European construction sector representatives join Commission and Member States to co-sign the Joint Initiative on Standardisation

"We offer the expert contribution of our members for the benefit of European standardisation to better respond to both the practical needs of the businesses in our sector and the legal certainty that is required for the use of standards" agree the CEOs of the European federations of construction material producers and construction enterprises.

The representatives of three European construction sector associations today joined Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Amsterdam, to co-sign the Joint Initiative on Standardisation. This initiative sets out actions to modernise, prioritise and speed up the delivery of standards by the end of 2019, respecting the needs of their users. It kicks off a dialogue between all the stakeholders involved in standardisation: European and national standardisation organisations, industry, civil society, Member States and the Commission who gathered at the Europe Building to celebrate the agreement, in a ceremony organised by the Dutch Presidency.

Standardisation has a significant impact on the construction sector and the development of the Joint Initiative on Standardisation has been supported by three sectoral federations, namely Construction Products Europe, representing the manufacturers of construction products, as well as EBC and FIEC, together representing construction enterprises of all sizes – from one person micro firms and SMEs to large globally active contractors – across Europe.

Christophe Sykes, Director General of Construction Products Europe says that “Standardisation helps increase the efficiency of our industry and for construction products it also has a regulatory purpose.  Finding the right balance between these two elements is key for a healthy European construction products market.”

Riccardo Viaggi, Secretary General of EBC points out that “SMEs are profoundly impacted by standardisation. We welcome the fact that the Joint Initiative encompasses such a large representation of stakeholders – including the least represented – and gives new momentum to standardisation. It is important to ensure that the actions suggested in the initiative are implemented, respecting the specific needs of the construction sector."

Ulrich Paetzold, Director General of FIEC stresses that “in addition, it is important to ensure that European standards are not designed only to comply with the mandatory requirements of the Construction Products Regulation but also to ensure that all other information necessary for construction enterprises to select the right products is available, so that they can be sure to respect their statutory, technical and contractual obligations”

As part of the Joint Initiative, the three construction sector associations intend to develop a specific action later in the year, to improve the quality of standardisation in construction.  This action will complement the Joint Initiative and will deliver specific improvements, amongst other things by aiming to reduce overlapping measures and fill existing gaps.  The collaboration within the Joint Initiative, between these three sector associations will provide a good basis for mutually beneficial solutions benefitting both the sector and its public or private clients.

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Note for the Editor:

Construction Products Europe
is an international non-profit making association made up of national and European associations that represent small and medium- size enterprises and world-leading  companies. CPE aims to promote the European construction  industry,  to share information  on EU legislation and standardisation and to provide input in all European construction-related  initiatives.
Press Contact: Oscar Nieto / e-mail: oscar.nieto@construction-products.eu

EBC - European Builders Confederation
Established in 1990, the European Builders Confederation - EBC - is a European professional organisation representing national associations of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises working in the construction sector. EBC is a member of UEAPME (the European association of micro-enterprises and SMEs), on behalf of which it chairs the UEAPME Construction Forum.
Press Contact: Riccardo Viaggi / e-mail: riccardo.viaggi@ebc-construction.eu

FIEC -  European Construction Industry Federation
Established in 1905, represents via its 29 National Member Federations in 26 countries (23 EU & EFTA and Turkey) construction enterprises of all sizes, i.e. small and medium-sized enterprises as well as “global players”, carrying out all forms of building and civil engineering activities. FIEC is the Social Partner representing employers in the European Social Dialogue of the construction industry.
Press Contact: Sue Arundale / e-mail: info@fiec.eu