part thereof), the system boundary shall include all stages representing the remaining service life, and the end of life stage of the building.
In this context, the object of assessment is the building and its site. This includes all the upstream and downstream processes needed to establish and maintain the function(s) of the building, from the acquisition of SIST EN 15978:2011

The consideration of aspects and impacts of the manufacturing of capital goods (e.g. trucks, cranes, ) shall be in accordance with Clause 9.4.3. 7.4.3.2 Boundary of the Transport to and from site (Module A4) The boundary for module A4 shall include:  transport of materials and products from the factory gate to the building site, including any transport, intermediate storage and dist
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