Renovation

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is a strong tool for renovating buildings that are better choices for the environment, the climate, and the occupants. The requirements promote resource efficiency, reduced climate impact and a non-toxic and circular economy.

Furthermore, the criteria are aligned with the technical screening criteria for substantial contribution in the EU taxonomy Annex 1 for renovation of existing buildings (7.2).

The requirements include, among others:

• Mapping and handling of harmful substances in the existing building.
• Mapping of components and materials suitable for reuse.
• Low energy demand or a significantly reduced total demand for primary energy compared to before the renovation.*
• Moisture control of existing structures and in the renovation process.
• Environmental properties and health properties of chemicals used in both construction materials and chemical building products, for example glue, paint, building panels.
• A material logbook to ensure traceability of the building components.
• Effective sorting of demolition and construction waste to promote reuse, recycling and other kinds of material recovery.
• Control of renovation process.

* Except for protected buildings and buildings worthy of preservation covered by the exemption in O7.

The product group includes renovation of office buildings, educational buildings (schools, kindergartens, and day-cares), hotels and conference facilities and residential buildings such as small houses, apartments, row houses, student housing and homes for the elderly or for persons with disabilities.