Croatia adopts digital passport for construction products

ZAGREB, 30 April 2026 (Hina) – Croatia has adopted amendments to its Law on Construction Products, introducing a digital passport system designed to improve transparency, traceability and compliance across the European Union supply chain.

The legislation aligns Croatia with EU Regulation 2024/3110, which establishes harmonised rules for placing construction products on the EU market and replaces the previous framework under Regulation 305/2011.

According to the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets, the new law ensures Croatia’s full participation in shaping EU-wide standards, while enabling national institutions and companies to take part in technical assessments of construction products.

Digital passport system

A central feature of the reform is the introduction of a digital passport for construction products. The system will enable the electronic exchange of information in a machine-readable format, ensuring reliable, consistent and transparent data is accessible throughout the entire supply chain.

Each product will carry a unique digital identifier, such as a QR code, linked to a database containing comprehensive information.

This includes manufacturer details, technical specifications, certification, sustainability data, safety information and instructions for installation, use and maintenance.

Stakeholders including regulators, designers, contractors and distributors will be able to access this information instantly, improving oversight and decision-making.

The system is also expected to support updates in real time, for example when product specifications change or items are withdrawn from the market, ensuring accurate tracking across a product’s lifecycle.

Industry representatives say the digital passport represents one of the most significant changes introduced by the new law. It is expected to enhance transparency, streamline compliance checks and reduce administrative burdens.

However, businesses will need to adapt. Manufacturers will be required to invest in systems for creating, storing and updating digital data, while designers and contractors will need to integrate this information into their workflows.

Importers and distributors will also face stricter verification requirements before products are placed on the market.

Authorities, meanwhile, will need to develop the technical and organisational capacity to monitor compliance effectively.

The reform is also expected to contribute to broader environmental goals. By improving access to data on materials and lifecycle performance, the system will support better reuse, recycling and disposal of construction products.

The construction sector currently generates more than 35% of total waste in the European Union, highlighting the importance of improved tracking and resource management.

For investors and end users, the new framework promises greater legal certainty, improved quality control and enhanced safety, reducing the risk of unsuitable materials being used in construction projects.

The transition to the new system will be phased in gradually, with full implementation expected by 8 January 2040. Further details on the digital passport system will be defined through delegated and implementing acts by the European Commission.