DAPconstrucción: the Spain‑centric EPD route, explained
Selling into Spain or manufacturing there often means one simple question: which program operator should host your EN 15804 EPD so buyers accept it fast? Here is what DAPconstrucción, administered by Cateb, actually offers and when it makes sense commercially.
What DAPconstrucción is
DAPconstrucción is a construction‑focused EPD program run by Cateb in Barcelona. It issues Type III ecolabels for building products under ISO 14025 and EN 15804, with verification handled by approved independent verifiers. The label shown on the PDF is DAPcons, which many Spanish owners and specifiers recognize.
Standards alignment and validity
The program is aligned to UNE‑EN 15804:2012+A2:2020, which is the Spanish transposition of EN 15804 A2 for construction products (Cateb, 2025). Published DAPcons carry a validity of 5 years, with a mandatory review if process or technology changes push impacts about 5 to 10 percent during that period (Cateb, 2025).
Recognition footprint
Cateb is listed by ECO Platform as an Established ECO EPD Programme Operator. That status helps with cross‑border acceptance across European markets where ECO EPD marks are commonly recognized. For Iberian manufacturers that export, this can shorten the back‑and‑forth on submittals.
Digital distribution, not just a PDF
DAPconstrucción emphasizes digitisation so product data can land in national and European reference databases and be pulled into BIM workflows. That reduces manual re‑entry, lowers the risk of transcription errors, and makes your numbers discoverable where designers actually search (Cateb, 2025).
Where it fits commercially
For projects tendered in Spain, a DAPcons on the cover page signals local familiarity. Public owners and large developers expect EN 15804 A2 alignment, so teams can evaluate embodied impacts consistently across bids. That reduces substitution risk late in the process when carbon thresholds must be met.
When DAPconstrucción makes the most sense
- Your primary sales are in Spain or Catalonia, and submittal reviewers prefer a locally administered label.
- You plan to reuse product data in BIM libraries and want programmatic distribution rather than one‑off uploads.
- You need EN 15804 A2 today, with a path to ECO Platform recognition for EU work.
How the process usually runs
Choose or confirm an appropriate PCR, complete the LCA study, then submit for independent verification under the program’s General Instructions. After approval, the EPD is published and listed as DAPcons, typically in Spanish and Catalan, with an English summary available on key pages. Exact timelines vary by product scope and data readiness.
Practical watch‑outs
Make sure your bill of materials maps cleanly to the PCR, and that foreground data aligns to a clear reference year. If you change formulations or energy contracts mid‑cycle, track the delta so you can decide whether the 5 to 10 percent trigger for review applies (Cateb, 2025). Keep language versions consistent so nothing gets lost in translation, it sounds obvious but it is definately worth checking.
Choosing an operator with less friction
Pick based on where you sell, where the EPD must persuade reviewers, and how easily your data will move into the digital places buyers use. DAPconstrucción covers Spain well, aligns to EN 15804 A2, and connects into BIM and database channels. If your pipeline leans into the rest of Europe, ECO Platform recognition helps the same PDF travel further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DAPconstrucción follow EN 15804 A2 and how long are EPDs valid under this program?
Yes. DAPconstrucción is aligned to UNE‑EN 15804:2012+A2:2020 and DAPcons are valid for 5 years, with a review required if impact changes of roughly 5–10% occur during that period (Cateb, 2025).
Is DAPconstrucción recognized outside Spain?
Cateb is listed by ECO Platform as an Established ECO EPD Programme Operator, which supports broader recognition of EN 15804 EPDs across Europe (ECO Platform, 2025).
What is the main advantage beyond a downloadable PDF?
DAPconstrucción emphasises digitisation so product data flows into national and European reference databases and can be used in BIM contexts, reducing manual re‑entry (Cateb, 2025).
About the Author
With a passion for sustainability and a love for complex data, Toby helps manufacturers efficiently collect data from across their organization and get their EPDs done right. He’s especially interested in how AI can support human expertise, helping R&D and factory teams work faster, smarter, and with less friction.
