On Wednesday 30 March, the European Commission presented a revision of the Construction Products Regulation (305/2011 – CPR) as part of a package of initiatives related to the circular economy and the update of the industrial strategy.
The aim is to combat the fragmentation of the single market, to introduce sustainability criteria for construction products in order to meet the challenges of the twin green and digital transitions and to promote harmonisation within the single market.
The Construction Products Regulation establishes harmonised rules for the placing of construction products on the European market. To this end, the regulation sets out a series of parameters for measuring the performance of construction products (e.g. fire resistance, sound insulation, etc.) which allow public authorities and consumers to compare the properties of products through a consistent and reliable framework.
This revision of the CPR is closely linked to the proposed ecodesign regulation, presented on the same day (see other news), which provides a general framework. It is “in addition” to the latter in order to specify the criteria for construction products.
The scope of the legislation is broad. It will cover construction products, but also products and services related to 3D printing, parts or materials if requested by the manufacturer, kits or assemblies covered by harmonised technical specifications and prefabricated one-family houses (Article 2). The aim, the Commission asserts, is to strengthen the competitiveness of the European construction sector.
In concrete terms, once the future rules are implemented, the industry will have to design and manufacture a construction product, as well as its packaging, in compliance with the environmental standards set, always giving preference to recycled and recyclable materials. It should improve the reuse and remanufacturing of products and also provide instructions for use and repair in product databases.
Standardisation, the cornerstone of the proposal
Standardisation is at the core of the Commission’s proposal, in line with the recent European standardisation strategy (see EUROPE 12882/3). Here, the institution wants to improve the existing European process for developing harmonised standards for construction products. It notes the low number of new standards cited in recent years, mainly due to outdated requirements and demands for standards.
The European Commission is therefore introducing a series of tools aimed at unblocking this situation of normative sluggishness by seeking to reduce national barriers to the trade and circulation of construction products, as well as by strengthening enforcement and market surveillance. The Commission intends to intervene here if standards are not of sufficient “quality” or are not provided in time for the market.
In this context, the European institution is working with Member States and industry to review outdated standardisation requirements and the acquis as part of the ‘Construction Products Regulation Acquis Process’. Launched in 2020 (see EUROPE 12583/20), this forum addresses harmonised standards, European assessment documents and legal acts of the European Commission, in cooperation with Member States, industry and other stakeholders.
A series of consultations will be launched shortly, said Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton.
See the regulation proposal: https://aeur.eu/f/119 (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)