ACT is the scalable low-carbon cement solution

Standards and Norms

Cement and concrete standards are the foundation of safe, durable, and reliable construction. In the EU, these regulations define how materials are specified and used across member states. While cement standards are harmonized, concrete standards remain largely national, reflecting local materials, climates, and construction methods.

Delivering innovation to the market

Meeting recognised standards ensure trust and confidence among designers, specifiers, and insurers. These benchmarks act provide a gateway to market enable materials to be trusted and integrated into mainstream construction
A woman in blue work clothes operates a machine, focused on her task in a lab environment

The Challenge: Outdated Standards Slowing Innovation

Despite their importance, current cement and concrete standards are struggling to keep pace with technological progress, particularly in the EU.

Today’s urgent need for low-carbon cement solutions, such as Ecocem’s ACT technology, is held back by slow, fragmented regulatory processes. ACT has the potential to cut CO₂ emissions by up to 70% by 2030, yet outdated approval systems delay its adoption, putting Europe behind global markets in sustainable construction innovation.

A New Approach: Performance-Based Standards

To unlock innovation and meet EU climate targets, Europe must shift from recipe-based to performance-based standards.
Traditional norms focus on prescriptive formulas rather than actual outcomes—a system that disadvantages breakthrough technologies. The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) Acquis process provides a chance to modernize these rules.

However, unless the updated EN 197 cement standard expands its scope, innovative binders will continue facing long and costly approval routes.

Encouragingly, the working group on EN 206 concrete standard is now underway. This presents a critical opportunity to push for harmonized, performance-based standards that enable market access for cleaner construction solutions.

Cement Standardisation Progress

ACT must achieve formal recognition under key cement regulations across Europe, the UK, and the U.S.
Regulation Progress Expected delivery
EU Achieved a European Technical Assessment (ETA) in December 2023, creating a new cement norm under EU law. Achieved in 2023
EN 197 Standard

ACT is included in the European Commission’s Standardization Request, currently under revision. Listed under the product category:

  • CEM VI B (S-LL): 18–35% clinker
 Expected finalization of revised EN 197 by 2028
US Achieved ASTM C1157 certification in August 2025, confirming its performance, durability, and scalability for use across the U.S. Achieved in 2025
UK ACT is advancing through the BSI Flex 350 framework, with its first UK deployment completed in Wembley in early 2025. 2025

Concrete Standardisation Progress

Beyond cement approval, ACT must also be certified for use in concrete applications, requiring country-specific standardization efforts
Country Progress
France ATEX certification expected end-2025, allowing use in 80% of structural concrete applications.
UK Deployable under BSI Flex 350, providing a compliance route for novel materials.
US ACT has achieved ASTM C1157 certification and is now aligned with standard U.S. concrete practices.
EU The CPR Acquis process to update EN 206 is underway, with completion set for 2028. In the meantime, Ecocem is working on durability assessments in various markets to validate ACT’s performance for inclusion in national EN 206 annexes.

High-performance, low-carbon now

By adapting to performance-based standards, Europe can unlock faster innovation, accelerate market access, and drive low-carbon construction. Now is the time to modernize cement and concrete regulations to support sustainable growth while maintaining safety and durability.