ISO 21931-1:2022

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 21931-1
Second edition
2022-06
Sustainability in buildings and civil
engineering works — Framework
for methods of assessment of the
environmental, social and economic
performance of construction
works as a basis for sustainability
assessment —
Part 1:
Buildings
Développement durable dans les bâtiments et les ouvrages de
génie civil — Cadre méthodologique de l'évaluation au sens du
développement durable des performances environnementales, sociales
et économiques des ouvrages de construction —
Partie 1: Bâtiments
Reference number
ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
© ISO 2022

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ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
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© ISO 2022
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Published in Switzerland
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ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
3.1 Terms relating to construction works and construction products . 2
3.2 Terms relating to performance . 5
3.3 Terms relating to life cycle approaches . 7
3.4 Terms relating to resources and materials . 11
3.5 Miscellaneous terms .12
4 Principles and application .13
5 The object of assessment.13
5.1 General .13
5.1.1 Perspectives on a building . 13
5.1.2 A building as a place in which to live, work or socialize . 14
5.1.3 A building as a part of the built environment . 14
5.1.4 A building as an end-use product and an integrated assembly of products . 14
5.1.5 A building as an economic asset . 15
5.1.6 A building as a project to be managed from its inception to end-of-life .15
5.1.7 A building as a system in operation . 16
5.1.8 A place for shelter and protection of contents . 16
5.1.9 A building as an object that embodies cultural value . 16
5.1.10 A building as either an enduring or short-term asset . 16
5.2 System boundary . . 18
5.3 Functional equivalent . 18
5.4 The building life cycle . 19
5.4.1 General . 19
5.4.2 The use of modules in the building assessment . 20
5.4.3 The life cycle of building components . 24
5.5 Relevance of local contexts . 25
6 Framework for methods of assessment .26
6.1 General . 26
6.2 Assessment method documentation . 26
6.3 Purpose of assessment . 27
6.4 Statement of assumptions and scenarios. 27
6.5 The structured list of issues related to the areas of concern included in the
assessment . 27
6.5.1 Environmental issues. 27
6.5.2 Social issues .29
6.5.3 Economic issues . 36
6.5.4 Issues related to the management processes for construction, delivery,
operation and maintenance .39
6.5.5 Additional issues . 41
7 Methods for quantification .41
7.1 General . 41
7.2 Information for the assessment . 42
7.2.1 Sources . 42
7.2.2 Quality . 43
7.3 Traceability and transparency . 43
7.4 Multi-effects and double counting . 43
7.5 Using performance levels . 43
7.6 Weighting and aggregation .44
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ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
8 Evaluation of assessment results .45
8.1 General . 45
8.2 Comparability of the results . 45
9 Assessment report .46
Annex A (informative) Extent and application of the assessment method .48
Annex B (informative) Responsible sourcing.50
Annex C (informative) Stakeholder involvement .52
Annex D (informative) Potential multi-effects of indicators .53
Bibliography .56
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ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 59, Buildings and civil engineering works,
Subcommittee SC 17, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 21931-1:2010), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the scope has been expanded from a framework for methods of assessment of environmental
performance to also include provisions related to methods for the assessment of economic and
social performance of construction works, as an overall basis for sustainability assessment.
A list of all parts in the ISO 21931 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
Introduction
Buildings and constructed assets have an impact on sustainable development. Therefore, the
internationally recognized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formulated by the United Nations
also apply to the construction and real estate industry. Amongst other things, the construction of
sustainable and resilient buildings is required as part of targets towards sustainable cities and
communities formulated in SDG 11. This goal is closely interrelated with the other SDGs. Both providers
and buyers of real estate need clear characteristics and assessment criteria in order to evaluate, assess
and communicate the contribution of buildings to sustainable development.
The provision and use of buildings in the sense of constructed shelters is a prerequisite for the residential
sector, as well as for trade and industry. Buildings constitute both a living and working environment
and affect the safety, comfort and performance of the user, as well as the quality of coexistence/life in
a community. Aspects of urban integration and architectural design of buildings are important for the
overall quality of the built environment: they can represent a cultural value. Buildings and constructed
assets represent a high economic value both from a private, micro-economic and macro-economic
point of view. Their construction and maintenance contribute to the preservation and creation of jobs,
whereas the building-related negative effects on the environment contribute to external costs. The
construction, use and maintenance of buildings are associated with significant energy and material
flows, as well as adverse effects on the local and global environment. This includes health risks and
risks to the environment. The type of design, construction and operation of buildings, together with the
future construction of building stocks, have a great effect on sustainable development.
Against the background of climate change and the related SDG Goal 13 on Climate Action, and the
importance of energy-saving, resource-saving, and healthy and cost-effective design, construction and
management of buildings, there is a need for the creation of a basis for the assessment of environmental,
social and economic performance; this is one purpose of this document. This document aims to bridge
the gap between regional and national methods for the assessment of the environmental, social and
economic performance of buildings, by providing a common framework for their expression. Practical,
relevant rules and recommendations concerning methods for the assessment of the environmental,
social and economic performance of buildings, which can exist on either a national or regional basis,
can be examined and improved by the use of the framework of assessment, which is the basis of this
document. Furthermore, general criteria for the determination and assessment of the environmental,
social and economic performance of buildings are specified. These are derived from the areas of
protection of sustainable development according to ISO 21929-1. The contribution of individual
buildings to sustainable development can only be assessed if the technical and functional requirements
are met and the results of the assessment of the environmental, social and economic performance are
simultaneously and equally weighted.
Life-cycle-based approaches play an increasingly significant role for setting performance criteria
within methods of assessment of environmental, social and economic performance of buildings.
However, methods of assessment of the environmental, economic and social performance of buildings
need to refer to limited criteria and seek a balance between rigour and practicality.
Target conflicts can occur when attempting to plan environmentally- and health-friendly buildings,
which are characterized by a high user acceptance and are at the same time economically advantageous.
These target conflicts can be identified through the combined analysis of ecological, social and economic
aspects. Already in the planning phase, the consequences of decisions on the energy and material flows
with resulting environmental impacts, on the life cycle costs as well as on the social performance can
be identified and influenced. The effects of decisions on the size and shape, the construction method,
the choice of materials or the energy sources, among others, can be analysed.
The subject of this document is the building on its site (curtilage) throughout its life cycle. This document
can be used to support planning and decision-making for new constructions and refurbishment actions.
This particularly affects the comparison of variants, the provision of information for sustainability
assessment and certification systems, as well as the provision of information for funders, valuers,
facility and portfolio managers, risk analysts and others.
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ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
Such assessments can also be used for benchmarking performance and monitoring progress
towards improvement of performance; their communication provides a basis for demonstrating and
communicating the result of efforts to improve environmental, social and economic performance in
construction works.
This document aims at builders, planners and developers of sustainability assessment systems for
individual buildings.
This document is one of a suite of documents dealing with sustainability in building construction,
which includes ISO 21929-1, ISO 21930 and ISO 15392, along with the terminology of sustainability in
building construction (ISO/TR 21932). The relationship among the documents is illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — Suite of related documents for sustainability
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering
works — Framework for methods of assessment of
the environmental, social and economic performance
of construction works as a basis for sustainability
assessment —
Part 1:
Buildings
1 Scope
This document provides a general framework for improving the quality and comparability of methods
for assessing the environmental, social and economic performance of construction works, and their
combination as a basis for the sustainability assessment of buildings.
It identifies and describes issues to be taken into account in the development and use of methods of
assessment of the environmental, social and economic characteristics, aspects and impacts of new or
existing buildings. These relate to the building’s design, production of construction products, materials
and components, construction, operation, maintenance and refurbishment and end-of-life processes.
This document is applicable to the assessment of the building (or part thereof) and the external works
within its site (curtilage).
NOTE The assessment of environmental, social and economic aspects related to the location of the building,
such as those resulting from transportation of the users, can extend beyond the area of the building site.
This document does not set benchmarks or levels of performance relative to environmental, social and
economic impacts and aspects.
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.
ISO 6707-1, Buildings and civil engineering works — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms
ISO 6707-2, Buildings and civil engineering works — Vocabulary — Part 2: Contract and communication
terms
ISO 14050, Environmental management — Vocabulary
ISO 15686-1, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 1: General principles and
framework
ISO 15686-2, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 2: Service life prediction
procedures
ISO 15686-5, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 5: Life-cycle costing
ISO 15686-7, Buildings and constructed assets — Service life planning — Part 7: Performance evaluation
for feedback of service life data from practice
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ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
ISO 15686-8, Buildings and constructed assets — Service-life planning — Part 8: Reference service life and
service-life estimation
ISO 21678, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works — Indicators and benchmarks —
Principles, requirements and guidelines
ISO 21930:2017, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works — Core rules for environmental
product declarations of construction products and services
ISO/TR 21932, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works — A review of terminology
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 6707-1, ISO 6707-2, ISO 14050,
ISO/TR 21932 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
NOTE Several of the listings below include terminology data from ISO 6707-1 and ISO 6707-2 for convenience
and direct reference.
3.1 Terms relating to construction works and construction products
3.1.1
building
construction works (3.1.7) that has the provision of shelter for its occupants or contents as one of its
main purposes, usually partially or totally enclosed and designed to stand permanently in one place
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2020, 3.1.1.3, modified — Note 1 to entry has been removed.]
3.1.2
component
item manufactured as a distinct unit to serve a specific function or functions
Note 1 to entry: A building component is a part of a building (3.1.1), fulfilling specific requirements/functions
(e.g. a window or a heating system). The service life (3.1.13) of a building component can be shorter than the full
service life of the building. Building components are sometimes referred to as “building elements”.
Note 2 to entry: A product component is a part of a complex construction product (3.1.6), for example a seal of a
window or a burner as part of a heating system, fulfilling specific requirements/functions. The service life of a
product component can be shorter than the service life of the of the building or building element or the "complex"
construction product.
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2020, 3.4.1.3, modified — the reference to "product" has been replaced by "item"
and two notes to entry have been added.]
3.1.3
assembly
set of related components (3.1.2) attached to each other
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2020, 3.3.5.5]
3.1.4
brief
program, US
document that states the requirements for a project
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-2:2017, 3.2.18]
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ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
3.1.5
client
person or organization initiating and financing a project and approving the brief (3.1.4)
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-2:2017, 3.8.2]
3.1.6
construction product
item manufactured or processed for incorporation in a building (3.1.1)
Note 1 to entry: Construction products are items supplied by a single responsible body.
Note 2 to entry: In this document, unless otherwise designated, the term construction product is used for any
good(s) or service(s) related to a building.
Note 3 to entry: Assemblies (3.1.3), construction elements and integrated technical systems, incorporated within
the building can be considered construction products.
[SOURCE: ISO 21930:2017, 3.2.2, modified — The references to "construction works" have been replaced
with "building(s)"; the reference to "construction assemblies" has been replaced with "assemblies".]
3.1.7
construction works
construction, US
everything that is constructed or results from construction operations
[SOURCE: ISO 6707-1:2020, 3.1.1.1, modified — Two notes to entry have been removed.]
3.1.8
constructed asset
anything of value that is constructed or results from construction operations
[SOURCE: ISO 20887:2020, 3.8]
3.1.9
design life
service life (3.1.13) intended by the designer
Note 1 to entry: As stated by the designer to the client to support specification decisions.
[SOURCE: ISO 15686-1:2011, 3.3, modified — The abbreviated term and the deprecated terms have
been removed.]
3.1.10
estimated service life
service life (3.1.13) that a building (3.1.1) or parts of a building would be expected to have in a set of
specific in-use conditions, determined from reference service life data after taking into account any
differences from the reference in-use conditions
Note 1 to entry: The estimated service life is considered in the calculation of replacements at both the construction
product (3.1.6) level and building level (B4) and refurbishment (B5) (see 5.4.2.3).
[SOURCE: ISO 15686-1:2011, 3.7, modified — The abbreviated term has been removed; Note 1 to entry
has been added.]
3.1.11
required service life
service life (3.1.13) required by the client or through regulations
Note 1 to entry: The required service life is considered in the calculation of replacements at both the construction
product (3.1.6) level and building (3.1.1) level (B4) and refurbishment (B5) (see 5.4.2.3).
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ISO 21931-1:2022(E)
[SOURCE: ISO 21930:2017, 3.2.14, modified — The reference to "construction works" has been replaced
with "building".]
3.1.12
resilience
ability to resist, adapt to, or quickly recover from potentially disruptive events or conditions, whether
natural or anthropogenic, in order to maintain or restore the intended service
3.1.13
service life
period of time after installation during which a building (3.1.1) or its component parts meet or exceed
the performance (3.2.1) requirements
[SOURCE: ISO 15686-1:2011, 3.25, modified — The reference to "facility" has been replaced with
"building".]
3.1.14
sustainable development
development that meets the environmental, social and economic needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
[SOURCE: ISO Guide 82:2019, 3.2, modified — Note 1 to entry has been removed.]
3.1.15
disassembly
non-destructive taking-apart of a construction works (3.1.7) or constructed
...