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Why the EMICODE® will remain a reliable eco-label
The new EU Construction Products Regulation is intended to help create a single European market for construction products. However, this is a process that will take years to complete. It is therefore extremely helpful for planners and contractors in the building industry that proven seals such as the EMICODE® label will continue to provide a good benchmark for product selection. "Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised rules for the marketing of construction products", as the full name of the CPR (Construction Products Regulation) reads, came into force. However, the new legal framework will not become generally applicable until January 8, 2026. This…
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New simplicity for a healthy room climate
How can the construction sector contribute to achieving the EU’s climate targets and also carbon neutrality? Thomas Auer, Professor of Building Technology and Climate Responsive Design at the Technical University of Munich, argues in favor of simple, technically downgraded construction, the use of low-emission products and a new definition of the term "comfort". The following report is a condensed version of Prof. Auer’s presentation given at the GEV, the German Association for the Control of Emissions in Products for Flooring Installation, Adhesives and Building Materials. "95 percent of buildings do not work as planned. Nevertheless, the industry ploughs on like a tanker: Stupid glass buildings are built everywhere." Prof. Auer…
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A good nose for healthy living
In view of the fact that we humans spend around 90 percent of our time indoors, it is all the more important that our living and working spaces have a pleasant (or at least neutral) smell and are supplied with sufficient fresh air. The careful selection of building products, their correct installation or application as well as regular ventilation ensure a safe living environment without adverse effects on our health. The matter seems simple enough: Odors are either pleasant or unpleasant, and the latter are harmful. This assumption, however, is wrong. "Some odors are not only unpleasant, but may also pose a health risk. Nevertheless, it cannot be assumed that…
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Record growth in GEV membership
The GEV, short for "Association for the Control of Emissions in Products for Flooring Installation, Adhesives and Building Materials", has reached a new record. As of January 2025, the Association boasts a total of 250 members. This shows that an ever-increasing number of companies are keen on obtaining the EMICODE® seal for low-emission products awarded by the GEV. Apart from 108 members in Germany, also companies from Italy, France, Greece, the Netherlands and China are striving to launch products that meet the strict EMICODE® emission requirements. The list of countries in which members are based includes a total of 24 nations. The Association also reports another record for 2024. With…
