UNE-EN 15804:2012+A2: analysis of the stabilisation of environmental impacts in environmental product declarations. Case of mass concrete

Abstract

In the framework of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) [1], Member States develop their roadmaps based on two methodological pillars: life cycle assessment (LCA) and integration of environmental data of construction products. UNE-EN 15978:2012 [2] defines the environmental assessment criteria at building level, while UNE-EN 15804:2012+A2:2020/AC: 2021 [3] establishes the product category rules (PCR) for environmental product declarations (EPD). At the product level, the new version of the standard expands the number of impact categories that the EPD can provide some basic (which must be included in the EPD) and others additional (not mandatory). This research focused on the analysis of the EPD of mass concrete, due to its significant influence on the overall result of the analysis, attributed to its high relative weight in the set of materials used in buildings. EPDs from different sources were analysed according to the two versions of the standard, as well as the stability of the indicators. The study shows a convergence in GWP-total stages A1-A3, which reinforces its reliability as the first mandatory parameter towards decarbonisation in 2050. A comparison of thirteen DAPs shows emissions for stage A1-3 of 270.9 Kg CO2 eq. /m3. In contrast, the remaining impacts show high variability, with increases in many cases exceeding 100%, suggesting that their stability requires further parameterisation.