Use of EPDs under Italy’s Updated CAM Requirements
EPDs intended for use in Italian public procurement under the updated CAM must be verified by an Accredited Certification Body, as EPDs verified solely by Individual Verifiers are no longer eligible. EPD owners targeting the Italian market should assess their compliance needs and engage qualified ACBs where required.
Following the recent update of Italy’s Minimum Environmental Criteria (Criteri Ambientali Minimi, CAM) for construction, adopted on 24 November 2025 and in force since 2 February 2026, the Secretariat of the International EPD System (IES) provides clarification on the eligibility of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) under CAM.
CAM define mandatory environmental requirements for public procurement in Italy, ensuring that products and services, particularly in the construction and furniture sectors, meet stringent sustainability criteria across their life cycle.
Within the International EPD System, EPDs may be verified by either an Accredited Certification Body (ACB) or an approved Individual Verifier. However, under CAM §2.1.2, only EPDs verified by an ACB are eligible for CAM compliance. EPDs verified solely by Individual Verifiers cannot be used as valid documentation to demonstrate recycled, recovered, or by-product content in Italian public tenders issued after the entry into force of the new CAM.
Guidance for EPD Owners
CAM apply across a wide range of product and service categories, including furniture, construction, textiles, vehicles, energy services, public lighting, cleaning services, waste management, and catering, among others. (For more information, see CAM currently in force by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security: CAM vigenti - Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza energetica)
EPD owners are encouraged to assess their specific needs regarding the use of EPDs in the Italian market:
Where CAM compliance is required, EPD owners should engage an Accredited Certification Body (ACB), preferably one with experience in the Italian market
Where CAM compliance is not required, EPD owners may continue to work with either Individual Verifiers or Accredited Certification Bodies
The Secretariat provides a comprehensive list of Accredited Certification Bodies authorised to perform EPD verification within the International EPD System. This includes 10 ACBs based in Italy and 14 additional ACBs globally. The full list is available here: Accredited Certification Bodies. EPD owners are encouraged to select an ACB based on their specific product and market requirements. When requesting quotations, manufacturers are advised to contact two to three ACBs. Contact details are available via the EPD Portal upon login.
Accredited Certification Bodies operate independently and without direct involvement from the Secretariat in commercial engagements. Accordingly, the Secretariat does not participate in the contractual process, which is managed directly between the manufacturer and the selected ACB, from initial contact through to the signing of agreements for verification or certification services.
