Several key EU regulations directly impact construction companies and building material manufacturers. These regulations address various aspects of sustainability, including energy efficiency, waste management, and environmental impact.
Here’s a quick overview of the top 7 regulations in the construction materials industry. This table indicates who those regulations are for, what they entail, and when to comply.
Download detailed e-book: The Guide to EU Construction Regulations
| Regulation Name | Who it’s for | What it’s About | When to Comply |
| Construction Products Regulation (CPR) | Manufacturers, importers, distributors in construction | Ensures fair play in the EU construction product market with harmonized standards | Fully enforced since 2013
EU agreed to revise CPR in 2023 More updates in 2024 |
| Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) | Exporters from non-EU/EFTA countries to the EU | Imposes carbon levy on certain imported goods from countries with less strict climate policies | May 2023 (adopted)
Jan. 2024 (first report) Jan. 2026 (full implementation) |
| EU Taxonomy | Financial & industrial sectors, construction for acquisition & renovation | Classifies economic activities based on environmental sustainability | Varies by objective (e.g., Climate Change Mitigation – Jan. 2022) |
| Level(s) Framework | Stakeholders in building & construction (architects, designers, etc.) | Voluntary framework for assessing and reporting building sustainability across its life cycle | Launched Oct. 2020 (voluntary) |
| Milieukosten indicator (MKI) & Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) | Stakeholders in building & construction, especially public tenders | Monetary unit for comparing environmental impacts of construction products & projects | MKI: Used since 2004 (Netherlands) |
| Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV) | Consumers & construction companies | Establishes stricter energy efficiency standards and deadlines for new and existing buildings in the EU | Early 2024 (formal adoption)
2025 onwards (implementation) |
| Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) | Various industries (public admin, buildings, businesses, data centers) | Sets increased energy saving targets for EU member states across various sectors | October 2023 (effective), Member States have 2 years to integrate |
- Construction Products Regulation (CPR): This regulation ensures the free movement of construction products while setting minimum safety, health, and environmental requirements. Compliance often involves Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): This regulation aims to reduce the carbon footprint of imported materials. Companies need to be aware of the potential impact on sourcing and production methods.
- EU Taxonomy & Level(s): These frameworks establish standards for sustainable construction practices. Understanding these frameworks is key to ensuring your products meet evolving sustainability criteria.
- Milieu-KostenIndicator (MKI): This Dutch regulation mandates adherence to specific environmental cost indicators for construction products. Demonstrating a low environmental impact can improve your MKI score.
- Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) & Energy Efficiency Directive (EED): These directives focus on building energy efficiency. Construction materials play a crucial role in achieving these goals.
Navigating new regulations and adhering to evolving standards can be a challenge. Ecochain Helix is a powerful software solution designed to streamline this process for construction and building material companies.
However, for a deeper dive into each regulation, including practical advice and implementation strategies, we recommend downloading our exclusive e-book, “The Guide to EU Construction Regulations”. This e-book goes beyond the table above, unpacking each regulation in detail and offering clear steps for compliance.
