Technical commission (TEC)

who's who

The new Circular Economy Action Plan was published on 11 March 2020. It builds on the previous Action Plan published in 2016. The measures for construction are outlined:

  • Strategy for a Sustainable Built Environment by 2021
  • Recycled content requirements in revised Construction Products Regulation
  • Promoting Circular Economy Principles for Buildings Design and Digital Logbook
  • Level(s) voluntary assessment framework for environmental performance of buildings to “integrate life cycle assessment in public procurement”
  • Revision of material recovery targets
  • Rehabilitation of brownfield sites and dealing with excavated soils
  • No specific information on the Renovation Wave

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic

FIEC is committed to the Circular Economy, the achievement of which can be accelerated by the efforts of our industry. Although the above measures are outlined in the new plan, and in spite of support, including a number of voluntary initiatives developed by the European Commission with industry stakeholders, many obstacles remain, such as the lack of adequate recycling facilities located near construction sites. Furthermore, the status of the proposed Strategy for a Sustainable Built Environment is unclear at the time of writing.

 

 

Actions and key dates
11/12/2019
European Green Deal published
11/03/2020
Circular Economy Action Plan published
01/07/2020
FIEC Position Paper on Circular Economy Action Plan published
Q4 2021
Possible legislative proposal for revision of Waste Framework Directive

 

The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) 305/2011 regulates the placing on the EU market of construction products. Amongst other things, CE Marking is applied to products in the framework of harmonised standards and a Declaration of Performance is required to accompany the product.

A revision of the CPR was already envisaged by the European Commission and this intention was repeated in the European Green Deal in 2019, with some more detail in the new Circular Economy Action Plan (see separate fact sheet).

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic

The CE Mark in the context of the CPR is widely misunderstood and contractors need more information than is provided in the accompanying Declaration of Performance. Over the years, FIEC has been lobbying for improvements to protect contractors from the legal uncertainty that exists and there have been several discussions regarding a possible revision of the CPR. The form that this might take has been the subject of many meetings and several studies have been undertaken. The European Commission’s proposal for indicative options for the future of the CPR, published early in 2020, does not meet the needs of contractors. FIEC has therefore intensified its communication with the European Commission, the European Parliament and other relevant stakeholder representatives and this work will continue throughout 2021, when the proposal for the revised CPR is expected to be published.

Actions and key dates
April 2020
Commission proposal, indicative options for future of CPR
April 2020
Joint technical proposal for interim solutions from FIEC, European Builders Confederation, Small Business Standards and Construction Products Europe
20/05/2020
Meeting with Christian Doleschal MEP, European Parliament Rapporteur for CPR, with Small Business Standards, European Builders Confederation and Construction Products Europe
31/08/2020
FIEC response submitted, to consultation on options for future of CPR
07/09/2020
Joint discussion paper on CPR: FIEC, Small Business Standards, European Builders Confederation, Construction Products Europe
07/09/2020
European Commission conference on CPR for Technical Stakeholders
09/09/2020
Own initiative report 2020/2028(INI) Christian Doleschal MEP, Rapporteur
October 2020
FIEC proposed amendment included in amendments to above
12/11/2020
FIEC reaction to above amendments submitted to Rapporteur Christian Doleschal MEP
17/02/2021
Meeting with Christian Doleschal MEP (FIEC, SBS, EBC, CPE)
2021
Meetings with Construction Unit, DG GROW, European Commission (FIEC, SBS, EBC, CPE)
May 2021
Alternative Option F presented to FIEC members and Steering Committee
July 2021
Alternative option presented in details to Construction Unit, DG GROW, European Commission
Autumn 2021
Legislative proposal expected for revised CPR

 

Decarbonisation of the construction industry is a feature of the programme for the European Commission, for the political term which started in December 2019. In the priorities listed by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, was a “Renovation Wave” aimed at improving the renovation rate for the existing building stock across the EU. The Renovation Wave is considered vital to achieving the updated climate target of 55% reduction in emissions by 2030. This new climate target updated the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement targets, which set out the 20/20/20 goals, namely the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 20%, the increase of renewable energy's market share to 20% and a 20% increase in energy efficiency – all by 2030. The purpose of these goals was to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees celsius. However, EU discussions on the “climate emergency” have led to reinforced measures. See also the separate Fact Sheet on the Fit for 55 package.

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic

Historically, decarbonisation of buildings has been tackled by energy efficiency measures, which, by reducing the consumption of energy also reduce emissions. Energy renovation presents an opportunity for contractors. However, the cost of the kind of renovation that really makes a significant difference to energy bills, namely “deep renovation”, is prohibitive for many building owners, in particular of family dwellings. Furthemore, the cost of low carbon materials and the current scarcity of some construction materials will increase the cost of renovation even further in future. FIEC’s position on the Renovation Wave covers seven main themes from the Renovation Wave Communication. FIEC also produced a position on the revision of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (see separate fact sheet). As for the Climate Law, FIEC considers that this is more aimed at Member States and does not require a specific position from us.

Actions and key dates
14/10/2020
Renovation Wave package published
November 2020
FIEC joined #BuildingLife Campaign, led by World Green Buildings Council
02/02/2021
FIEC’s position on the Renovation Wave published
16/02/21
Meeting with S&D Politicial Adviser on FIEC’s position
11/03/21
Meeting with Commissioner Simson’s cabinet on FIEC’s position

 

The European Commission prepared some guidelines, in close co-operation with industry stakeholders entitled Circular Economy Principles for Buildings Design. The work fell under the Construction 2020 initiative, Thematic Group 3 “Sustainable use of natural resources”. The guidelines deal with the concept whereby buildings are designed with the end of life already in mind. The aim is to maximise the opportunities for re-use and recycling of materials from disassembled buildings, by firstly choosing non-toxic and re-useable materials as far as possible and then installing them in ways that facilitate easy disassembly, such as avoiding the use of glues etc.

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic

FIEC supports the Circular Economy in construction. One of the obstacles to recycling and re-use is that materials are often toxic, or do not meet current safety standards, which have susperseded those that were in place at the time of construction. Another obstacle is that materials have been installed in ways that make it impossible to recover them at disassembly or demolition stage. The Circular Economy Principles for Buildings Design help to explain how buildings can be better designed and constructed for maximum recycling and re-use opportunities. The document also considers how the potential for an eventual change of use of a building can be accounted for at the design stage. FIEC has long supported this work and was involved in the small stakeholder group dedicated to the development of the principles.

Actions and key dates
March 2020
Principles of Design for Deconstruction published
11/03/2020
Circular Economy Action Plan published
14/10/2020
Renovation Wave published, which refers to circular and sustainable design

 

The European Council for Construction Research, Development and Innovation (ECCREDI) was created in Brussels on 19 December 1995 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by representatives of European federations concerned with construction, in its widest sense. The aim of ECCREDI is to contribute to the competitiveness, quality, safety and environmental performance of the construction sector and to the overall sustainability of the built environment – all urban and transport infrastructures – by advocating for effective construction research, technological and process development and innovation. ECCREDI adds value as a European council that connects its members and establishes areas of common interest, for which joint action is more successful than isolated approaches from individual members.

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic

FIEC is a member of ECCREDI and currently holds the presidency. FIEC is able to achieve more by pooling its resources with ECCREDI members, than by acting alone. The current priority is to ensure that Horizon Europe (the research framework programme) contains adequate opportunities for contractors and that the construction-focused part of the programme is well co-ordinated by the Built4People partnership.

Actions and key dates
November 2020
Meeting with European Commission about governance of Built4People
May 2021
Memorandum of Understanding for Built4People signed
Autumn 2021
Creation and kick-off of Built4People Partnership Board

 

The European Construction, built environment and energy efficient building Technology Platform (ECTP) is a leading membership organisation promoting and influencing the future of the Built Environment. First founded in 2004 ECTP brings together the collective vision for a leading edge European Built Environment on behalf of its Members. ECTP has around 150 member organisations from across the construction sector and other sectors from the whole supply chain of the Built Environment.

Its diverse membership across 26 countries, large enterprises, SMEs, universities, research organisations and professional associations allows it to take an integrated approach to tackling all relevant issues. It connects people and organisations from across the supply chain, helping them to work collectively to improve the position on many societal and industrial issues including energy, climate change, efficiency and infrastructure.

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic

FIEC is a member of ECTP and also has a representative on the Steering Committee. Its membership enables the federation to ensure that specific research programmes are appropriate for the construction industry. It is also a way of finding potential partners for projects, or for being invited to participate by other organisations, in appropriate research and other EU projects. ECTP is one of the co-signatories in the Built4People (B4P) partnership, launched under the new Horizon Europe programme in 2021. FIEC is expected to be represented on the Partnership Board for B4P.

Actions and key dates
13/11/2019
Election of FIEC representative on ECTP Steering Committee
12/12/2019
ECTP co-ordinated drafting of partnership proposal for Horizon Europe (Built4People), which was presented in a Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the European Commission
2020
ECTP co-ordinated the development of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, with World Green Buildings Council. Input to this document from ECCREDI
2021
ECTP and World Green Buildings Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with European Commission, DG Energy, in new partnership Built4People

 

Directive (EU) 2018/844 of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency. The EPBD is the EU's main legislative instrument promoting the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the EU. It is currently being revised again and a legislative proposal is expected in December 2021.

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic

Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. Currently, about 35% of the EU's buildings are over 50 years old and almost 75% of the building stock is energy inefficient, while only 0.4-1.2% of the building stock is renovated each year. Therefore, more renovation of existing buildings has the potential to lead to significant energy savings. Investments in energy efficiency can stimulate the construction industry. SMEs would particularly benefit from a boosted renovation market, as they contribute more than 70% of the value added in the EU building sector. The EPBD is being revised again, according to the new Circular Economy Action Plan and the Renovation Wave (see separate fact sheets). FIEC responded to the consultation earlier in 2021 and published its position in July 2021.

Actions and key dates
30/05/2018
Directive (EU) amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency
15/07/2021
FIEC position on the revision of the EPBD
14/12/2021
Legislative proposal expected

 

In July 2021, the European Commission published the Fit for 55 package. The package is a response to calls for greater action, to ensure the achievement of the updated climate target of 55% reduction in emissions by 2030. This new climate target updated the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement targets, which set out the 20/20/20 goals, namely the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 20%, the increase of renewable energy's market share to 20% and a 20% increase in energy efficiency – all by 2030. Amongst other things, the package contains legislative proposals which mainly update – and in some cases extend -existing measures, such as the Emissions Trading System. However, none of the proposals appear to directly target the construction process.

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic

The Fit for 55 package could create opportunities for construction companies. It may also have an impact, through the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which will reinforce the internal market for construction materials. Nevertheless, prices of materials are expected to increase and this will inevitably raise prices of construction and renovation for clients. Therefore, we consider it important to monitor outcomes and lobby as and when appropriate, to alert the European Commission to potential unintended consequences of the package.

Actions and key dates
14/07/2021
Fit for 55 package published
October 2021
FIEC article in Construction Europe

 

Research funding from the European Union is allocated via a rolling seven year programme, which used to be known as the “Framework” programme. The last programme with this title was “Framework 7” and the one after, renamed Horizon 2020, came to an end in 2020. Horizon Europe is the latest programme, for which the first calls for projects have already been published and closed. This research funding has the overarching aim of securing Europe's global competitiveness, by helping to drive economic growth and create jobs. Research is seen to be an investment in our future and it is at the heart of the EU’s blueprint for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs. Horizon emphasises excellent science, industrial leadership and the need to tackle societal challenges. The goal is to ensure that Europe produces world-class science, removes barriers to innovation and makes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation. Horizon Europe’s budget is €95.5 BN.

Why FIEC is dealing with this topic

Horizon Europe funding will be allocated according to a number of partnerships, between the Commission and relevant stakeholders. The most relevant partnership proposed for construction, important for FIEC, its members and their companies is BUILT4PEOPLE, which has a budget of €400k. In addition to work done on the European Commission’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), FIEC was a key player in the development of the partnership proposal. Now established, with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the European Commission as the public partner and the European Construction Technology Platform (ECTP) and World Green Building Council (WGBC) as the two other partners, the Partnership Board will be launched in October 2021 and FIEC is expected to be represented in the Board.

Actions and key dates
October 2021
Launch of Partnership Board for BUILT4PEOPLE