2025 Building Materials Export “Stumbling Blocks”: Policies of These European Union (EU) Countries Need Caution

In 2025, the EU market can be described as "fraught with hidden dangers" for construction material export companies. Influenced by factors such as rising trade protectionism, stricter environmental requirements, and geopolitical frictions, the policies of some EU countries have posed significant obstacles to Chinese construction material exports. Below is an analysis of the policy situation in some typical countries.

1. United Kingdom: Tariff Increases and Post-Brexit Policy Barriers

After Brexit, the UK continued to use the EU's tariff framework, imposing anti-dumping duties on Chinese products such as steel and ceramics. For instance, Chinese ceramic products face high tariff costs when entering the UK market, significantly reducing their price competitiveness there. Chinese ceramic companies that originally relied on the UK market have seen a sharp decline in orders, forcing some to seek other overseas markets or intensify efforts to expand in the domestic market.

2. Poland: Dual Pressure from Anti-Dumping Duties and Investment Restrictions

Under the EU's unified tariff framework, Poland has imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on Chinese photovoltaic products. Additionally, Poland is cooperating with the United States' "Clean Network" initiative to restrict Chinese companies' investments and use of equipment locally. This not only affects the export of Chinese photovoltaic construction materials but also hinders the market expansion and industrial layout of Chinese construction materials companies in Poland. For instance, some Chinese companies planning to invest in photovoltaic construction material production projects in Poland have had to put their plans on hold due to policy restrictions.

3. Germany: Strict Environmental Protection and Certification Requirements

As one of the core countries of the European Union, Germany has very strict environmental and certification requirements for building materials. Germany has implemented stringent building energy efficiency standards, requiring all building materials to meet low-carbon and environmental protection requirements. Additionally, Germany requires all building materials entering its market to have CE certification, which increases the certification and time costs for Chinese building materials companies. For example, some Chinese building materials companies have been unable to enter the German market due to delays in completing CE certification, resulting in the loss of a large number of orders.

4. France: Expansion of the EPR System and Market Access Restrictions

France has long been at the forefront of environmental protection policies. In 2025, France will extend the EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) system to roofing materials. This means that Chinese building material companies will not only have to bear the production costs of their products, but also pay additional fees for the recycling and disposal of these products. In addition, France has set strict market access thresholds for imported building materials, requiring all products to comply with French construction regulations and environmental standards. This has significantly increased the difficulty for Chinese building material companies to expand in the French market.

5. Netherlands: Material Passport System and Carbon Footprint Tracing

The "material passport" system in the Netherlands covers 85% of new construction projects and requires all building materials to provide detailed carbon footprint information. This system imposes higher requirements on Chinese building material export companies, which need to strictly control carbon emissions during the production process and provide relevant carbon footprint reports. Additionally, the Netherlands has set strict customs inspection and certification procedures for imported building materials, which increases the clearance time and cost for Chinese building materials.

6. Italy: Building Material Recycling Rate and Building Permit Approval

Italy has incorporated the recycling rate of building materials as a mandatory criterion in building permit approvals, requiring all construction projects to use a certain proportion of recycled materials. This poses a significant challenge for Chinese building material enterprises, as the production costs of recycled materials are relatively high and the technical requirements are also more complex. In addition, Italy has imposed strict quality inspection and certification procedures on imported building materials, which has greatly increased the difficulty for Chinese building material companies to expand in the Italian market.

In the 2025 building materials export market, policies in some EU countries have indeed brought numerous challenges to Chinese enterprises. In response to these challenges, Chinese building materials export companies need to actively strengthen technological research and development, enhance product added value, and reduce carbon emissions to meet the EU's environmental and certification requirements. At the same time, enterprises should also diversify their overseas markets to reduce reliance on the single EU market and mitigate the risks brought by trade protectionism.