This document specifies the calculation method, based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and other quantified environmental information, to assess the environmental performance of a building and its site, during whole life cycle, based on a building life cycle model. It also establishes a system for the reporting and communication of the outcome of the assessment.
The document gives:
- the description of the object of assessment based on the functional equivalent;
- the system boundary that applies at the building level;
- calculation rules and procedure to be used to compile and assess the life cycle inventory and life cycle environmental impacts of buildings;
- the list of indicators and procedures for the calculation of these indicators;
- demand for information concerning building generated energy reporting;
- the requirements for the data necessary for the calculation;
- provides recommendations on how to assess aspects at the local environment level; and
- the requirements for presentation of the results in reporting and communication.
The approach to the assessment covers all stages of the building life cycle and is based on data obtained from Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and their "information modules" (EN 15804:2012+A2:2019), generic data according to EN 15941 and other data and 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 document is applicable to new, existing buildings and buildings undergoing refurbishment or any other kind of activity to extend its service life. Environmental impacts and aspects that are not related to the building are outside the scope of this standard. Methodologies for and approaches to the interpretation and the making of value judgments of the results of the assessment are outside the scope of this document.
The document also provides the methodological basis and assessment rules to support the achievement of environment related macro-objectives in Europe and instruments such as the European reporting framework Level(s).
NOTE More information on the European reporting framework Level(s)can be found at Level(s) (europa.eu).
Informative Annexes B and C provide non-LCA information covering environmental aspects at the local environment level and additional information on end-of-life scenarios.