Reforming the European concrete standard – EN 206

28 industry and civil society actors wrote to the European Commission in support of using the CPR Acquis process to give the next generation of low-carbon concrete a harmonised, performance-based route to market.

European technologies are ready: low (or lower) clinker cements, alkali-activated cements, calcined clays, recycled concrete fines, and qualified industrial-by-products from steel, aluminium, glass and mining, the list goes on. Cement reform is necessary but not sufficient: even an approved low-carbon cement must be usable in concrete to reach the construction site. EN 206 is the gate.

The signatories call for the Construction Products Regulation acquis process to:

1. Adopt a standardisation request for a harmonised EN 206 this year.
2. Make the standard performance-based and open an EU route for novel cements.
3. Sequence EN 206 with the Industrial Accelerator Act.

Learn more about these recommendations and more in our joint letter.