Mandatory and optional environmental impact categories
EN 15804+A2 Sustainability of construction works - Environmental product declarations - Core rules for the product category of construction products - is the updated EN 15804 standard and refers to the full life cycle assessment including all stages of use.
[edit] Mandatory environmental impact categories
The updated EN 15804+A2 adjusts the list of mandatory environmental impact categories to include a greater level of definition:
- Climate Change - Total (CCT)
- Climate Change - Fossil (CCF)
- Climate Change - Biogenic (CCB)
- Climate Change - Land-use and Land Use Change (LULUC)
- Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) - Ozone Depletion
- Photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) - Photochemical ozone formation
- Acidification - (AP)
- Eutrophication aquatic freshwater - (EPAF)
- Eutrophication aquatic marine - (EPAM)
- Eutrophication terrestrial - (EPT)
- Abiotic depletion potential for minerals and metals (ADPMM)
- Abiotic depletion potential for fossil resources (ADPFR)
- Water use (WU)
[edit] Optional environmental impact categories
The updated EN 15804+A2 also has addition and optional environmental impact categories for EN 15804+A2, PEF; for stages A1-A3 and A4-A5, plus B1-7, C1-3 and D.
EN 15804+A2 disclaimer for Ionizing radiation, human health. This impact category deals mainly with the eventual impactof low dose ionizing radiation on human health of the nuclear fuel cycle. It does not consider effects due to possible nuclear accidents, occupational exposure or waste disposal. Potential ionizing radiation from the soil, from radon and from some construction materials is also not measured by this indicator.
- Particulate matter (Incidence)
- Ionizing radiation, human health (kBq U235e)
- Eco-toxicity (freshwater) CTUe
- Human toxicity, cancer effects (CTUh)
- Human toxicity, non-cancer effects (CTUh)
- Land use related impacts/soil quality
TRACI 2.1
- Global warming potential kg CO2e
- Ozone depletion kg CFC11e
- Photochemical smog formation kg O3e
- Acidification kg SO2e
- Eutrophication kg Ne
- Depletion of non-renewable energy MJ
Use of Natural Resources
- Renewable PER used as energy MJ
- Renewable PER used as materials MJ
- Total use of renewable PER MJ
- Non-renew. PER used as energy MJ
- Non-renew. PER used as materials MJ
- Total use of non-renewable PER MJ
- Use of secondary materials kg
- Use of renewable secondary fuels MJ
- Use of non-renew. secondary fuels MJ
- Use of net fresh water m3
PER abbreviation stands for primary energy resources
- Hazardous waste kg
- Non-hazardous waste kg
- Radioactive waste kg
End-of-Life Output flows
- Components for reuse kg
- Materials for recycling kg
- Materials for energy recovery kg
- Exported energy MJ
[edit] Related articles of Designing Buildings
- An in-depth look at Environmental Product Declarations EPDs.
- British Standards
- BS EN 15978-1
- Collaboration, standards and their acronyms explained.
- European Standards
- Environmental product declaration EPD
- EN 15804+A1 2012
- International Standards
- Mandatory environmental impact categories
- Optional environmental impact categories
- Product Environmental Footprint PEF
- Product category rules PCR.
- Sustainable procurement.
- The sustainability of construction works.
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.