What ISO 21930 covers
ISO 21930 is the international counterpart to EN 15804 — a core PCR for construction products and services, sitting below ISO 14025 in the standards hierarchy. It defines the same kind of shared structure EN 15804 does: life-cycle modules, required impact categories, and reporting format, so that construction-product EPDs written under it are structurally comparable regardless of the specific product-level PCR used.
Life-cycle modules and impact categories
ISO 21930 uses the same A1–A5, B1–B7, C1–C4, and Module D life-cycle breakdown as EN 15804 (see From LCA to EPD for what each module covers), and requires reporting of core environmental impact categories including global warming potential, ozone depletion, acidification, eutrophication, and photochemical ozone creation, among others.
Relationship to EN 15804
The two standards were developed with the intent of being compatible, and the current editions of both are closely aligned in structure. They aren't identical — differences exist in some required indicators and specific reporting requirements — which is why many EPDs, particularly from manufacturers selling into both European and North American markets, are explicitly written to satisfy both standards at once.
Who this applies to
Manufacturers publishing construction-product EPDs outside Europe — particularly in North America, where ISO 21930 is the standard most commonly referenced by green building certifications like LEED — work within this standard. See Regional & Country Requirements for how specific markets layer additional requirements on top.
Frequently asked questions
Is ISO 21930 the same as EN 15804?
They're closely aligned but not identical — both define core rules for construction-product EPDs, using a compatible life-cycle-module structure, but they're maintained by different bodies (ISO vs. CEN) and have some differences in required indicators and reporting detail. Many EPDs are written to satisfy both simultaneously.
Do North American green building certifications require ISO 21930?
It's the most commonly referenced core standard for construction-product EPDs outside Europe, including in LEED credit requirements, though the specific requirement depends on which certification system and version you're working with — check the current rating system documentation directly.
Can an EPD written under EN 15804 be used where ISO 21930 is required?
Often yes, since the two standards are closely aligned and many EPDs explicitly state compliance with both — but this isn't automatic, and it depends on how the specific EPD was scoped and verified. Check the declaration itself for which standards it claims compliance with.
Sources
- ISO 21930:2017, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works — Core rules for environmental product declarations of construction products and services
- EN 15804:2012+A2:2019, Sustainability of construction works — Environmental product declarations — Core rules for the product category of construction products