Sustainable transition demands regulatory coherence in construction. The sector relies on materials such as steel and cement, which account for a large share of emissions. Avoiding duplication between new labels and existing standards, key to ensuring sustainable buildings without driving up costs.
The European Commission’s proposal for the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) aims to promote industrial materials with a low carbon footprint, but it poses challenges for building if not aligned with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and standards such as EN15804. Today, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are essential for assessing the climate impact of materials used in buildings. Introducing green labels without compatibility with these tools could fragment the market and create confusion.
The building sector, responsible for significant emissions from material production, supports the sustainable transition. However, initiatives such as a specific label for green steel raise concerns: they could increase costs and delay projects without guaranteeing real decarbonisation benefits. This is especially critical in the context of Europe’s housing crisis, where affordability is key. Industry organisations call for the CPR to remain the main legal framework or for an exemption for construction within the IAA. The priority is to ensure coherent rules that reduce emissions without compromising the economic viability of building projects.
