Assessing the environmental impacts of construction
The context for environmental assessment in the construction sector is undergoing considerable change. This is largely due to the publication of a suite of standards from CEN TC 350, which interlink with those from the International Standards Organisation (ISO) relating to life cycle assessment (LCA) and Type III environmental labelling.
Experts have written a paper, funded by the BRE Trust, to provide an aid to understanding the implications of CEN TC 350’s emerging standards for assessing the environmental performance of construction products (materials) and buildings.
The document presents an overview of the TC 350 standards relating to the environmental performance of materials and buildings and identifies the key aspects of the standards and their implications for modelling the environmental impacts of construction.
The paper will be of interest to manufacturers of construction products and services, architects and specifiers using these products and services, and LCA practitioners engaged in assessing them. It will help readers develop an understanding of the standards emerging in Europe and the challenges in implementing them.
You can download the full briefing paper here.
--BRE Buzz
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”





















