The meeting brought together representatives from ministries and authorities across all Nordic countries and regions. The group serves as a forum for aligning regulatory perspectives, sharing knowledge and strengthening Nordic cooperation within construction and housing.
The progress of the three work packages, Climate, Circularity and EU, were presented to the group, highlighting the status and results of the tasks.
Highlights from the Work Packages
Climate Work Package
The Icelandic Housing and Construction Authority highlighted that there are worked with insights and knowledge on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) obtained from the Nordic Climate Forum for Construction 2025, with focus on making LCAs more effective, digital and cost-friendly. Work has also begun on mapping Nordic Research and Development Institutions and innovation to support the development of low-carbon and nature-based solutions. And finally, an initial mapping is being made of what each country is doing to adapt their regulation to a changing climate.
Circularity Work Package
The Danish Authority of Social Services and Housing presented early work on an inspiration catalogue addressing floor optimisation, lifetime extension and transformation of existing buildings. Additionally, a tender has been announced to support the task on harmonisation and green benefits of selected national annexes to the second generation of Eurocodes.
EU Work Package
The Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning has prepared an overview of current EU initiatives relevant to construction and housing. This mapping will form the basis for the next phase of work within the package. See the mapping underneath.
Discussions and Input
Members of the Harmonisation Steering Group engaged in discussion on several findings. For the Circularity Work Package, the group reflected on the initial prioritisation of regulatory focus areas related to optimising the use of existing square metres, including the potential for renovation and transformation for new building uses. Incorporating changed use of an existing building into the focus areas in the catalogue was a highlight from the discussion.
The group also discussed the mapping of EU initiatives, highlighting e.g. digitalisation, the Construction Product Regulation (CPR) and the Circular Economy Act as areas where further Nordic collaboration and input could be beneficial.