Construction Products

European Parliament Hearing on Safe and Sustainable Construction Materials in EU Housing

The European Parliament is holding a June 2026 hearing on how construction materials and the revised Construction Products Regulation can support safer, more sustainable and affordable housing across the EU. This signals potential future EU measures affecting construction product rules, standards and access to materials for contractors and manufacturers, particularly SMEs, and is an early touchpoint for monitoring implementation of the new CPR framework.

23 May 2026, 09:10europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

USITC Recommends Tariff-Rate Quota on Quartz Surface Products

In May 2026, the U.S. International Trade Commission found that rising imports of quartz surface products are a substantial cause of serious injury to U.S. producers and recommended a four-year tariff-rate quota with declining in-quota and above-quota tariffs. If the President adopts this recommendation, importers and downstream users of quartz countertops and other engineered stone surfaces face significant new tariff costs and volume limits, requiring reassessment of sourcing, pricing, and capacity plans.

22 May 2026, 16:46public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

England: Environment Agency Issues Standard Rules Permit SR2024 No 2 for Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate and Updates Part B1 Application

In May 2026 the Environment Agency introduced a new standard rules permit SR2024 No 2 for using unbound incinerator bottom ash aggregate in specified construction recovery operations and updated the Part B1 application form to add questions for this option. This creates a standardised, lower-cost permitting route for eligible IBAA projects in England, but operators must ensure their activities fit the defined rule set, manage the identified risks, and provide the additional information now required in the updated B1 application.

22 May 2026, 10:25gov.ukUnited Kingdom

England – Environment Agency Standard Rules Permit SR2024 No 2 for Using Unbound Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate in Construction

The Environment Agency has introduced a new standard rules permit (SR2024 No 2) for using unbound incinerator bottom ash aggregate in specified construction activities in England, with defined capacity limits, siting constraints, reporting duties, and fee levels. This gives waste and construction operators a clearer, standardised pathway to use IBAA as a recovery material instead of virgin aggregates, provided they meet strict acceptance, design, and monitoring conditions that protect groundwater and sensitive receptors.

22 May 2026, 10:25gov.ukUnited Kingdom

European Parliament Questions Commission on Irish Non-Recognition of EU Certificates for MMC Cladding Products

An Irish MEP has asked the European Commission to address reports that Irish housing and building control authorities are refusing to recognise EU technical certificates for modern methods of construction cladding products issued by accredited bodies in other Member States. If the Commission finds this practice breaches the EU mutual recognition regulation, it could trigger enforcement steps against Ireland and clarify how innovative, sustainable construction products should be accepted across the single market.

20 May 2026, 19:56europarl.europa.euEuropean UnionIreland

UK OPSS Publishes Research On Evolution Of EU Construction Product Regulation And CPR 2024

In May 2026 the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards published an OPSS‑commissioned research report analysing how the EU construction products regime has evolved from the original Construction Products Directive through CPR 2011 to the newly adopted CPR 2024, and how these changes affect regulators, manufacturers and users. The findings highlight structural weaknesses in standards and enforcement, UK testing and knowledge‑network gaps, and far‑reaching CPR 2024 shifts on environmental performance, product requirements and digital product passports, providing an evidence base for adjusting construction‑product compliance and surveillance strategies over the coming years.

20 May 2026, 19:24assets.publishing.service.gov.ukEuropean UnionUnited Kingdom

UK Government Publishes May 2026 Grenfell Tower Inquiry Progress Report

In May 2026 the UK government published a cross‑departmental progress report on implementing Phase 2 and related Phase 1 recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, confirming the status of major reforms to higher‑risk building regulation, the construction products regime, fire and rescue services, emergency planning and support for vulnerable residents. The report does not itself introduce new obligations but signals a clear direction of travel—tightening fire safety guidance, overhauling construction product oversight, and moving towards licensing and mandatory accreditation for key professionals—so organisations should track forthcoming consultations and legislation to anticipate design, product and competence requirements.

20 May 2026, 19:24gov.ukUnited Kingdom

China Approves New National Fire Safety Standards for Vehicles and Equipment

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation has approved and released new national fire safety standards for vehicle fire detection, suspended gas extinguishing devices and urban fire remote monitoring systems in May 2026. These standards will drive manufacturers and operators to update equipment design, testing and monitoring practices in line with unified national specifications, strengthening fire risk prevention and data-driven fire safety oversight.

16 May 2026, 08:55samr.gov.cnChina

New York Bill S10328 Proposes Minimum Reclaimed Asphalt Content for Paving Projects

New York has introduced Senate Bill S10328 to require most asphalt paving mixes used on highways, driveways, parking lots and other construction projects to contain minimum levels of reclaimed asphalt pavement, with 30% recycled content for standard mixes and 10% for heavy-duty mixes, and the bill is now before the Senate Transportation Committee. If enacted, this would tighten material specifications for public and private paving work, forcing contractors and asphalt suppliers to adjust mix designs and RAP sourcing while supporting circular-economy and emissions-reduction goals in New York’s transport and construction sectors.

15 May 2026, 15:24nysenate.govUnited States

European Commission Answer Clarifies Implementation of Construction Products Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 and European Assessment Documents

In May 2026 the European Commission clarified that implementation of the new Construction Products Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 is on track, with the AVS delegated act in preparation, the ETA format regulation already adopted, and no missing prerequisites for developing new European Assessment Documents. This reassures construction product manufacturers that they can keep issuing ETAs under existing CPR-2011 EADs until January 2031 while signalling that future EADs under CPR-2024 will embed new environmental and information requirements, so planning for the transition remains important.

15 May 2026, 09:03europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands To Hold Stakeholder Meeting on Planned MKI-Based Environmental Performance Requirements in GWW Procurement

The Dutch government is finalising a general administrative order under the Wet milieubeheer to mandate MKI-based environmental performance requirements in public procurement for ground, road and water infrastructure, with a stakeholder meeting planned in May 2026 to present the draft approach and gather feedback. This will make MKI scores a binding baseline and award criterion for major GWW tenders, requiring contracting authorities and suppliers to align designs, data and investments with climate-neutral and circular infrastructure objectives.

14 May 2026, 19:14circulairebouweconomie.nlNetherlands

South Africa Adopts PVoC Programme for High-Risk Unregulated Imports from China (G/TBT/N/ZAF/273)

South Africa has adopted a ministerial directive under the Standards Act, 2008 to implement a Pre‑Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme for selected high‑risk, currently unregulated consumer products imported from China, requiring compliance with specified South African National Standards and a Certificate of Conformity at import. The directive was published on 20 March 2026 and will enter into force on 20 September 2026 after a six‑month voluntary Phase 1 pilot period, so importers and Chinese exporters of listed products such as cosmetics, cookware, furniture, mattresses, toys, LPG accessories, generators and plumbing/building materials should use 2026 to align supply chains and prepare for mandatory PVoC documentation and testing requirements.

13 May 2026, 19:25members.wto.orgSouth AfricaChina

European Commission Imposes Provisional Anti-Dumping Duty on PET Spunbond Imports From China

From mid-May 2026 the European Commission is applying provisional anti-dumping duties of up to 50 % on imports of PET spunbond non-woven polyester sheets from China into the EU. EU importers of these carrier fabrics for roofing membranes face immediate cost increases and potential sourcing shifts while the investigation proceeds towards a definitive decision on long-term duties later in 2026.

13 May 2026, 12:38eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Denmark Issues Temporary Classification Practice for Packaged Glass Wool and Mixed Mineral Wool for Landfilling

In May 2026 Denmark’s Environmental Protection Agency introduced a temporary practice allowing tightly packaged pre-1997 glass wool and lawful mixtures of mineral wool to be classified as non-hazardous landfill waste under defined conditions until 1 January 2027. This gives waste producers and landfill operators a time-limited route to clear accumulated mineral wool stocks and adjust sorting and documentation processes while preparing for a possible permanent reclassification once the ongoing review concludes.

12 May 2026, 12:53mst.dkDenmark

US Senate Introduces Federal Mechanical Insulation Act of 2026 (S. 4312)

In April 2026 the US Senate introduced the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act, which would amend the National Energy Conservation Policy Act so that mechanical insulation meeting ASHRAE 90.1 is explicitly treated as an energy and water efficiency measure for federal buildings. If enacted, this would strengthen the case for using compliant mechanical insulation in federal projects, supporting demand for higher‑performance systems without adding new chemical‑specific restrictions for insulation materials.

12 May 2026, 12:51govinfo.govUnited States

EU Commission Presents Procurement Implications of Industrial Accelerator Act Proposal

In March 2026 the European Commission briefed Member States on how its proposed Industrial Accelerator Act would hardwire Made in EU origin and low-carbon content thresholds into EU public procurement and support schemes for EVs, net-zero technologies and key industrial materials. If adopted, these phased requirements from 2029 onward would significantly reshape tender strategies, localisation decisions and supply-chain design for automotive, construction and clean-tech suppliers seeking access to EU-funded projects and public contracts.

11 May 2026, 12:04data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Croatia Amends Construction Products Act To Implement EU Regulation 2024/3110

Croatia has amended its Construction Products Act to implement and enforce the new EU Construction Products Regulation 2024/3110, with changes published in early May 2026. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, notified bodies and online marketplaces supplying construction products into Croatia now face updated CE-marking, documentation, digital product passport and market-surveillance requirements, backed by a clearer designation regime and stronger penalties.

11 May 2026, 11:56narodne-novine.nn.hrCroatia

China Issues Revised Mandatory Standard GB 18586—2026 For Harmful Substances In Carpets And PVC Flooring

China’s market regulator has issued revised mandatory standard GB 18586—2026 tightening limits on harmful substances and TVOC emissions in carpets, carpet underlays and PVC flooring. Stricter emission and content thresholds for VOCs, formaldehyde, heavy metals, phthalates and brominated flame retardants will force flooring suppliers to review formulations, testing and certification plans ahead of implementation.

11 May 2026, 11:34samr.gov.cnChina

Lower Saxony Ministries Publish Interdisciplinary Gypsum Report on Supply, Recycling, Conservation and Tourism

Lower Saxony’s environment and economy ministries have published an interdisciplinary report warning of a looming gypsum supply gap as coal-derived REA gypsum disappears while natural deposits in the South Harz face strong nature conservation and tourism constraints. The study signals that users of gypsum-based construction materials should expect more pressure to secure supply via recycling, substitution and possibly expanded domestic mining under tighter land-use and environmental trade-offs, and factor these risks into long-term sourcing and investment plans.

9 May 2026, 07:20mw.niedersachsen.deGermany

European Commission REACH Team Introduces HEFESTOS Study on Substituting Brominated Flame Retardants

The European Commission REACH Team has announced the HEFESTOS study, an EU-funded pilot project to develop practical substitution pathways for brominated flame retardants in construction, automotive, cables and other applications. This initiative signals strengthened EU focus on BFR substitution and stakeholder engagement, providing input that could shape future restrictions, guidance and support mechanisms for managing BFR risks.

8 May 2026, 06:02circabc.europa.euEuropean Union