Construction Products

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

EU Council Working Paper Summarises Sector-Specific EU Laws With Green Public Procurement Provisions (March 2026)

An EU Council working paper for March 2026 maps the key EU laws and proposals that embed green public procurement provisions, spotlighting an upcoming Net-Zero Industry Act implementing regulation alongside recent product regulations on ecodesign, batteries, construction products and packaging that will govern how public buyers award contracts. This consolidated view shows where public purchasing will increasingly require low-carbon, circular and resilient products, giving manufacturers early visibility of the regulations and future implementing acts that will translate these hooks into detailed award criteria and technical requirements for market access.

6 May 2026, 19:53data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

China Cement Association Issues Supplementary Rules on Ultra-Low Emission Public Listings for Cement Enterprises

China’s cement industry association has tightened ultra-low emission listing rules, introducing graded revocation and re-application bans for plants that breach air pollution controls and compliance requirements from April 2026. Cement producers relying on “ultra-low emission” status for policy support or market positioning now face stronger expectations on continuous environmental performance, data integrity, and rapid incident reporting to avoid delisting and associated commercial and reputational risks.

5 May 2026, 13:36tanjiaoyi.comChina

UK Parliament Introduces Building Regulations (Swift Bricks) Bill

A UK Private Members' Bill has been introduced to require the installation of 'swift bricks' on new buildings, with first reading held in December 2024. If progressed, this would embed biodiversity considerations into building design, potentially creating new compliance obligations for developers, housebuilders and building-control authorities.

5 May 2026, 06:56bills.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

China Registers New Railway Geosynthetics And Aviation Fuel Industry Standards

China’s national standards platform has registered new railway geosynthetics and rail fastener product standards (TB/T 3618.1–4-2025, TB/T 3615–3617-2025) alongside updated civil aviation fuel quality and refuelling method standards (including MH/T 6020-2025) that are being implemented between January and May 2026. These sector standards update technical specifications and quality-control expectations for suppliers into China’s rail and aviation fuel markets, so affected manufacturers should review whether the new TB/T and MH/T documents are now referenced in their contracts, approvals, or procurement criteria.

4 May 2026, 20:08hbba.sacinfo.org.cnChina

EU Commission Proposes Implementing Regulation on Digital Product Passport Registry Under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781

The European Commission has issued a draft implementing regulation setting out how the EU digital product passport registry will operate under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, including rules for registering passports, verifying operators, structuring data and securing the system across multiple product groups. Once adopted, these arrangements will determine how manufacturers, importers and other value-chain actors must build IT systems and governance to register and maintain digital product passports for products such as batteries, construction products, toys and detergents, with direct implications for compliance workflows and market access in the EU.

4 May 2026, 18:22eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

England Environment Agency Sets 2026 Milestones in Waste Quality Protocol Reviews for Non-Packaging Plastics and Steel Slag

The Environment Agency has updated its England waste quality protocol review to confirm that the non-packaging plastics Quality Protocol requires revision with a 27 October 2026 decision and participation deadline, and to launch an evidence-based review of the steel slag aggregate protocol due by the end of summer 2026. For waste operators and downstream users relying on these end-of-waste routes, this signals potential changes or withdrawal of current pathways by late 2026, making early engagement and contingency planning important for maintaining routes to market for recycled plastics and steel slag aggregates.

30 Apr 2026, 09:00gov.ukUnited Kingdom

France Consults on Draft Decree and Order Reforming EPR Scheme for Construction Products and Materials

France is consulting from late April to 19 May 2026 on a draft decree and ministerial order that would significantly reform the extended producer responsibility scheme for construction products and materials, with application planned from 1 September 2026. The reform would shift design of the waste-collection network to regional councils, refocus eco-organism funding on non-mature waste streams, tighten environmental performance and reuse targets, and require existing EPR operators to re-apply for approval, reshaping costs, contracts, and planning for construction and waste-sector players.

29 Apr 2026, 12:21vie-publique.frFrance