Construction Products Regulation: what changes with the new CPR
Find out what’s changing with the new CPR Regulation 2024/3110, which materials will be affected first, and why LCA and EPD are becoming increasingly important in the construction industry.
The new CPR Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 on construction products marks a significant change for the European construction industry.
With the first provisions set to take effect in 2026 and the publication of the CPR Working Plan 2026–2029, it is becoming clearer when and for which materials the new harmonized standards will take effect.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of environmental information based on life cycle assessment (LCA), which will make the availability of environmental data on construction products increasingly important.
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KEY POINTS
The new CPR Regulation 2024/3110 introduces, for the first time, structured environmental requirements for construction materials
The CPR 2026–2029 Working Plan clarifies which product families will be the first to be covered by the new regulatory system
Tools such as LCA and EPD analyses are becoming increasingly important for demonstrating the environmental performance of materials
What is the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR)?
Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 on Construction Products (CPR) introduces significant changes to the marketing of construction materials in the European Union.
It took effect on January 7, 2025, and the first operational provisions took effect onJanuary 8, 2026.
Since it is a European regulation, it does not need to be transposed into national law (as is the case with European directives), but is directly applicable in all Member States.
The new CPR repeals the previous Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011, which governed the CE marking of construction products for over ten years .
LCA and Environmental Requirements in the New CPR
The new regulation introduces a significant change: environmental performance becomes an integral part of the new Declaration of Performance and Conformity (DoPC).
Manufacturers will therefore need to assess the environmental impacts of their products using a life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology.
The environmental requirements of the CPR largely mirror the EN 15804 standard, which is also used for EPD certifications for building materials.
The regulation does not explicitly require an EPD. However, the type of information required makes EPD certification one of the most practical tools for demonstrating compliance with the new environmental requirements.
The New Declaration of Performance and Conformity (DoPC)
One of the main differences from the previous CPR 305/2011 concerns the structure of the declaration that accompanies construction products.
Under the previous system, manufacturers were required to prepare a Declaration of Performance (DoP), which primarily contained technical data regarding the so-called essential characteristics of the product, such as: mechanical strength and stability, reaction to fire, thermal and acoustic performance, air and water permeability, and product durability.
Under the new regulation, the DoP evolves into the Declaration of Performance and Conformity (DoPC).
In addition to technical performance, this declaration must also include information on the product’s environmental sustainability throughout its life cycle, calculated using an LCA analysis.
In practice, the CPR introduces a significant change: the assessment of construction products is no longer based solely on technical performance, but also on the environmental impacts generated throughout the product’s life cycle.
Required Environmental Indicators and Deadlines
The environmental indicators required by the CPR are based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and largely follow the EN 15804 standard, which is also used for EPD certifications of building materials.
The regulation provides for the phased introduction of these indicators to allow companies to gradually adapt to the new system.
The main deadlines are as follows:
- Effective January 8, 2026 → requirement to report on indicators related to the effects of climate change
- Effective January 9, 2030 → introduction of additional environmental impact indicators, including acidification, eutrophication, resource consumption, and water use
- Effective January 9, 2032 → introduction of indicators related to impacts on human health, biodiversity, and ecosystems
This phased approach reflects the growing importance of environmental data in the construction sector and reinforces the role of tools such as LCA assessment and EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) in communicating the environmental performance of materials in a standardized manner.
The Digital Passport for Construction Products
Another important change introduced by the new CPR is the Digital Passport for Construction Products.
It is a digital system that collects key information about materials placed on the European market, making it easily accessible throughout the construction supply chain.
The digital passport will include, among other things:
- the Declaration of Performance and Conformity (DoPC)
- Technical Product Information
- Instructions for Use and Safety Information
- Technical and Environmental Documentation
Each product will be identified by a unique code, and the information must remain accessible for at least 25 years.
This system is designed to be compatible with digital tools such as BIM (Building Information Modeling) and is part of the same digitization process outlined in the Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR), which introduces the digital passport for numerous product categories.
See also: Digital Product Passport (DPP): Everything You Need to Know
How the regulation is implemented
The CPR is not a technical standard for construction products; rather, it is more accurately described as an “umbrella standard” that establishes general principles, safety requirements, environmental requirements, and the performance declaration system.
However, in order for it to be applied in practice to a specific product family, there must be so-called harmonized European standards for a specific product category (for example, cement).
In December 2025, a calendar was published setting out the expected timeline for the publication of harmonized standards, namely the CPR Working Plan 2026–2029.
The CPR Work Plan for 2026–2029
To understand which materials will be affected first by the new system, it is helpful to look at the CPR Working Plan 2026–2029 published by the European Commission.
This document does not introduce any new direct obligations, but it provides a timeline that makes it possible to understand which product families will be the first to be included in the development of the new harmonized standards.
Which products will be the first to be affected?
The CPR Working Plan 2026–2029 published by the European Commission provides insight into which product families will be the first to be included in the development of the new harmonized standards required by the regulation. For each product family, it specifies:
- when the Commission calls for the development of harmonized standards
- when these regulations are to be submitted
- when they become mandatory through a delegated act of the European Commission
Below are the main product families, listed in order of the expected date of implementation of the new regulations.
Cements, lime, and other hydraulic binders
(Family No. 15 – Annex VII of the CPR)
This is the first product family for which the new CPR is expected to take effect. According to the Work Plan:
- Standardization request → Q3 2025
- Adoption of harmonized standards → Q3 2027
- Regulation made mandatory by a delegated act → Q4 2027
So we’re looking at the end of 2027 for the new regulations for this product family to take effect. However, many companies in the cement industry are already beginning to prepare by conducting LCA analyses of their products—both to ensure they are ready to meet future regulatory requirements and to strengthen the competitiveness of their materials in a market increasingly focused on sustainability.
The plan also calls for:
- Q1 2026 → Request for European assessment documents for innovative cements and alkali-activated cements
- Q4 2027 → Request for a standard on alkali-activated cement
Given the environmental impact of cement production, it is likely that this industry will be among the first in which environmental indicators based on LCA analysis will become central.
Fireplaces, Chimney Flues, and Specialized Products
(Family No. 6 – Annex VII of the CPR)
For this family, the Working Plan calls for:
- Standardization request → Q3 2026
- Submission of harmonized standards → 2028
- regulation to become mandatory → 2028
Freestanding fireplaces are excluded.
Flat, profiled, and block glass products
(Family No. 30 – Annex VII of the CPR)
The planned schedule is as follows:
- Standardization request → Q1 2026
- Submission of standards → 2028
- delegated act on product requirements → 2028
- regulation to become mandatory → 2029
For this product family , certain product requirements have already been identified and will be defined by delegated act.
Doors, windows, window shades, gates, and related products
(Family No. 2 – Annex VII of the CPR)
For this product family, the Working Plan calls for:
- Standardization request → Q1 2026
- Submission of standards → 2028
- regulation to become mandatory → 2029
- delegated act on product requirements → 2029
The requirements that could be established by delegated act include, for example, those relating to escape routes in buildings.
Steel for Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete
(Family No. 16 – Annex VII to the CPR)
The planned schedule is as follows:
- Standardization request → Q2 2026
- Submission of harmonized standards → 2029
- regulation to become mandatory → 2029
- delegated act on product requirements → 2029
Thermal Insulation Products and Composite Insulation Systems
(Family No. 4 – Annex VII of the CPR)
For this category, the plan calls for:
- Standardization request → Q3 2026
- Adoption of the standards → 2029
- regulation to become mandatory → 2029
The adoption of the delegated act on product requirements is still under discussion.
What Does This Mean for Companies in the Construction Industry?
The timeline set out in the Work Plan clearly shows that, over the next few years, most of the major building materials supply chains will gradually transition to the new CPR system.
This system will require an increasing amount of environmental data on products based on life cycle assessment (LCA), which must be included in the declaration of performance and conformity.
In this context, tools such as theLCA analysis of materials and EPD certification are becoming increasingly important for preparing for future regulatory requirements and market demands.
The Connection to the New EPBD Directive
Another factor that underscores the importance of environmental data on materials is the new EPBD Directive on buildings.
The legislation introduces a phased requirement to calculate the carbon emissions of buildings over their entire life cycle.
To perform this calculation, reliable environmental data on the materials used in construction is needed. For this reason, the EPDs for building materials are becoming increasingly important to architects, contractors, and real estate developers.
How can we support you?
Between the new CPR Regulation, the EPBD Directive, and the Green Public Procurement standards for building materials, the construction sector is moving toward an approach increasingly based on the life cycle of products and buildings. Preparing in advance means not only anticipating future regulatory requirements but also strengthening the competitiveness of one’s materials. Ollum supports manufacturers in conducting LCA analyses, obtaining EPD certifications, and developing LCA tools to manage product families in a scalable manner, as well as providing technical support for compliance with the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
