Criterion updates effective September 15, 2025
This summary provides an overview of the criterion changes we have previously communicated.
New Criterion for Chemical Content: PFAS
PFAS is now introduced as a separate criterion, based on PRIO's guidelines. Previously, we had information requirements for this substance group, but with this update, PFAS will be assessed under its own criterion with concentration thresholds for both Accepted and To Be Avoided. A product containing ≥0.1% PFAS will receive the assessment To Be Avoided for this criterion.
Furthermore, any product containing PFAS cannot receive the assessment Recommended for the Chemical Content criterion. The definition we apply is the same as the one used by the Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemikalieinspektionen), namely the OECD definition, which includes both polymeric and non-polymeric PFAS.
PFAS Removed from the “Specifically Designated Substances” Criterion
As PFAS now has its own dedicated criterion, it will be removed from the Specifically Designated Substances criterion. This criterion implies that a product containing any substance within the specified group cannot be rated Recommended under Chemical Content. This remains the case for PFAS – products containing PFAS will still not be eligible for the Recommended rating. However, the new criterion provides clear concentration thresholds only for the Accepted and To be avoided ratings.
Change to the Lifecycle Criterion: Recycling
The Recycling criterion generally assesses recyclability at the demolition stage. However, this change applies specifically to mineral wool (stone or glass wool), for which an exception is introduced: instead of assessing recyclability during demolition, it will be evaluated during the construction phase. This is due to the fact that mineral wool is typically landfilled after demolition.
The purpose of this exception is to allow this material group to achieve the Accepted rating, rather than all products receiving To Be Avoided, and to encourage increased recycling efforts during construction projects.
The exception applies only to pure insulation boards or absorbents containing ≥30% stone or glass wool, where waste arises during construction. This is now clarified in the criterion text. For other composite products with ≥30% stone or glass wool, this exception does not apply, and the Recycling criterion will therefore continue to be assessed based on recyclability at the demolition stage.
Read the previous article here.