On December 3, 2024, Italy published the updated Decreto CAM Edilizia 2025 in the official gazette – a regulatory turning point that redefines the rules for public construction contracts. The Criteri Ambientali Minimi (CAM), mandatory minimum environmental requirements, will henceforth apply to the window and door sector as well as to all materials, components, and hardware. For manufacturers, traders, and planners, this means: anyone who wants to participate in public tenders in Italy in the future must demonstrably meet higher ecological standards. The regulation is more than an administrative hurdle – it also opens market opportunities for providers who already rely on sustainable manufacturing and transparent supply chains.
What does the CAM Building Decree 2025 regulate?
The Decreto CAM Edilizia updates the minimum criteria introduced in 2017 and now systematically extends them to additional product categories. At its core, the regulation requires public authorities to procure only products and services that meet defined environmental standards when awarding construction, renovation, and maintenance work. The criteria cover the entire lifecycle: raw material extraction, production, transport, installation, use, and disposal.
For the window and door sector, this concretely means: manufacturers must henceforth demonstrate that wood used comes from certified sources – such as FSC or PEFC. Additionally, limit values for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paints and coatings are being tightened. The recyclability of frames, profiles, and hardware is also coming into focus: composite materials that cannot be separated by type will be disadvantaged in the future.
New requirements for materials and components
Frame and sash profile manufacturers are particularly affected. Wood-aluminum systems, such as those offered by Schüco or Roto in their portfolios, must henceforth provide complete material declarations – including proof of origin for aluminum and wood. Aluminum must consist of a defined minimum proportion of secondary material; for wood, proof of origin according to EUTR (EU Timber Regulation) is mandatory.
Wood protective coatings and sealings are also coming under scrutiny. The decree awards bonus points in tenders for biocide-free or water-based systems. Manufacturers relying on solvent-based paint systems must expect point deductions – or adapt their formulations. Providers like Remmers and Osmo, who already rely on water-based or natural oils, should be able to leverage a competitive advantage here.
Hardware, accessories, and sealing systems
For the first time, the CAM criteria target hardware and accessories. Hinges, locks, handles, and seals must henceforth withstand durability testing and be repairable. The decree also requires that replacement parts remain available for at least ten years after production ends. For hardware providers like Hettich, Julius Blum, or Salice, this means: spare parts logistics and service structures become a competitive factor.
Sealing systems made of EPDM or silicone must demonstrably be free of hazardous substances and must not contain persistent organic pollutants (POP). Thermally insulating elements in aluminum profiles – such as polyamide bars – must be recyclable or at least thermally recoverable.
What manufacturers must do now
The implementation deadline is tight. Public tenders published from spring 2025 onwards must already take the new CAM criteria into account. Manufacturers active or planning to become active in the Italian market should prioritize the following steps:
Establish supply chain transparency: Every piece of wood used must be traceable to its origin. This affects not only solid wood but also veneers, veneered panel materials, and laminated wood. Companies without FSC or PEFC certification must obtain it as soon as possible or provide alternative evidence through due diligence systems.
Upgrade product documentation: Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) become a de facto market access ticket. Those who do not declare their products according to ISO 14025 and EN 15804 will fail in tenders. In parallel, the decree demands detailed technical data sheets on repairability and recyclability – information that many manufacturers have not systematically documented to date.
Adapt formulations: Paint, stain, and adhesive systems must be tested for VOC limits and biocide-free status. Products that do not meet these requirements should be revised or replaced with compliant alternatives. Collaboration with specialized chemical manufacturers is advisable here.
Develop a spare parts strategy: The ten-year spare parts availability requirement necessitates forward-looking inventory management and clear product lifecycles. Manufacturers who have previously relied on short innovation cycles and rapid product changes must rethink their strategy – or develop modular systems where core components remain compatible long-term.
Market opportunities through early action
The decree creates not only obligations but also differentiation opportunities. Manufacturers who already have EPDs, transparent supply chains, and sustainable materials can position themselves strategically in tenders. Public authorities will henceforth not only need to query minimum criteria but may also award bonus points for exceeded standards – for example, for Cradle-to-Cradle certifications, carbon-neutral production, or particularly durable designs.
The regulation becomes particularly interesting for suppliers of wood windows and doors from domestic production. Short transportation distances, regional value creation, and transparent wood sourcing can be leveraged as competitive advantages – provided they are systematically documented and communicated. Manufacturers cooperating with local sawmills and certified forestry operations can score points here.
Competitive implications
The new rules are likely to increase consolidation pressure in the industry. Smaller manufacturers without their own certification and documentation structures will struggle to provide the required evidence by the deadline. At the same time, the decree opens opportunities for specialized service providers: certification consultants, EPD creators, and supply chain auditors should expect rising demand.
The hardware sector could also realign. Manufacturers focusing on durable, repairable systems will be favored over budget suppliers. This could reinforce the trend toward high-quality, low-maintenance hardware – an environment in which established brands like Hettich or Häfele can play to their strengths.
Regulatory context: Is Italy a pioneer?
Italy is not the only EU country introducing mandatory environmental criteria for public procurement. The European Commission already published voluntary GPP criteria (Green Public Procurement) for construction products in 2021; several member states are working on national implementations. The Italian decree could serve as a blueprint – particularly for France, Spain, and Germany, where similar discussions are underway.
For internationally active manufacturers, this means: investing in CAM-compliant product documentation pays off beyond the Italian market alone. Those who meet standards today will be better equipped for further national regulations tomorrow – and can position themselves early as a sustainable provider.
Conclusion: Pressure to act and room for maneuver
The Decreto CAM Edilizia 2025 marks a turning point for the Italian window and door market. The new requirements are demanding, implementation deadlines are tight. Manufacturers who act now can not only ensure compliance but also position themselves as pioneers in sustainability. Those who hesitate risk exclusion from a significant market segment – and miss the opportunity to prepare early for forthcoming EU-wide regulations.
The message is clear: sustainability is becoming a market access requirement rather than a marketing topic. Companies that make their supply chains transparent, professionalize product documentation, and rely on durable, repairable systems will benefit in the long term. The decree is less a burden than a catalyst for long-overdue modernization of the industry.
