Construction Act and Low-Carbon Building Requirements (751/2023)

Finland’s Construction Act (Rakentamislaki 751/2023), in force from 1 January 2025, introduces low-carbon and energy performance requirements for new buildings, fully applied from 2026. Building permit applications must include a climate declaration assessing lifecycle carbon footprint and carbon handprint using a national methodology, alongside a machine-readable building product list. Compliance requires demonstrating that the building’s lifecycle carbon emissions remain below defined limit values. The regulation also strengthens energy efficiency standards for heating, ventilation, and materials, requiring integration of low-emission systems and renewable energy, and shifting building codes from operational energy use to whole-life carbon performance. 

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