CPR Sustainability Rules — How Construction Firms Can Prepare

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It’s Not Too Late — How Construction Firms Can Still Meet the CPR’s New Sustainability Demands

With the updated Construction Products Regulation (CPR) deadline fast approaching, construction companies across Europe are facing a shift that’s as structural as the buildings they help create. Every product sold under CPR will also need to demonstrate sustainability, with third-party verification — a marked change from older systems where many companies could self-declare. But according to Mantijn van Leeuwen, Managing Director and Senior LCA Consultant at Kiwa NIBE, “It’s never too late to meet these requirements, unless you do nothing.”

“Your product now needs more than a CE mark, which confirms it meets safety, health, and environmental standards for sale in the European Economic Area,”

Mantijn van Leeuwen
Managing Director and Senior LCA Consultant at Kiwa NIBE
Two construction professionals reviewing CPR compliance documents with sustainability data on a laptop

The ticking clock on CPR compliance

The new sustainability requirements under the CPR are set to take full effect for the first product group in January 2027, following a one-year lead time granted by the European Commission. While that may sound distant, the regulation is technically already in force, and for many in the construction sector, the time to act is now.

“We’re in the countdown period,” says Mantijn. “For most companies, there’s still time. But if you’re in prefabricated concrete, this is your last call. It’s one minute to midnight.”

The CPR has, in fact, been in place since 2012, ensuring structural safety and fire resistance across European buildings. But the big change now? Every product sold under CPR will also need to demonstrate sustainability, with third-party verification. This marks a shift from older systems where many companies could self-declare.

Why product performance alone isn’t enough anymore

“Your product now needs more than a CE mark, which confirms it meets safety, health, and environmental standards for sale in the European Economic Area,” Mantijn explains. “It must also prove its sustainability. And that’s no longer optional.”

What’s most challenging for manufacturers isn’t the regulation itself, it’s the mindset shift. “Many companies still think, ‘I make a perfect product, what’s the problem?’” he says. “But it’s no longer just about the product. Compliance now depends on your entire value chain.”

The new requirement demands a full lifecycle perspective, from raw materials to end-of-life. At Kiwa, this is referred to as A, B, and C. “It’s your suppliers, your product, and what happens downstream. That’s the big difference.”

What construction firms can do right now

Mantijn shares 3 clear pieces of advice:

  1. Start collecting data now. “You need to set up structures for this. No software can help you if you don’t have the data.”

  2. Engage your value chain.  “You need to start conversations with your suppliers and build those connections as soon as possible.”

  3. Get a tool designed for CPR deadlines. “Developed by Kiwa NIBE, R<THINK is purpose-built for construction and integrates seamlessly with Kiwa’s certification process, making it intuitive and reliable for CPR compliance, even for non-experts. The tool covers three key modules: lifecycle analysis (LCA), corporate carbon footprinting, and digital data sharing. 

R<THINK is also ready for the upcoming Digital Product Passport (DPP), part of the EU’s Green Deal. “It’s mandatory. Every product will need a passport with sustainability data. Our platform already generates the declarations.”

These QR-linked passports will track products through their full lifecycle, including disassembly and recycling. “It’s like a lifetime passport,” Mantijn adds. “Eventually, whole buildings will have one.” 

A 20-week program that’s helping companies win at sustainability

To address rising demand and limited expert capacity, Kiwa also offers a dedicated training program that equips clients to manage their own sustainability reporting. The result is a 50-hour course delivered over 20 weeks. Though the engine is complex, the interface is simple. “We’ve designed it to be accessible to users without needing deep expertise,” Mantijn explains.

“Clients become ‘level one’ experts, with our continued support. It’s like a family. We keep them updated and make sure everything runs smoothly.”

Final word: act now, not later

“The regulation is moving at lightning speed,” Mantijn concludes, “If you’re prepared, you’ll be fine. But you have to start. Step in, do the work, and we’ll help make sure you get your declarations in order.”

Want more insights like this? Explore the full Trace Magazine to see how Kiwa helps companies stay ahead of evolving ESG regulations.

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