Overview
ISO 13315-2:2025 - Environmental management for concrete and concrete structures - Part 2: System boundary and inventory data provides a structured framework for defining system boundaries and collecting life cycle inventory (LCI) data when performing life cycle assessment (LCA) of concrete, precast concrete and concrete structures. Intended to be used alongside ISO 14040, ISO 14044, ISO 21930 and ISO 21931 series, this second edition refines data requirements and explicitly addresses topics such as CO2 absorption by concrete and additional materials/work stages.
Keywords: ISO 13315-2, system boundary, inventory data, LCA for concrete, life cycle inventory, environmental management, concrete structures.
Key technical topics and requirements
- System boundary definition: Rules to demarcate the assessment scope so comparisons are consistent across alternatives. Emphasis on maintaining the same boundary for comparative LCAs.
- Constituent materials: Inventory categories and data needs for cement, additions, admixtures, aggregates and other materials.
- Reinforcement and formwork: Data requirements for reinforcing/prestressing steel, formwork, falsework and construction machinery.
- Production and execution stages: Inventory data for concrete production, precast manufacturing, on-site concreting, earthworks, and construction activities.
- Use and end-of-life phases: Inputs/outputs for operation, maintenance, demolition, intermediate treatment and final disposal, including waste and emissions accounting.
- Inventory data principles: Guidance on unit-based inventory data, inputs (resources, energy, materials), outputs (products, by-products, emissions, wastes) and the data collection boundary.
- Critical review and data storage: Requirements for documenting, reviewing and storing LCI data for transparency and reproducibility.
- Conformity rules: Where deviations occur between referenced environmental standards, ISO 13315-2:2025 takes precedence for concrete-related assessments.
Practical applications
- Perform consistent LCAs of concrete mixes, precast elements and full structures for environmental impact comparison.
- Prepare environmental product declarations (EPDs) or Type III declarations for concrete products.
- Support design optimization and material selection to reduce embodied carbon and resource use.
- Inform sustainable procurement, regulatory compliance and infrastructure lifecycle planning.
- Provide standardized inventory data for sustainability consultants, LCA practitioners and researchers.
Who should use this standard
- Structural and civil engineers, precast manufacturers, concrete suppliers
- LCA practitioners, environmental consultants and sustainability teams
- Architects, infrastructure owners, contractors and procurement authorities
- Standards bodies and policymakers working on construction-sector environmental policy
Related standards
ISO 13315-2:2025 is a practical reference for anyone needing robust, comparable life cycle inventory data and system boundary rules specific to concrete and concrete structures.
Open preview (PDF)Environmental management for concrete and concrete structures — Part 2: System boundary and inventory data
