Reducing hazardous substances in construction to safeguard the aquatic environment, protect human health and achieve more sustainable buildings  

The overarching goal of NHC3 is to reduce emissions of hazardous substances from construction materials, buildings & construction sites and
protect the (aquatic) environment and human health. NHC3 wants to make construction materials & building management climate-neutral,
circular AND TOXFREE.

We will develop a system of solutions at three levels:

• strategic solutions for management procedures of construction
  and buildings (recommendations, policy instruments, standards);
• practical/technical solutions for construction (technical guidance, fact sheet);
• communication & education solutions (knowledge campaigns, training material).

Specific objectives:

• Map the chemicals of concern in construction materials/sites and develop the NHC Catalogue of Construction Materials including use/avoidance advice, info on alternatives and criteria for impacts;
• Improve/revise the Swedish BVB (construction product assessment) system and make it applicable for partners in other countries as tool for transparency and traceability of HS helping control of HS along the value chain of the construction sector;
• Assess building certification systems and make proposals for better integration of HS aspects;
• Develop and promote chemical-smart procurement as effective tool for managing HS at early stage of construction projects
• Elaborate training modules for municipal and business stakeholders on HS in construction materials, building processes and use of policy instruments; attach it to the existing NonHazCity training portal hosted by Riga City Council and carry out a series of training courses;
• Accompanying live construction in NHC partner towns: design, procurement & construction of toxfree, circular and climate-neutral municipal buildings, private houses and DIY renovations of different stakeholders;
• Carry out a comprehensive info campaign for all target groups;
• Bring outputs and findings from NHC3 local to national & international level;
• Launch NHC3 award and transfer solutions wide.