European harmonization of health criteria for construction products: progress and current challenges

Abstract

In Europe, the Construction Products Regulation sets harmonized conditions for the marketing of construction products with the objective of protecting the building users' health. However, until now only three European countries have implemented requirements for the assessment of VOC emissions from construction products. The European Commission has recognized the insufficient implementation of health require ents and is therefore currently planning the issue of a delegated act on the communication of VOC emissions from construction products in the form of "VOC Classes". A key prerequisite for defining the VOC classes is the completion of the EU-LCI list currently being carried out by a group of experts from ten European countries. This paper reports on the development of the VOC class concept, the progress of the EU-LCI harmonization framework and Germany's current efforts to ensure a high health protection level of building users and avoid dangers from construction product emissions. (Ana Maria Scutaru)