23-May-2025

Openframe now supports the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for new construction and renovation across the Nordics

Openframe now supports the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for new construction and renovation across the Nordics

We have good news for all of you working with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel: Openframe now supports the certification of both new construction and renovation – directly in the platform.

This means you no longer need to spend time decoding long manuals or figuring out which requirements and tasks actually apply to your project. In Openframe, you simply select the Nordic country and the relevant building type, and the platform automatically presents the right criteria and tasks.

Why is it smart?

Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification is complex and varies from country to country. Some criteria only apply to certain types of buildings, which often creates unnecessary extra work when trying to manage the process and keep track of what is mandatory, optional and documentation required.

Openframe makes the process much clearer. With tasks laid out as workflows and clear requirements and documentation, it’s much easier for teams to collaborate and maintain an overview – even across national borders.

You get:

• Automatically adapt requirements to country and building type
• Clear structure and roles in the certification process
• Easy access to documentation requirements
• Effective communication across disciplines

What is the Nordic Swan Ecolabel in construction?

Nordic Swan – or the Nordic Swan Ecolabel – is the official Nordic Ecolabel. In construction, the certification is about ensuring high sustainability throughout the building’s life cycle: from material selection and energy consumption to indoor climate and recycling.

It’s a certification with high credibility among authorities, residents and investors alike – and it supports both climate goals and social considerations.

The certification has strict requirements, and that’s what makes it valuable. It cuts through the greenwashing and proves that the building meets some of the world’s strictest environmental standards.

Fact box: Key requirements in Nordic Ecolabel version 3.1

1. Low energy consumption and CO₂ impact
2. The building must comply with stricter requirements for energy consumption and CO₂ emissions – including documentation of energy needs and climate impact throughout the life cycle.
3. Strict requirements for chemicals and materials
4. Comprehensive requirements for materials and chemical products – including bans on many substances and requirements for declaration in the Construction List.
5. Indoor climate and comfort
6. Focus on daylight, ventilation, acoustics and emissions. For example, formaldehyde and VOC levels must be below set limits.
7. Waste management and resource efficiency
8. Requirements for sorting, documentation and management of construction waste – and incentives to use recycled materials.
9. Quality assurance throughout the construction process
10. Control and quality assurance requirements from design to delivery.
11. Tightness and moisture protection
12. The building must meet airtightness and moisture protection requirements to ensure energy efficiency and durability.