Concrete is the most popular and widely used construction material due to its relatively low cost, versatility, and adaptability. Recent past experiences show that the reinforced concrete (RC) structures deteriorating prior to the expected service life when exposing to aggressive chloride or carbonation‐induced environments. This is because of the general assumption that if the strength criteria are satisfactory, the concrete would be sufficiently durable. This assumption does not take into account the variability in concrete resulting from the actual concreting practices, such as placement, consolidation, finishing, and curing. In other words, concrete in the specimens cast for compressive strength bear little resemblance to the concrete in the actual structure. This paper presents a detailed review on the developments that are taking place globally toward the performance‐based specifications for achieving the long‐term durability of RC structures. Also, based on the in‐house experimental studies and available knowledge, a durability performance criterion is suggested for structures exposed to chloride or carbonation‐induced environments toward enhancing the service life.