Choosing natural building materials is no longer enough. Today, designers also have to demonstrate their environmental credentials with precise technical documentation. The Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) are the main tool used for this purpose in Italian public procurement. Alongside CAM, there are also voluntary rating systems such as LEED and the ITACA Protocol. The Biomattone® System is made from natural hemp- and lime-based materials and is designed to meet these requirements from the design stage onwards.
What are the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) in construction?
The Minimum Environmental Criteria are environmental requirements established by the Italian Ministry of the Environment for public-sector procurement. Public contracting authorities must apply them to contracts for works, supplies and services. In the construction sector, CAM for Buildings relate in particular to construction materials, their recycled-material content and the supporting environmental documentation. A material that meets these criteria therefore simplifies the work of those who must comply with tender requirements.
Biomattone® and compliance with the Minimum Environmental Criteria
Within the Biomattone® System, the Intonaco e Canapa product has a recycled-material content of more than 20% by product weight. This figure is certified in accordance with UNI/PdR 88:2020, consistently with the Minimum Environmental Criteria defined by Decree No. 256 of 23 June 2022. For designers working on a project subject to CAM requirements, this means being able to rely on a material that is already aligned with the applicable requirements, without having to look for alternatives or later additions.
This figure complements the system’s other environmental information. This includes the LCA study and Environmental Product Declaration described in the article dedicated to EPD and LCA. Together, these documents provide a complete framework for the environmental assessment of a project.
What are LEED and the ITACA Protocol?
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognised building sustainability certification system. It assigns a score to a building across different categories, including energy efficiency, indoor air quality and the materials used. The ITACA Protocol is a rating system developed in Italy and adopted by several Regions to assess the sustainability of public and private buildings. Here too, the assessment considers multiple aspects of the building, rather than individual materials alone.
Both LEED and the ITACA Protocol assess the building as a whole. For this reason, an individual material does not receive its own score within these systems. Instead, it contributes to specific assessment categories together with all the other design choices.
Why natural materials matter in environmental rating systems
Even if a material does not have its own LEED or ITACA score, its characteristics still affect the building’s final result. A low-environmental-impact material still matters. If it has documented recycled-material content and an Environmental Product Declaration is available, it provides useful data for categories related to materials and resources. With its LCA data and compliance with the Minimum Environmental Criteria, the Biomattone® System therefore fits naturally into this type of assessment.
It should nevertheless be remembered that a building’s overall score depends on many variables: the building services, the envelope, orientation and technological systems. The construction material is therefore an important element, but it is not the only one.
Useful documentation for designers: EPD, CAM and technical data sheets
For those who need to document the sustainability of a project, the Biomattone® System provides several documents. These include the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) described in the dedicated article. This is complemented by the recycled-material content data for Intonaco e Canapa and the technical data sheets for each individual product. Depending on the chosen assessment system, this documentation can be attached to the building application or certification submission.
Frequently asked questions about the Minimum Environmental Criteria, LEED and the ITACA Protocol
Are the Minimum Environmental Criteria mandatory?
Yes, for public contracting authorities in contracts for works, supplies and services that fall within their scope of application.
Can a material have its own LEED score?
No. LEED assesses the entire building. A material contributes to certain assessment categories together with all the other design choices.
Which Biomattone® System product is CAM-certified?
Intonaco e Canapa, with a recycled-material content of more than 20% by weight, certified in accordance with UNI/PdR 88:2020.
For a complete overview of the system’s environmental data, see the article dedicated to EPD and LCA. Technical data sheets for each product are available in the dedicated section. For tailored advice on a project subject to CAM, LEED or the ITACA Protocol, you can contact the TecnoCanapa team.
