With ISO 15392:2008, Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization (ISO) establishes internationally recognized principles for sustainability in building construction
With ISO 15392:2008, Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization (ISO) establishes internationally recognized principles for sustainability in building construction. The new standard applies the concept of Îcradle to graveÌ sustainable development to buildings and other structures, individually and collectively, encompassing construction materials, products, services and processes.
Since construction works absorb considerable resources over their life cycle, ISO emphasizes, they wield significant economic influence and environmental impact. Moreover, building and construction constitutes a key sector in national economies, and the built environment is a major determinant in quality of life. ISO 15392 thus provides a common basis for communication among builders and architects, product manufacturers and designers, building owners, policy makers and regulators, housing authorities, and consumers to achieve the common goal of sustainable building.
Fundamentals elaborated in ISO 15392:2008, Sustainability in Building Construction – General Principles, form the basis for a suite of standards promoting sustainable construction via multiple avenues. The standard interprets sustainability as comprising three primary aspects Û economic, environmental, and social aspects Û while addressing technical and functional performance requirements. Accordingly, ISO 15392 reflects the tenet that meeting the challenge of sustainable construction worldwide necessarily entails strategies dictated by local conditions, including priorities and needs in the social environment, e.g., poverty reduction and job creation, particularly in developing countries.
ISO 15392:2008, Sustainability in Building Construction – General Principles was prepared by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 59-Building Construction, Subcommittee SC 17-Sustainability in Building Construction. A related standard, ISO 21930:2007 Û intended also as a tool for building designers, manufacturers, building users and owners Û was announced late last year to provide the framework for environmental declarations of building products. Construction professionals can obtain the standards from ISO national member institutes, a complete listing of which is posted at www.iso.org, where orders can be placed as well through the ISO store.