ASTM publishes C150, C595 and C1157 product category rules

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

With guidance from 10 PCA member companies, ASTM International has released product category rules (PCR) for six grades of binder under Committee C01 on Cement—portland, portland-limestone, blended hydraulic, masonry, mortar, and plastic (stucco)—providing producers and their customers a tool central to emerging green building practice: environmental product declarations (EPD).

Joining PCA staff in the PCR development were representatives from Argos USA, Ash Grove Cement, CalPortland Co., Cemex USA, Lafarge North America, Lehigh Hanson Inc., GCC of America, St Marys Cement, Salt River Materials, and Titan America. Other contributors included National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and Cement Association of Canada representatives. A PDF of the 19-page “Product Category Rules for Preparing an Environmental Product Declaration for Portland, Blended Hydraulic, Masonry, Mortar and Plastic (Stucco) Cements” can be obtained here.

“I commend our member companies for collaborating on a standardized method for discussing information about the environmental impact of several cement products,” says PCA Chairman Cary Cohrs (American Cement). “Through this process, we are able to truly understand the impact of cement on the environment.”

EPDs hinge on data collection instructions and life cycle assessment calculations found within the PCR. Ultimately, they allow purchasers and users to make informed comparisons between building materials and products when using life cycle analyses on projects. To create a comparable EPD, notes ASTM Director of Certification Products Christopher Surak, material producers and product manufacturers “must follow the same rules. Similar to standards, PCR are developed in a collaborative manner and ASTM is uniquely positioned to provide the venue for developing an industry PCR.”