ASTM E3153-25

1.1 This practice covers the principles and procedures for developing multi-attribute sustainability standards for building products. A multi-attribute sustainability standard identifies and incorporates a broad range of criteria throughout all phases of a product’s lifecycle and establishes minimum thresholds for conformance. The purpose of such a standard is to facilitate the reduction of social, economic, and environmental negative impacts by setting forth product requirements which are effective, verifiable, industry-relevant, and consistent for all products within a category. A multi-attribute sustainability standard is intended to be used for product certification, specification, or communication of environmental preferability, or a combination thereof, stimulating the potential for market-driven continuous improvement. This practice is intended to standardize multi-attribute sustainability standards for building products, provide a common framework, and consistently address sustainability attributes that are most relevant to the built environment.

1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

4.1 Several industry-developed standards and specifications exist, or are being developed for characterizing building products, based on a range of environmental and social threshold criteria for products throughout different life-cycle stages of production, construction, use, and end of life. Commonly referred to as multi-attribute sustainability standards, these standards are relevant to building products and are intended to be referenced by green building standards, codes, rating systems, and purchasing programs.

4.2 Developers of green building standards, codes, rating systems, and purchasing programs may use this practice as a standard for standards, or a means to develop multi-attribute sustainability standards for building products.

4.3 Developers of multi-attribute sustainability standards for building products may use this practice as a blueprint for future revisions to existing standards, or for the creation of new standards.

4.4 Additional information on the significance and use of this practice may be inferred through review of multi-attribute sustainability standards for building products currently established in today’s marketplace or by reading “Whole Building Design Guide Overview of Sustainability Assessment Standards.”5