Between Buy Clean mandates, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the pace of environmental regulation is accelerating fast.
If you’re a U.S. or Canadian distributor of ceramic or glass materials, here’s how to future-proof your business by staying ahead of ESG-related regulatory changes.
Top Regulatory Shifts Affecting Material Suppliers
Buy Clean California & Federal Buy Clean Act
Requires EPDs and CO₂e thresholds for glass, concrete, steel, and insulation
Ceramic-based products like tile, precast blocks, and panels are next in line
CBAM (EU)
Imposes tariffs on high-carbon imports (including ceramic tile and glass) into the EU
Requires detailed emissions disclosures from suppliers
Inflation Reduction Act (U.S.)
Offers procurement incentives only for materials with low embodied carbon
Public infrastructure must source from vendors with verified ESG disclosures
Proactive Steps Distributors Can Take
Get EPDs for High-Volume SKUs
Partner with suppliers to obtain Type III EPDs
Prioritize SKUs used in public, institutional, or large-scale commercial jobs
Label Carbon-Intensive SKUs
Show buyers what’s high-carbon and what’s low-carbon
Help them shift toward compliant products proactively
Track Scope 3 and Freight Emissions
Offer emissions estimates per shipment or pallet
Include these in bid packages or project ESG reports
How to Use This as a Competitive Edge
Position your catalog as regulatory-ready
Help customers avoid compliance risk
Offer webinars or briefing docs for your clients’ procurement teams
Remember:
Regulators are catching up—but buyers are already ahead. If you’re not ESG-prepared now, you’ll be outbid later.
