Småhus, flerbostadshus och förskolebyggnader - Svanen

Nordisk Miljømerking
Hus, leiligheter og barnehager 089/versjon 2
Høringssammenstilling, oppdatert 10. august 2010
Copper can accumulate in organisms and affect grow and reproduction of simple aquatic
animals.
The term "copper accumulates" has no ecotoxicological meaning, because copper is an
essential element and the uptake/accumulation varies for different species and life stages,
depending on nutritional needs.
In the copper risk assessment, it has been concluded that organisms have developed well
controlled homeostatic mechanisms to appropriately regulate the internal copper
concentrations in accordance to nutritional needs. TCNES/SCHER agreed on the key
conclusions: “No regional risks for the aquatic (freshwater and marine) and terrestrial
environments and no concern for secondary poisoning”.
Emissions of copper and copper compounds occur during extraction, primary
production, use and disposal.
Emissions of copper ions and compounds do occur during extraction, primary production,
use and disposal. Copper is a natural element and therefore natural releases of copper are
a continuous process. Considering that copper is an essential element, it is therefore
critical to assess whether these releases cause adverse effects in the receiving
environment.
In the copper risk assessment, it has been concluded that the current emissions from
primary production, use and disposal are generally safe for man and the environment. The
industry has invested continuously to reduce these emissions. For the Nordic industries
and Nordic usage, no risks have been observed in the copper risk assessment.
Copper is a limited resource and with current rates of consumption there is only enough
ore for 35 years of consumption [MM 2007].
This is a common misconception. There is no clear position on the global reserves of
copper. Ore prospecting is expensive and is carried out by individual mining companies
in line with their own market forecasts for demand and metal price. One of the most
reliable estimates is perhaps that of the US Geological Survey, which estimated the
amount of non-discovered copper deposits to be 3 billion tons, which at current usage
would be sufficient for well over 150 years. The copper from claddings and roofs can be
recycled 100% without any loss of quality. Such applications also have very long life
spans of at least decades, if not centuries. Copper roofs and claddings are therefore a very
sustainable use of copper and, from a life cycle perspective, copper is a very desirable
building material.
Comments from Nordic Eccolabelling
Thank you for your comments. The requirements have been altered for zinc.
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