IFC Implementation: The Future of Interoperability in the Construction Sector

The adoption of IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is rapidly transforming the construction sector, providing an open and standardized solution for interoperability among different tools, teams, and systems. This format allows for the sharing of structured data at every stage of the project lifecycle, promoting efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.

In a context where digitalization and data integration are increasingly crucial, IFC represents the key to improving collaboration and the quality of construction projects on a global scale. To take your projects to a new level of interoperability and superior innovation, discover the openBIM solutions from ACCA software, certified IFC by buildingSMART International, which can support you in importing and exporting IFC files, centralizing data, and making it accessible to all stakeholders without compatibility limitations.

In this article, we delve into the importance of IFC, its advantages, and the challenges related to its implementation, offering insights into the progress of international regulations and opportunities for optimization and innovation for all industry players.

IFC Standard

What is IFC and why is it important?

The IFC is an open and neutral format that allows for the sharing of building models and data related to the lifecycle of construction projects, making integration between different tools and teams possible. This approach is essential for improving efficiency and transparency in construction projects, leading to benefits in productivity and error reduction.

The IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an open standard developed by buildingSMART International to ensure interoperability between different BIM software used in the design, construction, and management phases of buildings.

Unlike proprietary formats, IFC allows the exchange of structured and coherent data between different platforms, ensuring that every stakeholder (architect, engineer, builder, or facility manager) can access the same information without data loss.

In an increasingly digitalized sector, the adoption of IFC represents a milestone towards integrated collaboration, transparency, and traceability of the entire lifecycle of the project. This standard indeed allows the project to be detached from a single software, preserving the quality and completeness of information, even after years.

From design to asset management: a common language

IFC serves as a universal language in the BIM world, allowing for the precise description of construction elements, systems, materials, and spatial relationships. From architectural modeling to asset management, the IFC format ensures informational continuity throughout the building’s lifecycle. Thanks to this approach, the information generated during the design phase can also be used in the maintenance and management phase of the project, reducing errors, data duplications, and coordination times. Essentially, IFC is not just a file format but a digital bridge between disciplines and operational phases, promoting a truly integrated approach to the project.

Advantages of adopting IFC

The adoption of IFC presents fundamental advantages that are driving more and more governments and organizations to implement it in their projects:

• greater efficiency and productivity: using the IFC standard helps reduce design errors and delivery times, fostering smoother collaboration. For example, in Spain, the government expects to save between 10% and 20% of project costs thanks to the adoption of IFC in public projects​;
• better asset management: IFC allows for structuring data for the management of the entire lifecycle of the building, facilitating maintenance and improving long-term management effectiveness​;
• sustainability: the standard facilitates lifecycle analyses and the adoption of sustainable practices, providing a useful tool for assessing the environmental impact of projects​;
• interoperability and vendor independence: being an open format, IFC allows avoiding the lock-in to specific software, ensuring freedom of choice and greater competitiveness​.

IFC adoption advantages and challenges

Differences between IFC2x3, IFC4, and the future IFC5

The different versions of IFC represent the continuous evolution of the standard towards better interoperability, semantic accuracy, and integration of BIM processes.

The IFC2x3, published in 2006, was the first widely adopted format at the international level and laid the foundations for data sharing in Building Information Modeling. It is compatible with most BIM software and robustly supports the description of architectural and structural elements (IfcWall, IfcBeam, IfcColumn, etc.). However, it shows limitations in representing complex MEP systems, defining advanced spatial relationships, and managing data related to the building’s lifecycle. Additionally, IFC2x3 does not allow for an extensive classification of properties and presents an information model less suited to the needs of Facility Management or Digital Twin.

With the introduction of IFC4 (officially released in 2013 and updated with the versions IFC4 Add2, Add2 TC1, and IFC4.3), the standard made a significant leap forward. IFC4 offers greater data consistency, an expanded semantic vocabulary, and a richer schema model capable of managing geometric and non-geometric information more accurately. Support for MEP disciplines (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) and for construction, maintenance, and operational management phases has been improved. IFC4 also includes better parametric representation, supports more flexible units of measurement, and introduces new entities for describing materials and energy performance. Furthermore, with extended support for the IFC XML and IFC JSON formats, it facilitates data exchange with web systems and cloud platforms.

Looking to the future, IFC5 (currently under development by buildingSMART International) promises to be a conceptual revolution. It will be designed to interact natively with Digital Twins, integrating with GIS, IoT, and real-time sensors. The main goal is to create a digital ecosystem where information is no longer static but dynamic and constantly updated. IFC5 will introduce a more modular data model, based on linked data and ontologies, to enable seamless integration between infrastructure, buildings, and territory. Additionally, it will be optimized for managing linear infrastructures (roads, railways, water networks) and for interoperability with other standards such as CityGML and LandInfra, paving the way for a fully integrated BIM with the urban and territorial environment.

Challenges and obstacles to the implementation of IFC

Despite the obvious advantages in terms of interoperability and data transparency, the adoption of IFC still faces various operational, cultural, and technological challenges today.

Many organizations in the construction and real estate management sectors struggle to fully integrate openBIM processes into their workflows, primarily due to a lack of specialized skills, significant initial investments, and market software fragmentation.

Understanding and addressing these barriers is essential to facilitate an effective transition towards a truly interoperable digital ecosystem.

Training and necessary skills

One of the main obstacles to the adoption of IFC is the lack of specific technical skills related to data management and BIM modeling according to the openBIM standard. It is not enough to know how to use a modeling software: it is necessary to understand the structure of the IFC model, the classifications of entities (such as IfcWall, IfcDoor, IfcSpace, etc.), and the logic of property mapping (Property Sets). Professionals must be able to correctly interpret the information contained in the IFC file and manage the import/export flows between different software, avoiding data loss or semantic inconsistencies.

For this reason, BIM-oriented training (which includes modules dedicated to IFC, interoperability, openBIM standards, and data management) is now essential not only for modelers but also for BIM Managers, Coordinators, and Information Managers.

In the future, skills related to IFC will become a fundamental requirement for the quality and certification of BIM processes at the corporate level.

Initial costs and cultural resistance

Another critical factor is represented by the initial implementation costs and cultural resistance to change. The adoption of IFC often involves revising workflows, updating the software portfolio, and investing in staff training. However, many companies and professional firms struggle to perceive an immediate economic return, underestimating the long-term benefits related to standardization and the reduction of communication errors between disciplines.

In addition, there is a certain cultural inertia: the use of proprietary formats and traditional methodologies is still very widespread, especially in small firms, where the adoption of open standards is perceived as complex or unnecessary. Overcoming these barriers requires a change in mindset, promoting a culture of digital collaboration and data transparency.

Certified openBIM tools and software

The availability of compatible and IFC certified software is a key element to ensure effective adoption of the standard. buildingSMART International issues official certifications to verify that a software correctly manages IFC files in import and export, ensuring data consistency and fidelity.

Today, many leading market tools (such as Revit, Archicad, Edificius, usBIM) fully support the openBIM standard and offer advanced functions for the validation and control of IFC models. However, it is essential that professionals always verify the version of IFC supported (IFC2x3, IFC4, etc.) and are aware of the limitations or differences in mapping between various software.
At the same time, openBIM cloud platforms are emerging that allow for the management, visualization, and sharing of IFC models in real-time, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and data centralization. These tools represent the foundation for a future where data neutrality will guarantee interoperability and informational continuity throughout the entire lifecycle of the work.

Geospatial management of IFC models

The Adoption of IFC Worldwide: Regulations and Government Policies

Many governments are actively promoting the adoption of IFC as part of a digital transformation strategy for the construction sector. Below are some examples taken from “Global IFC Mandates- 2024 Edition – A playbook of IFC Mandates from around the world” of countries that have implemented specific regulations for the use of IFC.

Australia: The Push from Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW)

In Australia, the government transport agency Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) has mandatorily introduced IFC within its Digital Engineering Framework. This means that:

• all new road and rail infrastructure projects must be delivered in IFC format, with customized attributes from TfNSW;
• the agency has established training courses to ensure that staff and suppliers can produce consistent and high-quality IFC files.

TfNSW has found in IFC a way to federate design data, achieve scalable data management, and simplify validation rules, with a single set of standards allowing for greater flexibility in supplier choice​.

China: The SZ-IFC Standard and Shenzhen Policies

In China, the adoption of the IFC standard has been integrated at both national and local levels. Since 2012, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has initiated the creation of national BIM standards, which include the BIM Storage Standard (GB/T·51447-2021), based on IFC.

At the local level, Shenzhen has developed the Shenzhen BIM Storage Standard (SZ-IFC), made mandatory for new construction projects with:

• investments exceeding 10 million yuan or areas exceeding 1,000 square meters;
• submission of BIM models in SZ-IFC format at various approval stages, including planning, construction, and final acceptance.

This policy aims to centralize and standardize construction data, improving transparency and regulatory efficiency in rapidly developing Chinese cities​.

Czech Republic: IFC as a Standard in Procurement

The Czech Republic has made IFC one of the most requested file formats in construction projects, especially in infrastructure and public sectors. The new national standard supports the use of IFC as a central element for:

• improving communication among parties involved in projects;
• ensuring accurate and reliable information about the properties of construction elements.

In this context, IFC has become a standard in Common Data Environment (CDE), collaborative platforms used as a basic requirement in public procurement​.

Denmark: ICT Regulations 118 and 119 for Public Projects

Denmark has adopted a progressive policy for the digitalization of the construction sector. The national ICT regulations 118 and 119, which came into effect in February 2023, mandate the use of IFC for all publicly funded projects, including public residential construction. Construction models must be provided in IFC format at the following stages:

• procurement;
• design, execution, and final delivery.

The Danish Building Agency has noted that the adoption of IFC has led to a 45% improvement in design quality compared to projects without open standards. These regulations demonstrate how Denmark is promoting the long-term usability of data through the adoption of open standards​.

Japan: Experimentation with BIM-Based Drawing Check

Japan, through its Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), has planned for 2025 an experiment to verify the use of IFC in building code checks, introducing a new digital process that includes:

• the submission of IFC data and 2D PDF drawings to verify building codes;
• the elimination of manual checks on drawings, thus reducing verification times.

By 2027, the goal is to implement this methodology nationwide, facilitating automation and increasing the efficiency of building checks​.

Poland: The Start of a National Strategy for IFC

In Poland, the use of IFC is becoming common in procurement, both public and commercial, although there are no specific regulations governing its use. The Ministry of Development and Technology has established a BIM working group that is developing a national strategy.

In December 2023, the Polish Chamber of Civil Engineers approved a plan recognizing IFC as complete construction documentation in building procedures. This represents a significant step towards the adoption of open standards to improve transparency and collaboration in the Polish construction sector​.

Singapore: CORENET X and OpenBIM for the Construction Sector

In Singapore, the CORENET X initiative, a submission platform for the construction sector, requires the use of IFC models for all large projects, with a gross area exceeding 5,000 square meters. This system, mandatory since 2015, aims to:

• facilitate regulatory review with a single open format;
• promote collaboration and transparency between regulatory agencies and the private sector.

CORENET X represents one of the most advanced platforms for digitalization in the construction sector, leveraging IFC to support more efficient regulatory approval processes​.

Spain and Catalonia: Adoption of BIM Based on IFC

Spain has adopted the mandatory use of IFC in public contracts, introducing a progressive plan from 2024 to 2030. This implementation applies to:

• all public procurements above a certain threshold;
• five increasing levels of BIM implementation.

In Catalonia, the Catalan government has extended the IFC requirement to public contracts for construction and infrastructure projects valued over 2 million euros. This updated plan from 2018 aims to improve quality and consistency in managing project data and ensure technological independence in construction processes​.

United States: The GSA’s Push for IFC and Construction Digitalization

In the United States, the General Services Administration (GSA) requires the use of IFC for all projects, supporting the lifecycle management of buildings through advanced technologies such as 3D and 4D BIM. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has also recommended the adoption of the IFC schema for electronic engineering data exchange, urging agencies to participate in buildingSMART International to further develop the schema​.

South Korea: The Progressive Adoption of IFC in Public and Private Projects

In South Korea, there is no national legislation mandating IFC or BIM, but the government has issued guidelines recommending the adoption of these standards for large public projects. Various agencies, such as the Public Procurement Service (PPS) and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), require the use of IFC for all their public projects, and starting in 2024, BIM will be mandatory for private projects with areas exceeding 10,000 m²​.

Impact of IFC on Design Quality and Asset Management

The adoption of IFC not only facilitates collaboration but significantly increases project quality and asset management efficiency:

• design quality: in Denmark, the use of IFC has contributed to a 45% increase in design quality, thanks to the ability to standardize and verify information more accurately​;
• efficient asset management: IFC allows for maintaining a detailed digital record of assets, making it easier to manage maintenance and technical information, with benefits extending throughout the building’s lifecycle​.

The Future of IFC and the Evolution of Building Regulations

The global adoption of IFC is constantly growing, directly influencing the evolution of building regulations. Many countries are integrating the IFC standard into their construction regulations to increase transparency and promote more sustainable practices.

The influence of IFC is particularly evident in the digitalization of the sector, with a growing impact on the development of smart cities and digital twins, two innovations that greatly benefit from the standardization and interoperability offered by IFC​.

The adoption of the IFC standard represents a fundamental step towards the modernization of the construction sector. With governments and major regulatory agencies committed to integrating the standard into their regulations, IFC is set to transform the way building projects are planned, executed, and maintained.

The standardization and interoperability offered by IFC prove essential for enabling a smooth and reliable data flow among all actors in the process, regardless of the software used.

The global adoption of IFC is constantly growing, directly influencing the evolution of building regulations. More and more countries are integrating the IFC standard into their regulations, aiming to improve transparency, foster collaboration among professionals, and promote more sustainable and efficient practices throughout the entire lifecycle of constructions.

Towards Smart Cities and Digital Twins

The influence of IFC is particularly evident in the digitalization of the construction sector. Thanks to the standardization and interoperability of data, the IFC standard supports the development of smart cities and digital twins, two innovations that require consistent, up-to-date, and easily shareable information across different platforms. In this context, IFC enables the connection of design, construction, and operational management of buildings with urban systems, facilitating predictive analysis, energy simulations, and preventive maintenance.

OpenBIM as a Global Standard

The adoption of the IFC standard represents a fundamental step towards the modernization of the construction sector. The standardization and interoperability offered by IFC allow for a smooth and reliable data flow among all project actors, regardless of the software used. Among the leaders of this transformation, ACCA software stands out for developing open BIM solutions, offering the largest number of IFC certified software in the world and the first openBIM platform certified by buildingSMART, an integrated system for the digital management of buildings and infrastructures.
Adopting openBIM solutions means making projects accessible and interoperable, centralizing data and ensuring collaboration among all stakeholders without compatibility constraints, improving efficiency, sustainability, and quality of the construction process.

Why Choose buildingSMART Certified Solutions

Choosing buildingSMART certified tools means relying on tested software that complies with IFC standards, capable of ensuring consistency, accuracy, and continuity of data throughout all design and operational phases. Certified platforms allow you to:

• import and export IFC files without loss of information;
• work in integrated openBIM environments, where all professionals can access the same data;
• improve multidisciplinary collaboration and efficient project management;
• leverage the potential of digital twins and predictive analysis.

Thanks to solutions like those offered by ACCA software, it is possible to adopt a truly open, interoperable, and standardized approach, positioning oneself at the forefront of the digital transformation of the construction sector, with the first openBIM platform certified by buildingSMART, a complete and integrated system for the digital management of constructions and infrastructures.

FAQ on the Adoption of IFC

What is IFC and why is it essential for the construction sector?

IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an open and neutral format developed by buildingSMART International to ensure interoperability among different BIM software. It allows sharing building models and data related to the lifecycle of projects, fostering collaboration among different tools and teams. Unlike proprietary formats, IFC ensures the exchange of consistent data across different platforms, improving efficiency, transparency, and quality of building projects.

What are the differences between IFC2x3, IFC4, and the future IFC5?

IFC2x3, published in 2006, was the first widely adopted format, useful for architectural and structural elements but limited for MEP and Facility Management. IFC4, introduced in 2013, improves data consistency, expands the semantic vocabulary, and better supports MEP disciplines, maintenance phases, and parametric representation. The future IFC5, currently in development, will be designed to integrate natively with Digital Twin, GIS, and IoT, offering a modular and dynamic model suitable for linear infrastructures and urban interoperability.

What are the main advantages of adopting the IFC standard?

Adopting IFC offers greater efficiency and productivity by reducing errors and delivery times, better asset management throughout the entire lifecycle of the building, promotes sustainability through lifecycle analysis and the use of eco-friendly practices, and ensures interoperability and independence from vendors thanks to the open format. In Spain, for example, the use of IFC in public projects allows for savings of up to 20% in project costs.

What are the main challenges and obstacles to implementing IFC?

The main challenges involve the lack of specific technical skills, initial implementation costs, and cultural resistance to change. Many companies do not have staff trained in managing IFC data, and the investment in training and software updates can seem burdensome. However, overcoming these barriers is essential to ensure interoperability, efficiency, and collaboration in the long term.

What skills are needed to work with IFC?

It is necessary to understand the structure of IFC files, the entities (IfcWall, IfcDoor, IfcSpace, etc.) and the Property Sets, as well as to manage correctly the import and export flows between different software. OpenBIM skills are now essential for modelers, BIM Managers, and Information Managers. Training focused on data management and IFC standardization is crucial to ensure quality and interoperability in projects.

What are the main certified openBIM tools and software?

Among the main IFC certified software by buildingSMART are Revit, Archicad, Edificius, and usBIM. These tools ensure proper management of IFC files in import and export. Additionally, openBIM cloud platforms allow for real-time visualization, sharing, and coordination of IFC models, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and data centralization for more efficient project management.

How is the IFC standard adopted in Europe?

In Europe, the Czech Republic has made IFC a standard in Common Data Environments for public tenders; Denmark requires it for all projects funded with public funds through ICT regulations 118 and 119; Poland has introduced national guidelines encouraging the use of IFC in infrastructure and public projects; while Spain promotes it through the National Plan for the Digitalization of the Construction Sector, making it mandatory in various regions for public construction.

What is the impact of IFC on the quality of design and asset management?

The adoption of IFC improves the quality of design and the efficiency of asset management. In Denmark, for example, design quality has increased by 45% thanks to the use of IFC. The standard allows for maintaining a detailed digital record of assets, facilitating maintenance, technical management, and continuous updating of information throughout the lifecycle of the building.

What is the role of IFC in the development of smart cities and digital twins?

IFC represents a key element for urban digitalization. Thanks to the standardization and interoperability of data, it allows connecting design, construction, and operational management with urban systems, supporting the development of smart cities and digital twins. This enables energy simulations, predictive analysis, and preventive maintenance based on consistent and up-to-date data.

Why choose buildingSMART certified solutions like those from ACCA software?

BuildingSMART certified solutions ensure compliance with IFC standards, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and continuity of data. ACCA software offers the largest number of IFC certified software in the world and the first buildingSMART certified openBIM platform, which allows for importing and exporting files without loss of information, collaborating in integrated openBIM environments, and leveraging digital twins and predictive analysis for efficient project management.