The CPR and Its Overlap With the GPSR

The European construction sector is undergoing a major regulatory shift with the revised CPR. This regulation establishes harmonized rules for the trade of construction products within the European Union, ensuring that products permanently integrated into buildings meet strict technical specifications and performance standards.

However, while the CPR specifically targets construction products, it shares several key similarities with the GPSR Both regulations emphasize consumer safety, transparency, and compliance, imposing obligations on businesses to ensure that products placed on the market meet high safety standards.

Which products fall under the CPR?

The CPR applies to all construction products that are permanently incorporated into buildings or infrastructure. This includes a wide range of materials and components, such as:

• Traditional building materials like concrete, bricks, and roof tiles.

• Innovative construction products, including 3D-printed materials.

• Products used in infrastructure projects such as bridges, roads, and tunnels.

• Circular and sustainable construction materials.

Products that must first be integrated into a kit or another construction product before being used in a structure are not covered by this regulation.

Various laws and regulations that overlap can be quite challenging.

What changes with the new CPR?

The revised CPR introduces significant updates aimed at making the sector more sustainable, transparent, and efficient:

• Clearer Performance Requirements – Market participants must provide detailed and transparent information about essential product characteristics and compliance with set standards.

• Digital Product Passport – A mandatory digital product passport will be introduced within 18 months after adoption, containing conformity details, technical specifications, and product performance information.

• Enhanced Traceability – Construction products must have a unique identification code, making tracking easier across the supply chain.

• Stronger Quality Control – Companies must implement robust complaint handling, quality checks, and recall procedures to prevent non-compliant products from reaching the market.

• Sustainability Requirements – The CPR introduces minimum sustainability criteria to reduce the environmental impact of construction products, especially in public procurement.

Key overlaps between CPR and GPSR

Although CPR is specifically tailored for construction products, it aligns with the GPSR on several essential compliance aspects, including:

• Mandatory consumer information – Both CPR and GPSR require businesses to provide clear and transparent information about product safety, usage, and conformity, ensuring that consumers and professionals can make informed choices.

• Handling non-conformity – If a product is found to be non-compliant or unsafe, businesses under both regulations are obligated to immediately remove it from the market and inform market surveillance authorities.

• Corrective actions & recalls – If a product presents a safety risk, companies must take corrective measures, which may include product recalls, public warnings, and modifications to prevent harm to consumers or end-users.

These shared obligations highlight the EU’s broader effort to ensure product safety and regulatory compliance across all industries, reinforcing market trust and protecting consumers.

When does the new CPR take effect?

• January 8, 2026 – Most obligations become legally enforceable from this date.

• Voluntary compliance – Companies can prepare in advance and adopt the new requirements once harmonized technical specifications become available.

Final thoughts

With the introduction of the updated CPR and its alignment with broader product safety regulations like the GPSR, businesses must take proactive steps to ensure compliance. Both regulations emphasize consumer protection, regulatory oversight, and product accountability, making it essential for companies to implement effective compliance strategies. The checklists from CheckRegulations make this process easier for entrepreneurs by providing clear guidance and practical tools to achieve compliance.