Navigating the new Nordic building regulations: The critical role of EPDs

In the evolving landscape of sustainable construction in the Nordic, environmental product declarations (EPDs) are becoming instrumental for engineers and construction professionals in adhering to stringent environmental standards. 

This article shows how EPDs integrate with new building regulations and assist stakeholders in achieving compliance and fostering sustainability. 

New building regulations — understanding EPDs

Environmental product declarations (EPDs) are standardized documents that provide vital environmental data for products throughout their life cycles. They are particularly significant in the construction industry where the environmental impact of materials can be substantial. As the Nordic countries strive for a green transition, EPDs serve as a foundation for transparent and informed decisions in building processes. 

Sweden
Sweden has consistently been at the forefront of implementing robust environmental regulations to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector. Sweden’s goals is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. In July 2024, Boverket, the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning proposed new building regulations set to take effect on July 1, 2025. These regulations aim to tighten climate requirements for a broader range of buildings and residential homes, enhancing emission reductions and aligning with Sweden's ambitious sustainability goals. Stakeholders can review these proposals on Boverket’s website to prepare for compliance in advance, facilitating a smoother transition and reinforcing Sweden's commitment to sustainable building practices and climate responsibility.

Norway
Norway has been proactive in enhancing its environmental policies, particularly within the construction sector, to meet ambitious climate targets. Norway is dedicated to significantly reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in the building industry. In 2022, Norway updated its decarbonization targets aiming for a 55% reduction below 1990 levels by 2030. This goal serves Norway’s plan to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of the building industry and become a zero-emission country by 2050. These regulations will increase the use of sustainable materials and technologies, ensuring a broader impact on reducing the nation's overall carbon footprint and aligning with international environmental standards.

Denmark
Denmark has long been a leader in implementing stringent environmental regulations aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the construction sector. The Danish government’s new agreement tightens climate requirements for buildings starting in July 2025. This new agreement extends climate regulations to more types of buildings and homes, ensuring a broader impact on reducing emissions.

Finland
In June 2024 The Finnish Ministry of the Environment made key changes to the Building Act that affect the timing and requirements for low-carbon building practices. In the spring of 2024, the Ministry of the Environment opened up a round of public comments on the regulations and legislation outlined in previous years, The Construction Act is due to enter into force in full at the beginning of 2025.

Why Nordic manufacturers invest in EPDs

1. The role of life cycle assessments: Life cycle assessments (LCAs) are at the heart of the new Nordic building regulations. They evaluate the environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life from cradle-to-grave. EPDs feed into LCAs by offering the necessary data to assess these impacts comprehensively. This integration ensures that the assessments are not only thorough but also aligned with international standards, facilitating easier compliance and benchmarking.
   
   
2. Improved transparency and accountability: By using EPDs companies can clearly report the environmental impact of their products. This increases transparency and enables all stakeholders, including consumers and regulatory authorities, to make informed choices and decisions based on the products' environmental impact.
   
   
3. Strengthened environmental regulation and compliance: EPDs are crucial for understanding the life-cycle and environmental impact of products. They provide a verifiable compliance method, containing detailed, quantifiable environmental information that is certified by third parties. The new regulations aim to reduce the climate impact of the construction sector, and EPDs serve as essential tools to ensure that materials and methods adhere to these stringent new standards. 
   
   
4. Improved opportunities for green procurement: EPDs enable construction contractors and developers to select building materials that are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. By providing detailed insights into the environmental aspects of products, EPDs facilitate a greener supply chain and enhance the use of sustainable materials in projects. This strategic application helps meet specific environmental standards, ensuring that sustainability credentials are integral to the material selection process in construction.
   
   
5. Innovation and sustainable product development: By requiring EPDs for building materials, manufacturers are stimulated to develop new, sustainable products. This leads to innovation in the building materials industry and creates a market for products that can offer lower environmental impact and better performance, aligning with both market demands and regulatory standards. 
   
   
6. Increased competitiveness in international markets: As sustainability requirements become increasingly common, not only in the Nordics but globally as well, companies that create and publish EPDs and adapt to these new regulations can improve their position in international markets. This shows a clear commitment to environmental sustainability, which can be a strong competitive advantage.

How EPDs help construction manufacturers

EPDs provide a framework for measuring and reporting the environmental impact of building materials which is crucial for achieving the ambitious goals set forth. For engineers, architects, and construction professionals, understanding and utilizing EPDs is pivotal in navigating this new regulatory landscape, ensuring that their projects are not only compliant but also contribute positively to the broader goals of sustainability and carbon neutrality.

How can One Click LCA help you streamline your EPD creation

One Click LCA's EPD Generator is a tool designed to streamline the creation of environmental product declarations (EPDs). It helps manufacturers and suppliers efficiently generate verified EPDs, essential for assessing the environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle. This tool is particularly valuable in aligning with global sustainability standards and regulatory requirements, making it easier for companies to participate in green procurement and sustainable construction projects. The EPD Generator simplifies the complex data processing involved in producing EPDs, promoting transparency and sustainability in the construction industry.