ISO 22965-1:2007

Overview - What ISO 22965-1:2007 covers

ISO 22965-1:2007, "Concrete - Part 1: Methods of specifying and guidance for the specifier", provides a framework for specifying concrete used in buildings and civil engineering structures. It applies to in-situ, site-mixed, ready‑mixed and pre-cast structural concrete of normal-weight, heavy‑weight and light‑weight types that are compacted to retain no appreciable entrapped air (entrained air is permitted). The standard sets out terminology, specification methods, and guidance on the exchange of information between the specifier and the supplier. It excludes mortar (max aggregate ≤ 4–5 mm), aerated/foamed/no‑fine aggregate concrete, refractory concrete, concrete with density < 800 kg/m3 and health & safety requirements.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Concrete specification: Defines what constitutes a complete concrete specification - technical requirements necessary to produce and deliver concrete, including properties, classes and additional characteristics.
• Exposure, consistence and strength classes: Provides guidance (informative Annex A) on selecting exposure classes, consistence (workability) classes and characteristic strength classes appropriate to project conditions.
• Exchange of information: Rules for communication between specifier and supplier so contractual and technical requirements are passed correctly through the procurement chain.
• Materials and composition: Framework for use of cement, aggregates, additions and admixtures (references to relevant material standards are required or to national provisions where international standards do not exist).
• Testing and compliance: References to sampling, making and curing test specimens and strength testing (ISO 1920 series). Annex C (normative) covers identity testing for compressive strength.
• Performance and durability: Informative Annex B discusses performance-related design methods for durability and notes the current limitations of a fully performance-based approach at international level.
• National annexes: The standard is intended to be used with a national annex or complementary provisions that set local values and deviations where needed (Annex D guidance).

Applications - Who uses ISO 22965-1

• Specifiers (clients, designers, consultants) preparing concrete specifications for projects.
• Suppliers and producers of ready‑mixed and pre-cast concrete using the specification to produce compliant concrete.
• Contractors, precast manufacturers and quality engineers ensuring delivered concrete meets project requirements.
• Standards bodies and regulators developing national annexes or adopting the framework into national concrete standards.

Related standards

• ISO 22965-2:2007 - specification of constituent materials, production and compliance
• ISO 1920 series - testing of concrete (sampling, making/curing specimens, strength)
• National annexes and regional standards for local materials, durability criteria and performance-based methods

Keywords: ISO 22965-1, concrete specification, specifier, ready‑mixed concrete, pre-cast concrete, exposure classes, compressive strength, durability, national annex.