The updated Construction Products Regulation - new CPR
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Agreement reached by the European Parliament and Council on the revised Construction Products Regulation
The European Commission celebrates the recent provisional agreement reached by the European Parliament and Council on the revised Construction Products Regulation (CPR), signalling a significant step forward in strengthened regulations aimed at enhancing the Single Market for construction products and advancing the green transition.
The updated Construction Products Regulation (new CPR) represents a modernization of the existing rules established in 2011 (Regulation (EU) No 305/2011), which replaced the longstanding Product Directive (Council Directive 89/106/EEC) from the late eighties. However, the updated Regulation goes beyond mere updates, holding considerable transformative potential.
Manufacturers to take responsibility for the environmental impact
With the updated Regulation, the EU requires manufacturers to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their products, much like they did previously with aspects such as structural resistance, fire resistance, or thermal insulation for marketing them throughout the European Economic Area. This will enable the evaluation of buildings' environmental performance, as mandated by the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). However, requiring an environmental impact assessment for each construction product used in projects will likely lead to a cost increase.
Digitalization of the construction sector
Furthermore, the digitalization of the construction sector is also a cornerstone of the updated Regulation. Digital Product Passports will include safety specifications, instructions of use, and declarations of performance and conformity.
Benefits of the new CPR
The updated Regulation is beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises. It achieves this by minimizing administrative burdens and trade barriers, thereby promoting transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity within the construction industry. Although a public version of the updated Regulation is not yet available, it signifies the beginning of an important transformative process.
Source:
Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, (2023, December 13), The Commission welcomes provisional agreement on the revised Construction Products Regulation, which strengthens the Single Market and supports the green transition. European Commission.