The contracting authority in the process of construction works’ (such as designing services, construction of new buildings, renovation of existing buildings) procurement should aim that the process and results of purchased works affect the environment less and reduce the risk for human health and the environment because of the usage of hazardous chemicals. While preparing the technical specifications of procurement object, determining criteria for suppliers’ qualifications and tender evaluation criteria the contracting authority should take into consideration that the construction work (including its heating, cooling and ventilation installations) must be designed and built in such a way that:

·        It will not be a threat to the hygiene or health of occupants or neighbours;

·        The amount of energy required (once operational) shall be low, depending on the climatic conditions of the location and the occupants.

The contracting authority should pay attention that construction of new buildings means a commitment to the maintenance and resulting energy and water use for the following 50-200 years. Initially, it is important to consider if the building is needed at all, taking into account possibilities to use existing buildings in more efficient or sometimes different and innovative ways. If a new building is necessary, it is vital to weigh up the planned use. In addition, one should assess the possible future uses and the flexibility of the building to support them with only minor structural changes.

The impact of construction works on the environment and person can come during various phases:

• Production of constructional materials;
• Construction phase;
• Exploitation of building;
• After abrasion of building.

Raw materials are extracted from renewable and non-renewable resources for the production of building materials. When processing the raw materials into building products, energy and environmentally-hazardous chemicals are needed and harmful emissions to air, water and soil can arise. When planning and constructing a building, the production phase can be influenced by favouring environmentally-sound materials. Possibilities are to use building materials that fulfill the criteria of an eco-labelling scheme and recycled materials and to avoid, where possible, materials containing environmentally-hazardous substances.

During the construction phase, there can be harmful emissions of substances and materials to air and water. In the surrounding area of the construction site, there might be disturbance from noise and transport of material by heavy vehicles, influencing people and local eco-systems. Environmentally-responsible collection and disposal/recycling of construction waste are important. The contracting authority should consider the effects of construction processes on the indoor environment during the use of the building, e.g. material and quality controls to prohibit built-in damp damage. Quality management in construction can also be important for ensuring a long life, for proper insulation, and for the correct functioning of the ventilation and heating/cooling systems and other appliances.

The use of energy for space, water heating and ventilation, electrical equipment and lighting cause the largest environmental impacts of a building during its lifetime. Water consumption and the production of waste water are other important impacts of buildings. In the planning and construction phases of a building, it is important to consider the ultimate use of the building and possible reduction of environmental impacts through:

·        Energy efficiency (ventilation, heating and cooling, insulation, lighting, various appliances, etc.);

·        Water efficiency;

·        Promotion of good condition and long-life of the building, by, for example, a service and maintenance plan for the house;

·        Including the possibility to alter and modify the inner space.

When purchasing construction works, the contracting authority can determine environmental characteristics using specifications of the following eco-labels (the list is not exhaustive):

1.      EU Eco-label “Flower” http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm (foresees requirements for indoor paints and varnishes, hard floor coverings, and heat pumps);

2.      Nordic “Swan” www.svanen.nu/Eng/criteria (foresees requirements for small houses, windows, durable wood - alternative to conventionally impregnated wood, solid biofuel boilers, light sources, flooring, adhesives, chipboard, fibre board and gypsum board, closed fireplaces for biofuels);

3.      German “Blauer Angel” www.blauer-engel.de (foresees requirements for building materials made of waste glass, building materials of waste paper, composite wood panels, floor-covering adhesive and many other construction materials and appliances).

When analyzing the eco-labelling of building products, several groups of products for which the criteria of eco-labelling are provided, should be mentioned.

The EU eco-label “Flower” provides the ecological criteria for hard floor-coverings. The criteria are set at levels that promote the labelling of hard floor-coverings that are produced with low environmental impact. If the product is labelled by “Flower”, it is guaranteed that in the processes of raw materials’ extraction and hard floor-coverings’ production the impacts on habitats and associated resources, energy consumption, discharges of toxic or otherwise polluting substances into the environment, and use of dangerous substances are reduced; and information that enables the consumer to use the product in an efficient way which minimises the whole environmental impact is ensured. This label can be awarded to natural stones, agglomerated stones, concrete paving units and terrazzo tiles used both in the interior and exterior.

Indoor paints and varnishes can be labelled by the eco-label “Flower” as well. If this label is on the products, it guarantees a limitation of air pollution by solvents, reduced Sulphur emissions during production, reduced hazardous waste of by-products during titanium dioxide production, the absence of heavy metals and substances harmful for the environment and health, minimum hiding power, wet scrub resistance, water resistance and adhesion. The “Flower” ensures that the packaging information of paints and varnishes always contains information about the ingredients, usage conditions, and recommendations on preparatory works, on how to clean used tools and on waste management. It is also always recommended how to protect the used thing, how the painter should protect himself, particularly when working in closed rooms. In order to get labelled with the “Flower”, paints and varnishes have to meet requirements raised for the emitted amount of hazardous substances (the eco-label determines the maximum amount), the performance criteria (spreading rate, wet scrub resistance, resistance to water, and adhesion).

The Nordic eco-label “Swan” can be awarded to adhesives. Adhesives encompass adhesives for use by consumers and industry, including the building industry. The aim of the criteria is to reduce the environmental impact associated with raw materials and packaging by:

• Reducing the use of chemicals that are harmful to health and the environment;
• Prohibiting phthalates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, alkylphenols and halogenated solvents;
• Restricting the content of residual monomers and volatile organic compounds;
• Imposing requirements as to the performance of the products;
• Requiring information to be provided on recommended doses.

The main criteria for adhesives according to the Nordic “Swan” are the following:

• Products that are to be eco-labelled must not be subject to classification in accordance with harmonized regulations in the EU in any of the hazard classes: environmentally harmful, highly toxic, toxic, harmful to health, corrosive, irritant, allergenic, carcinogenic, mutagenic or harmful to reproduction, explosive, oxidants, extremely flammable, very flammable or flammable;
• Chemical substances that are classified as environmentally harmful in accordance with EU Directive 67/548/EEC with adaptations and amendments must not be present in quantities in excess of 1% by weight in the case of individual substances and a maximum of 2% by weight in total;
• The content of substances considered to be allergenic, carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to the reproductive system in accordance with regulations and associated substance list must not exceed 0.1% by weight;
• With the exception of wallpaper paste and adhesive for joining padding materials in furniture, adhesive products must not contain more than 1% volatile organic compounds. Wallpaper paste and adhesives used for joining padding materials in furniture must not contain volatile organic compounds;
• Manufacturers must have a plan for sorting on site and processing waste. The quantity of hazardous waste must be specified;
• The package of the adhesive must be resealable after use. Halogenated plastics must not be present in packaging materials. With the exception of small parts (e.g. stoppers), plastic packaging must be labelled in accordance with DIN 6120, ISO 1043 or equivalent systems;
• Detailed instructions for use including recommended quantity/m2, instructions for cleaning tools and for handling waste packaging and adhesive must be supplied with the adhesive.

It should be mentioned that most of the eco-labels determine environmental criteria for particular building products, but not the building process itself. The exception is the eco-label Nordic “Swan” which determines criteria for small houses. The attention should paid to the fact that is not clear which part of the production of European building products meets the requirements of different eco-labels. Therefore when preparing technical specifications the market should be assessed and the obligatory environmental criteria should be determined according to non-discriminatory principles. In order to avoid the restriction of competition, some of the environmental characteristics could be chosen according to economically most advantageous tender criteria. The contracting authority can also use the possibility of alternatives.