DIN SPEC 91606:2026-07

DIN SPEC 91606 sets out the methodological principles for the applied life cycle assessment of buildings. The document sets out the data sources, accounting rules and requirements to be taken into account when preparing a building life cycle assessment and a life cycle analysis (LCA) of buildings.

The specification establishes a uniform framework for assessing environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle of a structure – from construction through the operational phase to demolition and potential uses at the end of its life.

What does DIN SPEC 91606 cover?

The specification establishes a uniform framework for assessing environmental impacts throughout the entire life cycle of a structure. These include:

• Data sources for life cycle assessment in the construction sector
• Definition of system and boundary conditions
• Rules for recording energy and material flows
• Life-cycle modules from manufacture to dismantling
• Environmental indicators and how they are calculated
• Presentation of results and documentation
• Requirements for assumptions, scenarios and data quality
• Application in new builds, existing buildings as well as refurbishments and modernisation projects

Why is the application of the specification technically relevant?

The assessment of the environmental impacts of buildings is becoming increasingly important both in the planning phase and during operation. To ensure that results are reliable and comparable between projects, a uniform methodology is required. DIN SPEC 91606 establishes a common framework for this purpose and reduces room for interpretation when carrying out life-cycle analyses.

Applying this specification helps organizations document sustainability assessments transparently and to base them on consistent data. This can be important, for example, in the context of certification, grant applications, tenders, investment decisions or internal sustainability strategies. Furthermore, a standardized approach facilitates the exchange of results between designers, clients, manufacturers, testing bodies and software providers.

Who is DIN SPEC 91606 intended for?

• Architecture firms and technical system planners
• Engineering and consultancy firms
• Clients and project developers
• Manufacturers and suppliers of construction products
• Sustainability and ESG managers
• Testing, auditing and certification bodies
• Software providers for life cycle assessment and building evaluation
• Researchers and teaching and educational institutions in the construction sector
• Public procurement and funding bodies

Summary

DIN SPEC 91606 provides a structured framework for the life-cycle assessment of buildings throughout their entire existence. It defines data sources, calculation rules and requirements for the presentation of results, thereby supporting a transparent and comparable sustainability assessment in the construction sector.