prEN 18177

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2025
Krožno gospodarstvo v gradbeništvu - Okvir, načela in definicije
Circular economy in the construction sector - Framework, principles, and definitions
Kreislaufwirtschaft (Circular Economy) im Bausektor - Allgemeine Rahmenbedingungen,
Grundsätze und Definitionen
Economie circulaire dans le secteur de la construction- Cadre, principes et définitions
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 18177
ICS:
01.040.13 Okolje. Varovanje zdravja. Environment. Health
Varnost (Slovarji) protection. Safety
(Vocabularies)
01.040.91 Gradbeni materiali in gradnja Construction materials and
(Slovarji) building (Vocabularies)
13.020.20 Okoljska ekonomija. Environmental economics.
Trajnostnost Sustainability
91.010.01 Gradbeništvo na splošno Construction industry in
general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2025
ICS 01.040.13; 01.040.91; 13.020.20; 91.010.01
English Version
Circular economy in the construction sector - Framework,
principles, and definitions
Economie circulaire dans le secteur de la construction- Kreislaufwirtschaft (Circular Economy) im Bausektor -
Cadre, principes et définitions Allgemeine Rahmenbedingungen, Grundsätze und
Definitionen
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, Türkiye 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
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 18177:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
3.1 Terms related to circularity and the circular economy . 6
3.2 Environmental terms . 7
3.3 General terms . 9
3.4 Terms related to measurement and assessment . 12
3.5 Terms related to construction . 13
3.6 Terms related to circular actions . 15
4 Introduction to circular construction . 18
4.1 General . 18
4.2 Materials/raw materials . 20
4.3 Construction products . 21
4.4 Construction works and the construction . 22
5 Principles, objectives, and actions of circular construction . 24
5.1 General . 24
5.2 The principles and objectives of circular construction . 25
5.3 The loop methodology for classifying circular actions . 26
6 Implementation of principles, objectives, and actions . 28
6.1 General . 28
6.2 The role of circular actions in further standardization . 28
6.2.1 General . 28
6.2.2 Test methods . 29
6.3 Circular product information . 29
6.4 Time related aspects . 29
6.5 Assessment of circularity . 30
6.6 Overview . 30
7 Guidance for the assessment of circularity in the construction sector . 32
7.1 General . 32
7.2 Where circularity assessment should be applied in the construction industry . 32
7.3 The system in focus and the system boundaries . 33
7.4 Steps of a circularity assessment . 33
7.4.1 General . 33
7.4.2 Measurement . 34
7.4.3 Evaluation . 34
7.4.4 Assessment . 34
7.5 Measurement types for circular construction, and possible tools and indicators . 34
7.5.1 General . 34
7.5.2 Material Level Resource Flow Analysis (RFA), or Material Flow Analysis (MFA) . 34
7.5.3 Measurement of the principles and objectives of a circular construction . 35
7.5.4 Measurement of circular actions . 35
7.5.5 Measurement of the impacts of circularity related actions on society, environment, and
economy . 36
Annex A (informative) Considerations used in formulating the principles of circular
construction . 37
A.1 Considerations used in developing the objectives for circular construction . 37
A.2 Considerations used in developing the principles for circular construction . 38
A.3 Considerations used in formulation circular actions according to the ‘loop’ methodology . 40
A.3.1 General . 40
A.3.2 Relation between loop methodology and principles and objectives . 40
A.3.3 Loop methodology vs. “R strategies” . 41
Annex B (informative) Non-exclusive and illustrative examples of indicators and tools that
might be used for measuring circularity for various actions . 42
Annex C (informative) Examples of indicators and tools for measuring the impacts of
circular actions . 46
C.1 Examples . 46
Bibliography . 48
European foreword
This document (prEN 18177:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 350.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
Introduction
This document addresses the transformation of the construction sector and related branches towards
a circular economy. It embraces the different observations of action (raw materials, construction
products, and construction works) in the sector, as well as the huge difference in service lifetime for
different construction products and construction works.
This document targets stakeholders involved in decision making processes in the built environment. It
is part of the CEN/TC 350 series on the sustainability of construction works, and the document is a
horizontal standard that brings a foundation for a set of standards supporting the transformation
towards a circular economy in the construction sector.
This document supports implementation of the European Green Deal, which is a roadmap and series of
policy measures to ensure that the EU’s economy is sustainable and meets climate, ecological and
environmental targets whilst enabling economic growth. A key focus of the Green Deal is moving
towards a circular economy that decouples economic activity from extraction of primary raw materials
and waste production.
A central pillar of the Green Deal is the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP, 2020) which provides key
measures and development of the Monitoring Framework for the Circular Economy using key
indicators. The Construction sector is directly addressed in the CEAP setting minimum targets for
recycled content for certain construction products as well as material recovery targets for construction
and demolition waste (the results from deconstruction as secondary materials and products or end-of-
life materials). As part of the CEAP the strategy for a sustainable built environment promotes circular
economy principles for building design and promote the use of Level(s), the European assessment and
reporting framework for assessing the sustainability of construction works. The Level(s) approach
provides indicators and reporting templates linked to macro-objectives: greenhouse gas emissions
through a building’s life cycle, résourcé-éfficiént and circular material life cycles, éfficiént use of water
resources, healthy and comfortable spaces, adaptation and resilience and optimized life cycle cost and
value.
This document brings guidance to actors in the construction and real estate sector. It describes the main
terms and définitions (Clause 3), levels of action (Clause 4), principles, objectives, and actions of circular
construction (Clause 5), actions for implementation of principles and objectives (Clause 6), and guidance
for the assessment of circularity of construction products and construction works (Clause 7).
A regulatory challenge in the transformation process from a linear economy towards a circular economy
is the fact that technical and legal status must be brought together in order to create a basis for the
circularity of materials, resources or products. This can be seen, for example, in the discussion about
the beginning of waste status, or the beginning of status as a material, resource or product. This
discussion and the associated legal status represent a central challenge and foundation for the circular
management of materials and products previously used in construction works.
1 Scope
This document définés key terminology, establishes circular economy principles at the levels of
construction works as well as construction products of all kinds, and provides a guidance
framework for the implementation and assessment of circularity in the built environment.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and définitions apply.
3.1 Terms related to circularity and the circular economy
3.1.1
circular economy
economic system that uses a systemic approach to maintain a circular flow of resources, by regenerating,
retaining or adding to their value, while contributing to sustainable development
Note 1 to entry: In an ideal circular economy materials, components and products are kept in closed loops and
never reach end of life.
3.1.2
circular
fully aligned with the principles and objectives of a circular economy
[SOURCE: [1], 3.1.14]
3.1.3
circularity
degree of alignment with the principles and objectives of a circular economy
[SOURCE: [1], 3.1.15]
3.1.4
closed loop
system where products and materials are continually used and recovered through unlimited use cycles
without loss or degradation of their original properties
3.1.5
open loop
system where products and materials are repeatedly used and recovered through limited use cycles
but their original properties are lost or degraded so that further use is not possible
3.1.6
economic system
system by which a society organizes and allocates resources
Note 1 to entry: The economic system can vary depending upon the geographic region or governmental
jurisdiction.
Note 2 to entry: This can include the regulation of resources and the production, use and disposal of these
resources.
[SOURCE: [1], 3.1.2]
3.1.7
circular construction
creation, use, reuse and repurposing of construction works, construction products, materials and the
built environment whilst minimising the depletion of natural resources and environmental pollution
and negative impacts on ecosystems
Note 1 to entry: Spécifically, regarding construction works, a circular structure maximises resource utilisation
and minimises waste across its lifespan.
[SOURCE: Circular construction and materials for a sustainable building sector, BUILD UP (europa.eu)
[2],modifiéd to be compliant with terms and définition used here.]
3.1.8
circularity impact
measurable change to the economic, social or environmental system as a result of the organization’s
actions or policies relating to the circular economy
3.1.9
environmental impact
result of a change to the environment whether adverse, neutral or bénéficial, wholly or partially resulting
from environmental aspects
[SOURCE: [3], modifiéd – définition of impact has been integrated in the définition]
3.1.10
social impact
societal impact
result of a change to society or quality of life (including health and well-being) of individuals or at the
level of neighbourhoods or other areas of influéncé, whether adverse, neutral or bénéficial, wholly or
partially resulting from social aspects
[SOURCE: [3], modifiéd – définition of impact has been integrated in the définition]
3.1.11
economic impact
result of a change to the economic conditions, whether adverse, neutral or bénéficially, wholly or
partially resulting from economic aspects
[SOURCE: [3], modifiéd – définition of impact has been integrated in the définition]
3.2 Environmental terms
3.2.1
sustainability
ability to meet the environmental, social and economic needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Note 1 to entry: In the construction industry, sustainability relates to how the attributes of the activities, products
or services used in the construction work, or the use of the construction works, contribute to creating thriving,
healthy, diverse and resilient communities for this generation and generations to come
[SOURCE: [4], 3.2]
3.2.2
natural capital
stocks of natural assets which include geology, soil, air, water and all living things
Note 1 to entry: Natural capital can be considered on a local, regional or global level.
3.2.3
natural resource
raw material occurring in nature
Note 1 to entry: As a raw material, natural resources usually have not been subjected to any human related
processing or modification.
Note 2 to entry: Natural resources can be either a renewable resource or non-renewable resource.
Note 3 to entry: Natural resources are acquired or extracted from the environment or nature (the geosphere or
biosphere) into the technosphere and emissions to air, water or land are released from the technosphere into the
environment.
[SOURCE: [1], 3.3.1]
3.2.4
non-renewable resource
resource that exists in a finité or limited amount that cannot be naturally regenerated within a
foreseeable time frame
Note 1 to entry: Resources that are derived from activities that occur only in the technosphere such as recycling are
not considered renewable resources.
[SOURCE: [1], 3.3.7]
3.2.5
environmental footprint
environmental impacts of all chemical emissions, ecosystem changes and resource depletion caused by
a product
Note 1 to entry: Product environmental footprints are usually estimated through a life cycle assessment (LCA).
3.2.6
carbon footprint
climate impacts caused by a material, product or construction works measured as greenhouse gas
emissions
Note 1 to entry: Product carbon footprints are usually estimated through a life cycle assessment (LCA) and
expressed as CO equivalents.
Note 2 to entry: The carbon footprint is the total of the greenhouse gases emitted or removed in the processes
associated with the extraction, production, transportation to site, installation, use, refurbishment, replacement,
reuse and eventual disposal at the end of life of the materials, products or construction works.
Note 3 to entry: In the construction industry, global warming potential is often used as a term equivalent to carbon
footprint. However, in this document we align with the more spécific définition used for global warming potential
i.e. a measure of how much infrared thermal radiation a greenhouse gas added to the atmosphere would absorb
over a given time frame, as a multiple of the radiation that would be absorbed by the same mass of added carbon
dioxide.
3.2.7
embodied carbon
climate impacts caused by a material, product or construction works to the point where it is put into
use measured as greenhouse gas emissions
Note 1 to entry: The embodied carbon of a material, product or construction work is usually estimated through a
life cycle assessment (LCA) and expressed as CO equivalents.
Note 2 to entry: Embodied carbon is the total of the greenhouse gases emitted or removed in the processes
associated with the extraction, production, transportation to site and preparation for use.
3.2.8
biomass
material of biological origin excluding material embedded in geological formations or transformed to
fossilised material and excluding peat
Note 1 to entry: This includes organic material (both living and dead) from above and below ground, e.g. trees,
crops, grasses, tree litter, algae, animals, and waste of biological origin, e.g. manure
[SOURCE: [5], 3.1.1]
3.2.9
ecosystem
dynamic complex of communities of plants, animals and microorganisms and their non-living
environment, interacting as a functional entity
[SOURCE: [6], 3.2.4]
3.2.10
regenerate
improve or restore a degraded ecosystem
3.2.11
renewable resource
resources that can be naturally grown so they are renewed or replenished on a human time scale whilst
maintaining or improving their ecological cycles at a rate equal to or greater than consumption so that
the products and services provided by these resources are not endangered and remain available for
future use
Note 1 to entry: A renewable resource is capable of being exhausted but may last indéfinitély with proper
stewardship. Examples include: biomass (used for bio-based materials) and fertile soil that remains within its
ecosystem.
Note 2 to entry: Activities that occur in the technosphere such as recycling are not considered natural renewal or
replenishment.
Note 3 to entry: In this context, human time scale refers to the typical life of a human rather than the time that
humans have been in existence.
Note 4 to entry: Minerals such as river silt, river sand, extracted soils etc. are not considered as renewable resources
because of ecosystem damage their extraction is associated with which may take many generations to recover
from.
3.2.12
non-renewable resource
resource that exists in a finité amount that cannot be replenished on a human time scale
[SOURCE: [7]]
3.3 General terms
3.3.1
raw material
primary or secondary material that is used to produce a product
Note 1 to entry: Primary raw material is a material which has never been processed into any form of end-use
product.
Note 2 to entry: The term raw material refers to both extracted and non-extracted raw materials.
[SOURCE: [8], 3.2, modifiéd – addition of Note 2 to entry.]
3.3.2
extracted raw material
is material or minimally processed material obtained by types of mining operations for use in
construction works
Note 1 to entry: Soils and minerals are typical excavation products.
Note 2 to entry: Typical extracted material processing are washing, size selection, grinding etc.
3.3.3
non-extracted raw material
material or minimally processed grown material for use in construction works
EXAMPLE        timber, straw, plant materials etc.
3.3.4
excavated material
masses that are excavated during construction or deconstruction
Note 1 to entry: Excavated material includes various types of soil and rock or secondary materials that are removed
from the ground in order to create space for buildings or infrastructure or to deconstruct existing structures.
Note 2 to entry: Excavated materials arise particularly during civil engineering projects such as the construction
or deconstruction of foundations, cellars, trenches or tunnels.
3.3.5
secondary material
material that has previously been processed or used, has been captured and undergone processing to
produce new materials or products
EXAMPLE        by-products of a process or manufacturing process, recycled materials, recovered materials etc.
Note 1 to entry: Secondary materials are intended to meet market demands and are subject to any validation,
cértification or standards associated with their intended use.
3.3.6
principle
fundamental basis for decision making or behaviour
[SOURCE: [9], 2.14]
3.3.7
decoupling
separation of economic development from increases in environmental pressure
Note 1 to entry: In a circular economy, raw material extraction is not related to production and use.
Note 2 to entry: In a circular economy, product production and use are not related to the production of waste.
3.3.8
technical service life
period during which a construction works or construction product remains functional and in use for its
intended purpose
Note 1 to entry: This includes service, maintenance or repair that allows its continued use before the construction
works or construction product reaches end of life.
3.3.9
durability
ability of a product or material to retain its required properties during its intended service life in function
as required, under spécifiéd conditions of use, maintenance, repair and update until a limiting state
prevents its functioning
Note 1 to entry: Durability can be expressed in units appropriate to the part or product concerned, e.g., operating
cycles, distance run, etc. The units should always be clearly stated.
Note 2 to entry: Durability is influéncéd by reliability, maintenance, repair and updates (e.g. in software).
[SOURCE: [10]]
3.3.10
waste
material or product which the holder discards or intends to discard, or is required to discard
Note 1 to entry: Materials or products that are properly considered as waste should have reached their end of life
and have no functional or economic value.
[SOURCE: [11], 3.102, modifiéd]
3.3.11
end-of-life
point in time during the life cycle at which a product or material is taken out of use and is disposed of
Note 1 to entry: Disposal could be in the form of incineration, deposit to landfill, or organic recycling.
Note 2 to entry: End of life refers to the point where the product or material has reached the end of its final use life.
[SOURCE: [1], 3.5,30, modifiéd – Replacement of resource with material, addition of disposal of, note 2
to entry added.]
3.3.12
technical value
ability of a material, component or product to fulfil the purpose expected of it and meet the functional
requirements and performance demanded of it by any spécifications, standards, regulation or
compliance which it may fall under
EXAMPLE    thermal insulation performance, mechanical properties, durability, watérproofing
3.3.13
functional value
ability of a material, component or product to fulfil the purpose expected of it by society
Note 1 to entry: I.e. the material, component or product functions at a minimum level to meet its design criteria.
3.3.14
economic value
value of an asset calculated according to its ability to produce income in the present or in the future
Note 1 to entry: The economic value is not e.g. the depreciation value. Instead it is related to fulfil its requirements
usually beyond the deprecation period.
3.3.15
environmental value
value of a material, product or construction to the local and global ecosystem
Note 1 to entry: The value can be positive or negative depending on whether it is a bénéfit or detriment.
Note 2 to entry: Both local and global ecosystems need to be considered. Local ecosystem changes include changes
to water, soil quality, toxic waste etc. Global ecosystem changes include emissions to air, ground and water that
impact more than the immediate environment.
3.3.16
social value
societal value
value that individuals, groups or societal groups place on the changes they experience in their lives
Note 1 to entry: The value can be positive or negative depending on whether it is a bénéfit or detriment.
3.3.17
product
physical-based object designed for or utilized with a purpose
Note 1 to entry: A product can be e.g. goods of any type; hardware (e.g. engine mechanical part, spare parts,
consumables); processed materials (e.g. lubricant).
[SOURCE: [1], 3.2.2]
3.3.18
resource
asset that can be used in construction works that is not idéntifiablé as a physical material or product
EXAMPLE        water, air, energy
Note 1 to entry: Resource use and flows are quantifiéd using resource flow analysis whilst material flow analysis
is used to quantify amounts of materials or products.
3.4 Terms related to measurement and assessment
3.4.1
circularity performance
quantification of a material, component or product with reference to measurements that contribute to
its circularity
3.4.2
circularity measurement
processes that contribute to the circularity performance of a material, component or product, the
progress of actions and contribution to the principles and objectives as well as the circularity impacts
through the collection, calculation or compilation of data or information
3.4.3
circularity evaluation
processes by which the data and information gathered in a circularity measurement are interpreted
3.4.4
circularity assessment
evaluation of the circularity performance in terms of the circularity impact(s) or of a material,
component and product
3.4.5
circularity indicator
metric used to measure one or more elements characteristics of a material, component or products in
a circularity performance rating
3.4.6
system in focus
system that is définéd by selected boundaries and is the subject of circularity
3.4.7
system boundary
boundary representing physical, process, temporal and geographical limits of what is included and what
is not included in an assessment
[SOURCE: [12], 3.31]
3.4.8
life cycle assessment
compilation and evaluation of the inputs, outputs, and the potential environmental impacts of a product
system throughout its life cycle
3.4.9
use cycle
use life
period of time in which a material, component or product is used before being reused, or discarded
3.4.10
life cycle
consecutive and interlinked use cycles of a product’s life, from raw material acquisition or generation
from natural resources, or in the case of products which have previously been incorporated in a
construction work, from the latest de-installation from the construction work, to final disposal
Note 1 to entry: In an ideal circular economy the life cycle spans an infinité time period as a product and its
components and materials have unlimited numbers of use cycles.
[SOURCE: [11]]
3.4.11
resource flow analysis
RFA
measurement of the inflows and outflows of all resources including emissions and losses from and into
the system in focus
Note 1 to entry: nI a properly conducted RFA the inflows and outflows of resources should be balanced.
3.4.12
material flow analysis
MFA
measurement of the inflows and outflows of all materials including related emissions and losses from
and into the system in focus
Note 1 to entry: In a properly conducted MFA the inflows and outflows of materials should be balanced.
3.5 Terms related to construction
3.5.1
built environment
collection of man-made or induced physical objects located in a particular area or region
Note 1 to entry: When treated as a whole, the built environment typically is taken to include buildings , external
works (landscaped areas), infrastructure and other construction works  within the area under consideration.
[SOURCE: [3], 3.5]
3.5.2
construction works
constructions
building and civil engineering activities that may both be over or in the ground or water
Note 1 to entry: These include but not limited to bridges, tunnels, pylons and other facilities for transport of
electricity, communication cables, pipelines, aqueducts, dams, airports, ports, water ways, and installations which
are the basis for rails of railways.
Note 2 to entry: These exclude windmills, oil platforms or chemical plants, industry manufacturing installations,
agricultural installations, electricity generation installations, military installations, whilst their shelters may be
buildings.
Note 3 to entry: In the US and more widely through other countries and Europe, construction as a noun is
synonymous with construction works.
Note 4 to entry: This définition is consistent with Construction Products Regulation (305/2011/EU) where
construction works is définéd as “means buildings and civil engineering works.
[SOURCE: [11], modifiéd – addition of notes to entry 3 and 4]
3.5.3
construction product
manufactured article for incorporation in a permanent manner in construction works or parts thereof
and the performance of which has an effect on the performance of the construction works with respect
to the basic requirements for construction works
Note 1 to entry: hTe basic requirements of construction products include: mechanical resistance and stability;
safety in case of firé; hygiene, health and the environment; safety and accessibility in use; protection against noise;
energy economy and heat retention; sustainable use of natural resources.
[SOURCE: [11]]
3.5.4
construction element
construction component
part of a construction containing a définéd combination of products
EXAMPLE        cladding system, structure, insulation, vapour barrier, plasterboard, etc.
Note 1 to entry: This may include for example pre-constructed components such as roofs and walls.
Note 2 to entry: The terms construction element and construction component may encompass intermediate levels
between construction work and construction product, and between construction product and construction
materials. These may be subject to system boundaries of the spécific use. For these intermediate levels terms may
be used as parts, components or elements. These need further spécification depending on system boundaries.
[SOURCE: [13], 3.9 – modifiéd by addition of notes 1 and 2 to entry.]
3.5.5
demolition
removal of the structural elements of technical and/or structural installations or parts thereof with the
destruction of functionality, partially or completely, conventionally or selectively
Note 1 to entry: The term “dismantling” is used as a superordinate term in the Construction Guidelines for Recycling
and includes demolition. Also see DIN 18007.
Note 2 to entry: "Conventional demolition": Demolition, usually by crushing, pulverizing, cutting and blasting,
without mandatory requirements regarding gutting and/or clearing out as well as separation and/or recovery of
demolition material prior to demolition.
Note 3 to entry: "Selective demolition": Demolition with prior clearing, taking into account requirements for typé-
spécific collection and disposal of the demolition material.
3.5.6
deconstruction
dissassembly
selective dismantlement of a construction or parts thereof, with a view towards the reuse, repurposing,
recycling of construction products and materials
Note 1 to entry: Deconstruction is usually accompanied by a deconstruction audit which idéntifiés the construction
materials, products or elements that can be recovered.
3.5.7
detachment
dis-attachment
act of removing a construction element from a construction
Note 1 to entry: detachment is the removal of a construction element or component for the intention or recovery
3.5.8
circular design
design of a construction, construction product or construction element that incorporates the principles
of a circular economy
Note 1 to entry: In circular construction this means design that, for example, extends use life, promotes reuse and
increased recyclability.
3.5.9
adaptive design
design that allows construction works to adapt to changing needs and conditions and respond to change
in response to user and environmental demands
EXAMPLE        the use of modular construction products and construction elements (components) such as movable
walls
3.6 Terms related to circular actions
3.6.1
circular action
activity carried out with the intention of contributing to the development of a circular economy
[SOURCE: NEL lexicon, modification – to the development of was added]
3.6.2
retain value
retain functional value
maximising the use life of a construction or construction product for as long as is practical
Note 1 to entry: “Is practical’ means that the construction or construction product has an acceptable functional
and technical value to allow continued use and the use does not compromise its economic, societal or
environmental value.
3.6.3
recover value
recover functional value
process of extracting the maximum use of constructions, construction products and construction
materials, whether in their current use or another application, through circular actions
Note 1 to entry: The is particularly applicable during deconstruction where properly considered circular design
coupled to a deconstruction audit can be used to extract as many useful materials and products as can be practically
achieved.
3.6.4
reclaim
processes where construction products and materials are obtained from construction debris that might
otherwise be idéntifiéd as waste
3.6.5
re-use
operation by which construction products or materials, having reached their end of life stage or the
construction in which they are used is in the deconstruction phase, are used again without reprocessing
but may be subject to simple preparation
Note 1 to entry: Simple preparation for re-use means, where required, checking and testing for functional
compliance, cleaning, removal of connections, trimming, stripping of coatings and/or other recovery operations
or repair, by which products or components of products that reached their end of life are prepared so that they
can be reused without any other reprocessing.
Note 2 to entry: Reprocessing are processes where the original or similar function of the product or material is
lost. Typical reprocesses include stripping of sub-components, grinding, chemical treatments (other than cleaning
products) and other processes that may be described as recycling.
3.6.6
used construction product
product that has been previously installed at least once into a construction work and has not undergone
a process other than checking, cleaning, repairing or recovery operations so that it can be used for
construction purposes without any other pre-processing
Note 1 to entry: To be suitable for use the used construction product can be subject to testing, ré-cértification and
any other regulatory requirements.
[SOURCE: CPR, modifiéd]
3.6.7
recycling
recovery operation by which materials that might otherwise be idéntifiéd as at the end of their life are
reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes
Note 1 to entry: Recycling does not include energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be
used as fuels or for backfilling operations.
[SOURCE: 2008/98/EC, modifiéd – sentence in the note 1 to entry has been moved from the définition,
and terminology around end of life has replaced the term waste.]
3.6.8
downcycling
recovery operation where the results of recycling are of lower technical value than the original materials
3.6.9
upcycling
recovery operation where the results of recycling are of higher technical value than the original
materials
3.6.10
closed-loop recycling
processing of returning used materials, products or components to a condition where they can be used
repeatedly for their original function whilst fulfilling the technical requirements for their use meeting
the existing standards and legislation applicable to them
3.6.11
open-looped recycling
processing of used materials to a condition where they can be used again but their performance and
technical characteristics are worsened such that the number of recycles is limited
3.6.12
upgradability
ability of a product to be enhanced or improved by replacing certain components or parts with newer
or more advanced versions
Note 1 to entry: Upgradability requires a modular design, which allows for individual components to be easily
removed and upgraded without replacing the entire product.
3.6.13
material recovery
recovery operation, other than energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be used
as fuels or other means to generate energy
Note 1 to entry: This includes, for example, preparing for re-use, recycling, and backfilling as well as other forms
of materials recovery.
3.6.14
energy recovery
recovery operation where waste is used to generate energy in an installation where its energy éfficiéncy
(R1) is equal or above 65 %* of use of a secondary fuel for energy generation
[SOURCE: [11]]
3.6.15
rethink
optimizing resource use by reassessing design, construction methods, and materials to reduce waste
and extend product lifespan and enable multiple use cycles
3.6.16
upgradability
ability of a product to be enhanced or improved by replacing certain components or parts that enable
higher technical performance or meet new regulatory requirements
3.6.17
repair
actions outside planned maintenance to return component or assembled system to an acceptable
condition and meet functional requirements through the renewal, replacement or mending worn,
damaged or degraded parts, but not changing its original parameters
Note 1 to entry: Repair refers to unplanned action because the component or assembled system
...