We need Digital Products Passports for Existing Buildings or we risk covering our world with landfill : Response to the UK Construction Products Reform White Paper

Costa, Ana (2026) We need Digital Products Passports for Existing Buildings or we risk covering our world with landfill : Response to the UK Construction Products Reform White Paper. UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

The construction industry consumes over 40% of Earth’s raw material resources. It’s time to rethink not just what we build, but how we build and how we value what’s already built. Product safety remains a fundamental concern, brought sharply into focus by catastrophic failures such as the Grenfell Tower tragedy. While fire safety failures exposed critical regulatory gaps, focusing exclusively on safety risks neglects wider systemic issues in product lifecycle management, traceability, and sustainability. To build a resilient and future-proof construction sector, the UK must prioritise renewable, low-carbon, and sustainable products, alongside strategies that extend material lifespans. Central to this transition is the development of a robust chain of custody for materials, ensuring traceability, performance verification, and responsible reuse throughout multiple lifecycle stages. A systemic approach is required, one that integrates safety, sustainability, and circular economy principles.