ISO/TC 59/SC 17 - Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works

This document provides the principles and requirements to enable environmental and technical data provided in EPDs for construction products and services, construction elements and integrated technical systems to be used in BIM to assist in the assessment of the environmental performance of a construction works over its life cycle. This document gives requirements on structuring EPD information using a data template according to ISO 23386 and ISO 23387, to make EPD data machine-interpretable and to enable their integration into information-driven design, construction, use and end-of-life stages. This document is applicable to structuring generic LCA data for use within a BIM environment, as these data are required in the absence of suitable EPD data to enable assessment of the environmental performance at the construction works level. The assessment of environmental performance at the construction works level is not covered by this document.

This document defines principles, requirements and guidelines for the development and use of benchmarks when assessing the economic, social and/or environmental performance of buildings and civil engineering works by using sustainability indicators. It complements and supports the application of ISO 21929-1 and ISO/TS 21929-2 by creating principles and requirements for the establishment of benchmarks that support target setting, decision making and communication to third parties. This document is also related to ISO 21931-1 and ISO 21931-2 by creating principles, requirements and guidelines for the establishment and use of benchmarks related to environmental performance and other aspects of sustainability. This document describes three types of values for benchmarks (performance levels for comparison purposes): — limit values; — reference values; — target values. This document does not set benchmarks.

This document provides an overview of design for disassembly and adaptability (DfD/A) principles and potential strategies for integrating these principles into the design process. This document provides information for owners, architects, engineers, and product designers and manufacturers to assist in their understanding of potential DfD/A options and considerations, and for other parties who are responsible for financing, regulating, constructing, transforming, deconstructing, or demolishing construction works. This document is applicable to all types of buildings (e.g. commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential), civil engineering works (e.g., dams, bridges, roads, railways, runways, utilities, pipelines) and their constituent parts. It can be used for new construction, refurbishment and renovation, and in the design of incremental improvements in, or complete redesign of, buildings, building systems, civil engineering works, and their constituent parts. This document also provides guidance on measuring performance regarding each DfD/A principle and related objectives. This document is intended to be used in conjunction with and following the principles set out in ISO 15392 and the ISO 15686 series. This document does not set specific levels of performance for the disassembly or adaptability of constructed works, however, it does include requirements that are mandatory for the implementation of specific DfD/A principles that are applicable when these principles are adopted.

This document identifies and establishes general principles for the contribution of buildings, civil engineering works and other types of construction works (hereinafter referred to collectively as construction works) to sustainable development. It is based on the concept of sustainable development as it applies to the life cycle of construction works, from inception to the end-of-life. This document is applicable to new and existing construction works, individually and collectively, as well as to the materials, products, services and processes related to their life cycle. This document does not provide performance levels (benchmarks) that can serve as the basis for sustainability claims. NOTE 1 The principles established in this document are intended to be applied broadly in the context of construction works. Specific applications are the subject of other related documents. NOTE 2 Construction works are designed to meet numerous requirements, such as those expressed and established by authorities having jurisdiction. In some circumstances, it can be necessary to go beyond established requirements to contribute further to sustainable development. NOTE 3 In this document, unless explicitly stated, the term 'product(s)' implies construction product (3.7) and the term 'service(s)' implies construction service (3.8). This document is not intended to provide the basis for assessment of organizations or other stakeholders, but does acknowledge the importance of their role in the context of contributions to sustainable development by buildings, civil engineering works and other construction works. NOTE 4 More detailed discussions on social responsibility aspects, relative to organizations, can be found in ISO 26000.

This document provides a general framework for improving the quality and comparability of methods for assessing the contribution of civil engineering works and their related external works to sustainable development based on a life cycle approach. This document aims to bridge the gap between regional and national methods for the assessment of the sustainability performance of civil engineering works by providing a common framework for their expression. This document identifies and describes issues to be taken into account in the development and use of methods for the assessment of the sustainability performance for all types of civil engineering works, both new and existing, and it is relevant for the assessment of the environmental, social and economic performance of both new and existing civil engineering works over their entire life cycle. The object of assessment in this document is the civil engineering works itself and its area of influence. NOTE 1 For example, the assessment includes any local civil engineering works beyond the immediate area of the civil engineering works; the transportation of the users of the civil engineering works; and the use and exploitation of the civil engineering works itself. Assessments can be undertaken either for the whole civil engineering works, for a part of the civil engineering works, or for a combination of several civil engineering works. This document excludes environmental, social and economic risk assessment, but the results of a risk assessment can be taken into consideration. This document is intended to be used in conjunction with, and following the principles set out in, ISO 15392 and the ISO 14000 family of International Standards. The evaluation of technical and functional performance of the civil engineering works is outside the scope of this document, but the technical and functional characteristics are considered within this framework by reference to the functional equivalent. The functional equivalent takes into account the technical and functional requirements and forms the basis for comparisons of the results of the assessment. Assessment methods that consider only one or two of the three dimensions of sustainability are outside the scope of this document. This document does not set benchmarks or levels of performance relative to environmental, social and economic aspects and impacts. NOTE 2 Valuation methods, levels, classes or benchmarks can be prescribed in the requirements for environmental, social and economic performance in the client's brief, construction regulations, national standards, national codes of practice, civil engineering works assessment and certification schemes, etc. The rules for methods of assessment to consider in the assessment of environmental, social and economic aspects of operation practices are included within this framework, and the consequences of decisions or actions that influence the environmental, social and economic performance of the object of assessment are identified so that they can be taken into account.

ISO 6707-2:2017 defines terms applicable to contracts and communication in relation to buildings and civil engineering works.

ISO 6707-3:2017 establishes preferred terms and definitions for concepts applicable to sustainability and sustainable development related to buildings and civil engineering works. NOTE It focuses on concepts that have been standardized and/or applied through publication of individual International Standards within ISO/TC 59/SC 17 and on terms and definitions of concepts frequently encountered in the literature of buildings and other types of construction works that relate to sustainable development.

ISO 21930:2017 provides the principles, specifications and requirements to develop an environmental product declaration (EPD) for construction products and services, construction elements and integrated technical systems used in any type of construction works. ISO 21930:2017 complements ISO 14025 by providing specific requirements for the EPD of construction products and services. ISO 21930:2017 establishes a core set of requirements to be considered as core product category rules (PCR) to develop an EPD for any construction product or service. In addition, this document, as the core PCR document for construction products, construction elements and integrated technical systems: a) includes the rules for calculating the life cycle inventory analysis (LCI), the predetermined environmental indicators and the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) results that are reported in the EPD; b) describes which life cycle stages are considered in a particular type of EPD, which processes are to be included in the life cycle stages and how the stages are subdivided into information modules; c) defines rules for the development of scenarios; d) includes the rules for reporting relevant environmental and technical information that are not covered by LCA; e) defines the core elements to be included in an EPD; f) establishes the structure of a project report; g) defines the conditions under which construction products can be compared, based on the information provided by an EPD; h) provides requirements and guidelines on PCR for sub-categories of construction products; i) includes mandatory and unalterable requirements for any PCR based on this document. EPDs for construction products, as described in this document, are primarily intended for use in B2B communication, but their use in B2C communication under certain conditions is not precluded. For EPDs intended for B2C communication, refer to ISO 14025 (see 5.4). The assessment of social and economic impacts at the product level is not covered by this document. NOTE 1 In this document, unless otherwise designated, the term construction product is used for any good(s) or service(s) related to construction works. NOTE 2 Construction assemblies, construction elements and integrated technical systems, incorporated within construction works, can be considered construction products.

ISO 16745-1:2017 provides requirements for determining and reporting a carbon metric of an existing building, associated with the operation of the building. It sets out methods for the calculation, reporting and communication of a set of carbon metrics for GHG emissions arising from the measured energy use during the operation of an existing building, the measured user-related energy use, and other relevant GHG emissions and removals. These carbon metrics are separated into three measures designated CM1, CM2, and CM3 (see 5.1.1). ISO 16745-1:2017 follows the principles set out in ISO 15392 and those described in Clause 4. Where deviations from the principles in ISO 15392 occur, or where more specific principles are stated, this document takes precedence. The carbon metrics CM1 and CM2 are not quantified based on life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Carbon metric CM3 may include partial quantification based on the results of LCA. ISO 16745-1:2017 does not include any method of modelling of the operational energy use of the building but follows the conventions provided by other International Standards, as given in relevant clauses. ISO 16745-1:2017 is not an assessment method for evaluating the overall environmental performance of a building or a building-rating tool and does not include value-based interpretation of the carbon metric(s) through weightings or benchmarking. ISO 16745-1:2017 deals with the application of the carbon metric(s) for an existing building, either residential or commercial, or a building complex. It does not include provisions for regional and/or national building stock.

ISO 16745-2:2017 specifies requirements for the verification of a carbon metric calculation for GHG emissions of an existing building during the use stage, where the carbon metric calculation is performed in accordance with ISO 16745‐1. NOTE Before verification, the carbon metric according to ISO 16745‑1 is a claim. Only after the verification according to this document can the carbon metric be communicated as a carbon metric declaration.

ISO/TS 21929-2:2015 establishes a list of aspects and impacts which should be taken as the basis for the development of sustainability indicators for assessing the sustainability performance of new or existing civil engineering works, related to their design, construction, operation, maintenance, refurbishment and end-of-life. Together, the indicators developed from this list of aspects and impacts provide measures to express the contribution of a civil engineering works to sustainability and sustainable development. The developed indicators should represent aspects of civil engineering works that impact on issues of concern related to sustainability and sustainable development. The object of consideration in ISO/TS 21929-2:2015 is a civil engineering works, a part of the civil engineering works or a combination of several civil engineering works.

ISO/TS 12720:2014 provides guidance for the application of the general principles of sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works elaborated in ISO 15392. It shows the different actors involved with the construction works how to take these principles into account in their decision-making processes in order to increase the contribution of the construction works to sustainability and sustainable development. ISO/TS 12720:2014 provides a step-by-step approach for: encouraging the application of the general principles by all stakeholders at each stage of the project and its use, from the decision to build and the initial development of the project brief until the end-of-life of the construction works; helping interested parties to consider and/or incorporate sustainability thinking in all phases of the building's or civil engineering works' life cycle, for all relevant issues of concern, by raising key questions in relation to the general principles; understanding the outcome (effect) of the application of the general principles; and building on acquired experience to develop best practices and engendering a continuous improvement process.

ISO/TR 21932:2013 provides a compilation of terms and definitions of concepts related to both the construction and use of a building or civil engineering works, and the effect of such construction works on sustainability and sustainable development, as applied in the documents of ISO/TC 59/SC 17, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works.

ISO 21929-1:2011 establishes a core set of indicators to take into account in the use and development of sustainability indicators for assessing the sustainability performance of new or existing buildings, related to their design, construction, operation, maintenance, refurbishment and end of life. Together, the core set of indicators provides measures to express the contribution of a building(s) to sustainability and sustainable development. These indicators represent aspects of buildings that impact on areas of protection related to sustainability and sustainable development. The object of consideration in ISO 21929-1:2011 is a building or a group of buildings and the external works within the site (curtilage). ISO 21929-1:2011 follows the principles set out in ISO 15392 and, where appropriate, is intended for use in conjunction with, and following the principles set out in, ISO 26000, ISO 14040 and the family of International Standards that includes ISO 14020, ISO 14021, ISO 14024 and ISO 14025. Where deviation occurs or where more specific requirements are stated, ISO 21929-1:2011 takes precedence. ISO 21929-1:2011 adapts general sustainability principles for buildings; includes a framework for developing sustainability indicators for use in the assessment of economic, environmental and social impacts of buildings; determines the aspects for consideration when defining a core set of sustainability indicators for buildings; establishes a core set of indicators; describes how to use sustainability indicators; and gives rules for establishing a system of indicators. ISO 21929-1:2011 does not give guidelines for the weighting of indicators or the aggregation of assessment results.

ISO 21931-1:2010 provides a general framework for improving the quality and comparability of methods for assessing the environmental performance of buildings and their related external works. It identifies and describes issues to be taken into account in the use and development of methods of assessment of the environmental performance for new or existing buildings in their design, construction, operation, maintenance and refurbishment, and in the deconstruction stages. The object of assessment in ISO 21931-1:2010 is the building and the external works within its site (curtilage).

ISO 6707-1:2017 contains the terms and definitions of general concepts to establish a vocabulary applicable to buildings and civil engineering works. It comprises: a) fundamental concepts, which can be the starting point for other, more specific, definitions; b) more specific concepts, used in several areas of construction and frequently used in standards, regulations and contracts.

ISO 16745:2015 provides requirements for determining and reporting a carbon metric of an existing building, associated with the operation of the building. It sets out methods for the calculation, reporting, communication, and verification of a set of carbon metrics for GHG emissions arising from the measured energy use during the operation of an existing building, the measured user-related energy use, and other relevant GHG emissions and removals. These carbon metrics are separated into three measures designated CM1, CM2, and CM3. ISO 16745:2015 follows the principles set out in ISO 15392 and those described in Clause 4 of the Standard. Where deviations from the principles in ISO 15392 occur, or where more specific principles are stated, ISO 16745:2015 takes precedence. The carbon metrics CM1 and CM2 are not quantified based on life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Carbon metric CM3 may include partial quantification based on the results of LCA. ISO 16745:2015 does not include any method of modelling of the operational energy use of the building but follows the conventions provided by other International Standards, as given in relevant clauses. ISO 16745:2015 is not an assessment method for evaluating the overall environmental performance of a building or a building-rating tool and does not include value-based interpretation of the carbon metric(s) through weightings or benchmarking. ISO 16745:2015 deals with the application of the carbon metric(s) for an existing building, either residential or commercial, or a building complex. It does not include provisions for regional and/or national building stock.

 ISO 15392:2008 identifies and establishes general principles for sustainability in building construction. It is based on the concept of sustainable development as it applies to the life cycle of buildings and other construction works, from their inception to the end of life. ISO 15392:2008 is applicable to buildings and other construction works individually and collectively, as well as to the materials, products, services and processes related to the life cycle of buildings and other construction works. ISO 15392:2008 does not provide levels (benchmarks) that can serve as the basis for sustainability claims. It is not intended to provide the basis for assessment of organizations or other stakeholders.

ISO 21930:2007 provides the principles and requirements for type III environmental declarations (EPD) of building products. ISO 21930:2007 contains specifications and requirements for the EPD of building products. Where this International Standard contains more specific requirements, it complements ISO 14025 for the EPD of building products. ISO 21930:2007 provides a framework for and the basic requirements for product category rules as defined in ISO 14025 for type III environmental declarations of building products. Type III environmental declarations for building products, as described in ISO 21930:2007, are primarily intended for use in business-to-business communication, but their use in business-to-consumer communication under certain conditions is not precluded. ISO 21930:2007 does not define requirements for developing type III environmental declaration programmes. Requirements for type III environmental declaration programmes are found in ISO 14025. The working environment is not included in ISO 21930:2007 because it is normally a subject for national legislation.

ISO/TS 21929-1:2006 provides a framework, makes recommendations, and gives guidelines for the development and selection of appropriate sustainability indicators for buildings. The aim of this part of ISO/TS 21929-1:2006 is to define the process that shall be followed when addressing the economic, environmental and social impacts of a building using a common framework and a set of indicators. This part of ISO/TS 21929-1:2006: adapts general sustainability principles for buildings; includes a framework for the assessment of economic, environmental and social impacts of buildings; shows indicators as examples; shows how to use sustainability indicators with regard to buildings and shows the process of using sustainability indicators; supports the process of choosing indicators; supports the development of assessment tools; defines the conformity with this specification.

ISO/TS 21931:2006 provides a general framework for improving the quality and comparability of methods for assessing the environmental performance of buildings. It identifies and describes issues to be taken into account when using methods for the assessment of environmental performance for new or existing building properties in the design, construction, operation, refurbishment and deconstruction stages. It is intended be used in conjunction with, and following the principles set out in, the ISO 14000 series of International Standards.