oSIST prEN 17672:2021

Sustainability of construction works - Environmental product declarations - Horizontal rules for business-to-consumer communication

This document provides horizontal rules for business-to-consumer communication including benchmarking systems that aim to inform consumers about the environmental performance of construction products, assembled systems and construction elements.
This document is aimed at organizations providing business-to-consumer communication and benchmarking systems and provides guidance on how to develop business-to-consumer communication and common rules for benchmarking methodologies using EPD according to EN 15804 and following the EN 15942 communication format.
Business-to-consumer communication and benchmarking methodology described in this document is based on a functional unit and cradle-to-grave assessments.

Nachhaltigkeit von Bauwerken - Umweltproduktdeklarationen - Horizontale Regeln für die Kommunikation von Unternehmen an Verbrauchern

Dieses Dokument enthält horizontale Regeln für die Kommunikation zwischen Unternehmen und Verbrauchern (B2C-Kommunikation), einschließlich Benchmarking-Systeme, die darauf abzielen, Verbraucher über die umweltbezogene Qualität bzw. Umweltleistung von Bauprodukten, Bauwerksteilen und Bauelementen zu informieren.
Dieses Dokument richtet sich an Organisationen, die B2C-Kommunikation und Benchmarking-Systeme anbieten, und stellt einen Leitfaden für die Entwicklung der B2C-Kommunikation und gemeinsame Regeln für Benchmarking-Methodiken mit Hilfe von EPD nach EN 15804 und unter Nutzung des in EN 15942 festgelegten Kommunikationsformats zur Verfügung.
Die in diesem Dokument beschriebene B2C-Kommunikations- und Benchmarking-Methodik basiert auf einer funktionalen Einheit und Cradle-to-Grave-Bewertungen.

Contribution des ouvrages de construction au développement durable - Déclarations environnementales sur les produits - Règles horizontales régissant la communication de l'entreprise au consommateur

Le présent document énonce les règles horizontales régissant la communication de l'entreprise au consommateur, notamment les systèmes d'analyse comparative des performances visant à informer les consommateurs de la performance environnementale des produits de construction, systèmes assemblés et éléments de construction.
Le présent document s'adresse aux organisations qui proposent des systèmes de communication de l'entreprise au consommateur et d'analyse comparative des performances, et propose des recommandations sur la façon d'élaborer les règles régissant la communication de l'entreprise au consommateur et les règles communes des méthodologies d'analyse comparative des performances utilisant la DEP, conformément à l'EN 15804 et suivant le format de communication de l'EN 15942.
La méthodologie de communication de l'entreprise au consommateur et d'analyse comparative des performances décrite dans le présent document repose sur une unité fonctionnelle et des évaluations « du berceau à la tombe ».

Trajnostnost gradbenih objektov - Okoljske deklaracije za proizvode - Horizontalna pravila za komunikacijo med podjetji in potrošniki

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 05-Sep-2021
• ICS: 13.020.20 - Environmental economics. Sustainability
• ICS: 91.010.99 - Other aspects
• ICS: 91.040.01 - Buildings in general
• Technical Committee: TGO - Sustainability of construction works
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 16-Jun-2021
• Due Date: 03-Nov-2021
• Mandate: M/350 AMDT - Amendment to mandate M/350 to CEN for the development or horizontal standardised methods for the assessment of the integrated environmental performance of building
• Ref Project: prEN 17672 - Sustainability of construction works - Environmental product declarations - Horizontal rules for business-to-consumer communication

Standards Content (sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 17672:2021
01-september-2021

Trajnostnost gradbenih objektov - Okoljske deklaracije za proizvode - Horizontalna

pravila za komunikacijo med podjetji in potrošniki

Sustainability of construction works - Environmental product declarations - Horizontal

rules for business-to-consumer communication

Nachhaltigkeit von Bauwerken - Umweltproduktdeklarationen - Horizontale Regeln für

die Kommunikation von Unternehmen an Verbrauchern

Contribution des ouvrages de construction au développement durable - Déclarations

environnementales sur les produits - Règles horizontales régissant la communication de

l'entreprise au consommateur
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 17672
ICS:
13.020.20 Okoljska ekonomija. Environmental economics.
Trajnostnost Sustainability
91.040.01 Stavbe na splošno Buildings in general
oSIST prEN 17672:2021 en,fr,de

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST prEN 17672:2021
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oSIST prEN 17672:2021
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 17672
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
June 2021
ICS 91.010.99; 91.040.01
English Version
Sustainability of construction works - Environmental
product declarations - Horizontal rules for business-to-
consumer communication
Nachhaltigkeit von Bauwerken -
Umweltproduktdeklarationen - Horizontale Regeln für
die Kommunikation von Unternehmen an
Verbrauchern

This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee

CEN/TC 350.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN 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, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and

United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are

aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without

notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2021 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 17672:2021 E

worldwide for CEN national Members.
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Contents Page

European foreword ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 5

1 Scope .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

2 Normative references .......................................................................................................................... 6

3 Terms and definitions ......................................................................................................................... 6

4 Symbols and abbreviations ............................................................................................................... 9

5 General principles ................................................................................................................................ 9

5.1 Approach .................................................................................................................................................. 9

5.2 Information gaps ................................................................................................................................... 9

5.2.1 Missing indicators ................................................................................................................................. 9

5.2.2 Information not applicable to the building context ................................................................. 9

5.3 Comparability ....................................................................................................................................... 10

5.4 Types of B2C communication and requirements .................................................................... 10

5.5 Benchmarking options ...................................................................................................................... 11

6 Definition of the product group ..................................................................................................... 12

6.1 Product group definition and declaration ................................................................................. 12

6.2 Name and code ..................................................................................................................................... 12

6.3 Description of the product group .................................................................................................. 12

6.4 Functional unit ..................................................................................................................................... 12

6.5 Technical performance ..................................................................................................................... 13

6.6 Exclusions .............................................................................................................................................. 13

7 Definition of the functional equivalence .................................................................................... 13

8 Life cycle stages to be included ...................................................................................................... 14

9 Assessment of the representativeness of the scenarios ....................................................... 14

10 Calculation of the environmental impact per functional unit ............................................ 14

11 Selection of indicators ....................................................................................................................... 15

12 Normalization ...................................................................................................................................... 16

12.1 General.................................................................................................................................................... 16

12.2 Benchmarking systems ..................................................................................................................... 16

12.3 B2C communication without comparative assertion ............................................................ 16

13 Weighting ............................................................................................................................................... 16

13.1 General.................................................................................................................................................... 16

13.2 Recommended approach to benchmarking .............................................................................. 16

13.3 Basic and alternative approach to benchmarking .................................................................. 16

13.4 B2C communication without comparative assertion ............................................................ 17

14 Score ........................................................................................................................................................ 17

15 Benchmark ............................................................................................................................................ 17

16 Performance classes .......................................................................................................................... 19

16.1 General.................................................................................................................................................... 19

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16.2 Relative difference compared to the benchmark ................................................................... 20

16.3 Statistical information ...................................................................................................................... 20

16.4 Worst and/or best practices ........................................................................................................... 21

17 Communication ................................................................................................................................... 22

18 Transparency ....................................................................................................................................... 24

19 Benchmarking system administrator ......................................................................................... 24

Annex A (informative) Example of definition of product groups (SFB system) ........................ 25

Bibliography ....................................................................................................................................................... 27

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European foreword

This document (prEN 17672:2021) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 350

“Sustainability of construction works”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.

This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.

This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the

European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).

This document supports the use of Product Category Rules (EN 15804) for construction products.

Together they are used as the means for arriving Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).

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Introduction

This document provides horizontal rules for business-to-consumer communication including

benchmarking systems using environmental product declarations (EPD’s) according to EN 15804 to

provide easy to understand information to consumers to make informed comparisons on the

environmental impacts of construction products or elements.

Aggregation of results: ln addition to the detailed communication rules in EN 15804 and EN 15942 allow

the option of aggregating results from modules A1-C4 into a total sum of impacts or respective LCA

indicators for communication of cradle to grave EPD for Business to Consumer purposes.

Benchmarks: Develop the rules for benchmarking and rules for the definition of representative products

based on default scenarios to be used in defining the respective Functional Unit and taking into account

findings from the PEF pilot phase. Provide guidance to allow product TCs to develop their own

representative product(s) and classes for indicator results for B2C communication, where relevant.

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1 Scope

This document provides horizontal rules for business-to-consumer communication including

benchmarking systems that aim to inform consumers about the environmental performance of

construction products, assembled systems and construction elements.

This document is aimed at organizations providing business-to-consumer communication and

benchmarking systems and provides guidance on how to develop business-to-consumer communication

and common rules for benchmarking methodologies using EPD according to EN 15804 and following the

EN 15942 communication format.

Business-to-consumer communication and benchmarking methodology described in this document is

based on a functional unit and cradle-to-grave assessments.
2 Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content

constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For

undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 15804:2012+A2:2019, Sustainability of construction works — Environmental product declarations —

Core rules for the product category of construction products

EN 15942, Sustainability of construction works — Environmental product declarations — Communication

format business-to-business

EN 15978, Sustainability of construction works — Assessment of environmental performance of

buildings — Calculation method

EN ISO 14025, Environmental labels and declarations — Type III environmental declarations — Principles

and procedures (ISO 14025)

EN ISO 14026, Environmental labels and declarations — Principles, requirements and guidelines for

communication of footprint information (ISO 14026)
3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 15804 and EN 15978 and the

following apply.
3.1
assembled system
component or a set of components incorporated in the construction works
[SOURCE: FprEN 15643:2021]
3.2
benchmark
reference point against which comparisons can be made
[SOURCE: ISO 21678:2020]
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3.3
benchmarking

process of collecting, analyzing and relating performance data of comparable construction products,

assembled systems and construction elements

Note 1 to entry: Benchmarking is typically used for evaluating and comparing performance between or within

objects of consideration.
[SOURCE: ISO 21678:2020]
3.4
benchmarking system

established classification system based on clearly defined goals, processes and procedures

3.5
business-to-business communication

describing or involving the passage of information between different businesses, rather than between

businesses and the general public and consumers
[SOURCE: EN 15942:2011]
3.6
business-to-consumer communication

describing or involving the passage of information between businesses and the general public and

consumer
3.7
business-to-consumer communication without comparative assertion

business-to-consumer communication delivering information that cannot be used for comparison

purposes because does not fit the minimum requirements for it
3.8
comparative assertion

environmental claim regarding the superiority or equivalence of one product vs. a competing product

[SOURCE: EN ISO 14025:2006]
3.9
construction element
major functional part of a building or construction works
EXAMPLE: Foundations, floor, roof, wall, services.
3.10
consumer

individual member of the general public purchasing or using goods, property or services for private

purposes
[SOURCE: EN ISO 14025:2006]
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3.11
c-PCR

product group specific or horizontal PCR, which provide additional compliant and non-contradictory

requirements to EN 15804
Note 1 to entry: c-PCR are meant to be used together with EN 15804.
[SOURCE: EN 15804:2012+A2:2019]
3.12
functional equivalent

quantified functional requirements-and/or technical requirements for a building or an assembled system

(part of works) for use as a reference unit
Note 1 to entry: Adapted from the definition in ISO 21931-1:2010.
[SOURCE: EN 15978]
3.13
modules A1 to C4 score
score comprising the aggregation of values for modules A1 to C4
3.14
module D score
score comprising the aggregation of values for module D
3.15
normalization

calculating the magnitude of category indicator results relative to reference information

[SOURCE: EN ISO 14044]
3.16
performance
ability to fulfil required functions under intended use conditions
[SOURCE: ISO 6701]
3.17
product group

every collection of construction products, assembled systems or construction elements created for its

classification
3.18
score

aggregation of the normalised and weighted values of the relevant LCIA indicators

3.19
weighting

converting and possibly aggregating indicator results across impact categories using numerical factors

based on value-choices
[SOURCE: EN ISO 14044:2006, 4.4.3.1, bullet c)]
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4 Symbols and abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used in the document:
B2B Business-to-business
B2C Business-to-consumer
c-PCR Complementary product category rules
EPD Environmental Product Declaration
LCA Life Cycle Assessment
LCIA Life Cycle Impact Assessment
PEF Product Environmental Footprint
5 General principles
5.1 Approach

Construction products assembled systems and construction elements can be compared according to the

contribution they make to the environmental performance of the building as long as they are functionally

equivalent and according to the principles described in Clause 5.3 of EN 15804.

B2C communication and benchmarking methodology shall be derived from the calculation and results

developed for the EPD according to EN 15804 and presented in the B2B communication according to

EN 15942.
5.2 Information gaps
5.2.1 General
The following Information gaps can occur.
5.2.2 Missing indicators

When the benchmarking approach requires the results of indicators not available in the EPD, this product

cannot be included in the benchmarking system.
5.2.3 Information not applicable to the building context

When information available in the scenarios used in the EPD is missing or is not applicable to the building

context under assessment (any modules except for modules A1-A3), calculation of the indicators for the

alternative scenarios is allowed based on scenarios and conditions that are appropriate for the building

as the object of assessment.
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5.3 Comparability

Benchmarking systems shall fulfil all following conditions, in accordance with Clause 5.3 of EN 15804, to

allow the comparison of construction products, assembled systems or construction elements:

— address modules A1 to C4 and module D;
— be consistent with the same functional unit and functional equivalent;

— the environmental performance and technical performance of any assembled systems, components,

or products excluded are the same;
— the amounts of any material excluded are the same;
— excluded processes, modules or life cycle stages are the same;

— the influence of the product systems on the operational aspects and impacts of the building

construction works are taken into account;

— the elementary flows related to material inherent properties, such as biogenic carbon content, the

potential to carbonate or the net calorific value of a material, are considered completely and

consistently, as described in this document.

In case the previous conditions are not fulfilled B2C communication is possible, but it should not include

any comparative assertion.
5.4 Types of B2C communication and requirements

B2C communication can be carried out without comparative assertion (no benchmarking) or according

to a benchmarking system. The requirements for the development of B2C communication differ

depending on the type of system as described in Table 1.
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Table 1 — Requirements for the development of B2C communication
B2C
communication
without
comparative
assertion
(no Benchmarking
Items benchmarking) system Clause
Name and code Required Required 6.2
Description of the product group Required Required 6.3
Definition of
the product Functional unit Optional Required 6.4
group
Technical performance Required Required 6.5
Exclusions Required Required 6.6
Definition of the functional equivalence Optional Required 7
Life cycle stages to be included Required Required 8
Assessment of the representativity of the
Required Required 9
information
Calculation of the environmental impact per
Required Required 10
functional unit
Selection of indicators Required Required 11
Normalization Optional Required 12
Weighting Optional Required 13
Score Optional Required 14
Benchmark N/A Required 15
Performance classes N/A Required 16
Communication Required Required 17
Transparency Required Required 18
5.5 Benchmarking options
Benchmarking systems can follow three different approaches:

— Recommended approach: single score method using all LCIA indicators (core and additional

environmental impact indicators in EN 15804), aggregation of modules A1 to C4 with module D

separated, normalization according to PEF guidance rules and weighting according to PEF guidance

rules;

— Basic approach: single score method using core LCIA indicators only, aggregation of modules A1 to

C4 with module D separated, normalization according to PEF guidance rules and weighting keeping

the relative weight between indicators as provided in PEF guidance;

— Alternative approach: any approach deviating from the recommended and the basic approach but

fulfilling the other rules defined in this document.

NOTE In case the alternative approach includes normalization and weighting, the rules are provided in

Clauses 12.3 and 13.4.
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6 Definition of the product group
6.1 Product group definition and declaration

B2C communication and benchmarking systems require the use of product groups to classify the

construction products, assembled systems or construction elements.

Product groups can be defined using a new or an existing classification system but shall allow the unique

and proper identification of the construction product, assembled system or construction element.

EXAMPLE Classification systems can be based on Product Category Rules.

Product groups shall be clearly defined including, but not limited to, information on the following aspects

according to the classification system:
— Name and code;
— Description of the product group;
— Functional unit;
— Technical performance;
— Exclusions.
6.2 Name and code

The name and code defined by the classification system shall be used including subdivisions. Both the

name and the code shall be unique in order to prevent the use of the same code and number for two

different products.

NOTE 1 EN ISO 12006-2 provides rules to define an object-oriented classification system but other alternatives

are possible (e.g. products in the scope of a c-PCR).

NOTE 2 Examples of used classification system for buildings are SfB, Uniclass, Omniclass, ETIM, CoClass and

UNSPSC. See Annex A for some examples with the SfB classification.
6.3 Description of the product group

Description of the product group shall be consistent with the classification system and shall include the

details about the construction product, assembled system or construction element explained in a

descriptive language. In case the classification is restricted to a type of construction or building, it shall

also be included.

EXAMPLE Components, type of product, finishing, etc. is descriptive information to be delivered.

6.4 Functional unit

Benchmarking systems require the definition of the functional unit for comparison within the product

group according to a measurable way including the unit of comparison and its performance

characteristics. In addition, it shall fulfil the following requirements:
— Consistency with the functional unit defined in the EPD, if any;

— Consistency with the references and constraints (installation, maintenance, repair, replacement and

end-of-life, etc.);

— Use the same Reference Study Period for all the products included in the product group.

Functional unit is not required for B2C communication without comparative assertion.

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6.5 Technical performance

The performance delivered by the construction product, assembled system or construction element shall

be consistent with the information provided in the EPD.

Technical performance include default application, key functionalities and expected influence on the

operational aspects and impacts of the building construction works.

Product standards and other relevant documents may contain relevant information to properly define

the technical performances.
EXAMPLE Reaction to fire of the construction product.

Benchmarking systems require consistency between technical performance and functional unit for the

relevant product group, but a product can provide additional technical performance to those included in

the product group and in the functional unit. Any additional functions provided by an individual

construction product, assembled system or construction element that are not included in the technical

performance in the benchmarking system, shall be available (e.g. website).
6.6 Exclusions

Materials, processes, etc. excluded from the B2C communication without comparative assertion or

benchmarking system for a justified reason shall be reported. They shall be the same for all the products,

assembled systems or construction element in the product group.

EXAMPLE Benchmarking system including a product group for internal walls excluding paint.

7 Definition of the functional equivalence

Benchmarking systems require the development of functional equivalents to allow the comparison. For

B2C communication without comparative assertion the development of functional equivalents is not

required.

The functional equivalent is a representation of the required technical characteristics and functionalities

of the building or assembled system (part of works). It is the means by which the characteristics of the

building are rationalised into a minimum description of the object of assessment and it is the basis for

comparison.

Functional requirement shall be described together with intended use and the relevant specific technical

requirements for the comparison of construction products, assembled systems or construction elements.

The functional equivalent shall include, but is not limited to, information on the following aspects:

— building type;
— relevant technical and functional requirements during the design service life;
— pattern of use;
— required design service life;

— inclusion of necessary maintenance, repair, replacement and refurbishment during service life.

Functional equivalent shall be consistent with the product group defined in Clause 6 including the defined

functional unit and technical performances.
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8 Life cycle stages to be included

EPD data or combination of EPD data and/or additional LCA data for all life cycle stages is required for

benchmarking systems. This information comprises all modules defined in an EPD cradle to grave and

module D according to EN 15804.

In case information related to any module is missing and is not completed using other sources

benchmarking systems cannot be applied and only B2C communication without comparative assertion is

possible.
9 Assessment of the representativeness of the scenarios

Information available in modules A1 to A3 according to EN 15804 is independent from scenarios so its

representativeness is implicit.

Scenarios for the other modules declared in EPD according to EN 15804 should be considered the default

source of information and in case the information related to them is not used it should be properly

justified, see 5.2 for more information about if they can be filled and how.
Some of the reasons to add or replace information from EPD are:
— Missing information in the EPD;
EXAMPLE 1 modules A4 and A5 not declared in the EPD.

— Scenario used for the declaration in the EPD is not compatible with the functional unit applicable to

the product group;

— Scenario used for the declaration in the EPD is not compatible with the technical performances

described for the product group;

— Scenario used for the declaration in the EPD is not applicable to the constraints defined in the

benchmarking system

EXAMPLE 2 Scenario in the EPD for installation is not compatible with the installation defined in the

product group.

EXAMPLE 3 Scenario for transport is not in accordance with the benchmarking system.

EXAMPLE 4 Scenario for end-of-life in the EPD is not
...