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The new ISO 15392:2008 standard establishes internationally-recognised
principles for sustainability in building construction.
It thus provides a common basis for communication between
stakeholders - such as builders and architects, product manufacturers
and designers, building owners, policy makers and regulators,
housing authorities and consumers.
ISO 15392 is based on the concept of sustainable development
as it applies to buildings and other construction works, from
'the cradle to the grave'. Over their life cycle, construction
works absorb considerable resources and contribute to the
transformation of the environment. As a result, they can have
considerable economic consequences and impacts on both the
environment and human health.
The foundations elaborated in ISO 15392:2008 - Sustainability
in building construction – General principles, form the
basis for a suite of standards intended to address specific
issues and aspects of sustainability. They are applicable
to buildings and other construction works - individually and
collectively - as well as to building materials, products,
services and processes.
The building and construction sector is a key sector in national
economies and the built environment is a major element in
determining quality of life, as well as contributing to cultural
identity and heritage.
Addressing sustainability in buildings and other construction
works includes the interpretation and consideration of sustainable
development in terms of its three primary aspects – economic,
environmental and social – while meeting the requirements
for technical and functional performance.
The principles elaborated in ISO 15392 take into account
that, while the challenge of sustainable development is global,
the strategies for addressing sustainability in building construction
are essentially local and differ in context and content from
region to region.
The standard thus acknowledges that these strategies will
reflect the context, the preconditions and the priorities
and needs - not only in the built environment, but also in
the social environment. This social environment includes social
equity, culture, traditions, heritage, health and comfort,
social infrastructure and safe and healthy environments. It
may, in addition - particularly in developing countries -
include poverty reduction and job creation.
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. It costs 96 Swiss francs and is
available from ISO national member institutes (Click
Here).
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