The EU’s focus on a circular economy is bringing significant changes to the construction industry, with new tools and requirements soon coming into effect. Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and Building Renovation Passports (BRPs) are two key innovations that aim to simplify how materials, products, and buildings are managed throughout their lifecycles.

These passports are designed to streamline compliance, improve efficiency, and encourage better decision-making for all stakeholders in the built environment.

Building Renovation Passports

Building Renovation Passports (BRPs) are part of the EU’s strategy to enhance energy efficiency and building performance. Integrated into the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the 2024 recast introduces stricter rules for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and establishes BRPs as a voluntary tool to help plan phased renovations.

Current Initiatives:
Several EU Member States have already adopted BRPs:

• Germany: The “Individueller Sanierungsfahrplan” (Individual Renovation Roadmap) provides tailored renovation plans for energy-efficient upgrades.
• France: The “Passeport Efficacité Énergétique” (Energy Efficiency Passport) offers step-by-step renovation guidance.
• Belgium (Flanders): The “Woningpas” (Dwelling ID) serves as a comprehensive digital file containing property information and renovation advice.

Future Integration:
By 29 May 2026, all Member States must implement BRP schemes aligned with a unified framework. These passports will work alongside tools like EPCs and digital building logbooks to create a centralised repository of building data. This integration will make renovation planning more efficient, enhance access to relevant information, and support better decision-making for property owners, architects, and developers.

Digital Product Passports

Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are designed to track and share essential information about construction products, including their environmental impact, durability, and recyclability. These comprehensive digital records are central to the EU’s circular economy goals and are mandated by two key regulations:

1. Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR): Introduced in 2024, this regulation requires DPPs to include details on product dimensions, reusability, and environmental impact. It promotes longer-lasting products and circular business models.
2. Revised Construction Products Regulation (CPR): The CPR replaces the Declaration of Performance (DoP) with a new Declaration of Performance and Conformity (DoPC), which incorporates environmental data like global warming potential. This forms the foundation for DPPs, creating a standardised and trackable digital record.

Digital and Building Passports for Industry Stakeholders

The opportunities these innovations bring to the industry are significant. For manufacturers, DPPs consolidate environmental and performance data into a unified format, simplifying compliance with EU standards and opening doors to international markets. Architects and developers, on the other hand, benefit from BRPs, which offer actionable renovation plans that improve building efficiency and deliver more predictable results. Together, DPPs, BRPs, and digital libraries provide a framework that supports smarter, data-driven decision-making and aligns with the shift toward a circular economy.

The Role of Digital Libraries in the Built Environment

The adoption of digital libraries is slowly being embraced by the construction industry and it is becoming the standard to manage information.

These libraries are becoming indispensable as they centralise and standardise data about materials, products, and buildings. They make detailed, reliable information more accessible, enhancing transparency and streamlining collaboration among stakeholders. Information on Digital Product Passports and Building Renovation Passports will also need to live in accessible libraries if their widespread adoption needs to happen quickly.

By embracing digital libraries, professionals can not only navigate the complexities of new regulatory frameworks but also unlock efficiencies across the construction and renovation process. Platforms like Revalu are more than just compliance tools—they are enablers of innovation, collaboration, and long-term progress in the built environment.

Our platform is an example of how digital libraries are transforming the industry. revalu provides a comprehensive database of material information, drawing from over one million data points, including more than 20 thousand Europe-focused Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). It allows professionals to:

• Access reliable material data quickly.
• Manage and integrate this data into different workflows through tools like our revalu connect, which integrates our data with spreadsheets or the most popular design softwares and reporting tools.
• Simplify compliance while improving material choices.