February 13, 2025 Industry news
The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) is a key legislative framework within the European Union (EU) designed to ensure the safety, sustainability and transparency of construction products placed on the EU market.
The (CPR) was recently updated and the revised regulation, officially published as Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 on 18 December 2024, came into effect on 7 January 2025 with most provisions becoming applicable from 8 January 2026.
Key updates in the revised CPR include the introduction of Digital Product Passports — a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing traceability, transparency and environmental compliance across the construction sector.
What’s changing in the CPR?
The recent updates are part of the EU’s broader sustainability and digitalisation agenda. Their core focus is to make product construction product information more transparent, easily accessible and standardised.
Key updates include:
- Mandatory Digital Product Passports (DPPs) for construction products, ensuring all necessary product data is digitally stored and retrievable
- Stronger environmental and sustainability requirements, aligned with the European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan
- Enhanced market surveillance to improve compliance with safety and performance standards
- Standardised product information sharing, reducing discrepancies between national regulatory requirements and improving cross-border trade within the EU
These changes aim to create a more resilient, transparent, and environmentally responsible construction sector by ensuring that all materials and products used in buildings meet high sustainability and safety standards.
What is the Digital Product Passport (DPP)?
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a structured digital record containing essential information about a product’s characteristics, including its composition, environmental impact, and compliance with relevant regulations. For the construction sector, DPPs will provide:
- Unique product identification for accurate tracking and traceability
- Detailed environmental impact data, such as carbon footprint and recyclability
- Performance and safety details, ensuring compliance with EU standards
- Real-time updates, allowing stakeholders to access the most current product information at any stage of the product lifecycle
By digitising product information, the DPP facilitates better decision-making, enhances sustainability reporting, and supports easier product compliance verification.
When will the DPP be implemented in construction?
The phased rollout of DPPs under the CPR ensures a gradual transition, allowing manufacturers and industry stakeholders sufficient time to adapt. Key milestones include:
- 2024: Introduction of the legal framework mandating DPPs for construction products
- 2025: Development of digital infrastructure and data-sharing frameworks to support DPP implementation
- 2026: Full enforcement of DPPs in the construction sector, making it a requirement for all construction products within the EU
This timeline provides the industry with a clear roadmap for compliance and integration of DPPs into supply chains.
Unique identification of products
A fundamental requirement of the DPP is the use of globally unique product identification systems to ensure consistency and interoperability. The GS1's Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) provides a standardised method for uniquely identifying products across supply chains, helping manufacturers, suppliers and regulatory bodies track products efficiently.
By requiring every product to carry a unique identifier, the DPP allows seamless access to product information. This will support compliance and sustainability efforts while also reducing counterfeiting and misinformation.
The benefits of the DPP in construction
The introduction of the DPP brings multiple advantages for stakeholders across the construction value chain. These include:
- Greater transparency: making product information easily accessible to manufacturers, regulators and consumers alike
- Improved sustainability: encouraging the use of environmentally friendly materials and promoting circular economy principles
- Regulatory compliance: simplifying adherence to EU market rules and reducing administrative burdens
- Enhanced efficiency: streamlining supply chain processes and reducing errors in product selection and application
Getting prepared
As the industry moves towards DPP adoption, businesses must take proactive steps to achieve a seamless transition. A key priority will be reviewing existing product data management systems to align with forthcoming digitalisation requirements. Assessing current capabilities and identifying gaps will help organisations prepare for new regulatory standards.
Engaging with standardisation initiatives is another crucial step. Staying informed about evolving guidelines will help businesses adapt efficiently and meet the necessary requirements.
Shervin Yousefzadeh, head of construction, GS1 UK
Active participation in these initiatives will also provide valuable insights into best practices and industry expectations.
Investing in digital infrastructure will also be essential to support a smooth integration of DPPs into business operations. Companies should evaluate their technological needs and implement scalable solutions that facilitate data capture, storage and sharing in line with the CPR’s frameworks.
Collaboration across the industry will play a vital role. By working closely with supply chain partners, businesses can establish best practices for data sharing and traceability. A joined-up approach will help create a more transparent, efficient and future-ready system for all.
Looking ahead
The CPR update and DPP introduction mark a major shift towards a more digital and sustainable construction industry. As organisations align with these changes, reliable standards will be key to ensuring a smooth transition.
GS1 UK’s expertise in standardised product identification can support businesses in meeting compliance requirements and enhancing transparency across their supply chains. Industry collaboration will be essential and, for those seeking further guidance on the DPP and its role in construction, engaging with relevant standards organisations can provide valuable insights and resources.
If you would like to understand more about how GS1UK can support this transition, please feel free to reach out to us via: construction@gs1uk.org.
