Stockholm Advances Toxic-Free Housing Through Innovative Logbook System in NonHazCity3 Project

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN — As part of the NonHazCity3 initiative to reduce hazardous substances in construction and protect both the aquatic environment and human health, the City of Stockholm is showcasing a leading example of sustainable building practices through its Oldmästaren residential project in Bromma, featuring 87 new apartments designed with top-tier chemical safety and environmental performance.

Aiming to improve indoor air quality and achieve Miljöbyggnad Gold certification, Stockholm is relying on long-standing national tools and best available techniques to ensure climate-friendly and tox-free building materials.

Nationwide Logbook System at the Core of Stockholm’s Strategy

Stockholm’s approach is rooted in its extensive experience with the Miljöbyggnad green building certification system and the widespread use of the national material assessment platform Byggvarubedömningen (BVB).

The BVB logbook system evaluates construction products based on chemical composition, lifecycle impact, and supply-chain sustainability. Materials are flagged using a traffic light system—green for recommended, yellow for accepted, and red for products to avoid. This accessible digital tool allows municipalities, developers, and suppliers to select safer, more sustainable materials throughout the construction process.

Traceability and Control for Healthier Homes

In the Oldmästaren project, the logbook plays a central role in controlling hazardous substances, with special attention placed on materials located closest to residents. As documentation requirements have expanded over time, the BVB system has enabled the city to ensure that the products used meet the highest sustainability criteria.

Through the digital logbook, suppliers can verify whether their products qualify under the required standards, while project teams gain full traceability of material choices. This transparency supports compliance with procurement requirements, certification processes, and long-term sustainability goals.

Supporting Circularity and Future Reuse

One of the major benefits highlighted by Stockholm during the NHC3 project is the logbook’s ability to track materials across the lifespan of a building. This makes it possible to identify safer substitutes for hazardous materials used in earlier projects and simplifies future reuse of building components, since the chemical content and lifecycle data are already documented.

The success of the BVB system in municipalities like Stockholm and Västerås has sparked interest among other regions participating in the NonHazCity3 project, who see strong potential for expanding similar logbook principles throughout the Baltic Sea region.

A Scalable Model for Sustainable Construction

Stockholm’s Oldmästaren case demonstrates how transparent documentation, rigorous chemical assessments, and structured certification frameworks can drive the transition to safer and more sustainable buildings. The city’s commitment to tox-free, circular, and climate-conscious materials makes it an exemplary model for municipalities seeking to improve public health and environmental protection through better construction practices.

Further detailed best-practice descriptions can be found in NonHazCity3 Output 2.2.

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