Lubomir Katchamakov, new President of the Bulgarian Construction Chamber (BCC)
Eng. Lubomir Katchamakov was elected President of the BCC – the Bulgarian Member of FIEC – during the General Assembly of the Chamber, which took place in Sofia on 25 November.
Mr. Katchamakov is the Executive Director of “KOMANS 2000” JSC, one of the founding companies of the BCC. He has over 25 years of experience working in the construction industry, specialising in road and railway construction, motorway development, and urban environment renewal. He has delivered numerous projects in the water supply and sewerage sector, as well as several small hydropower plants (HPP). He has successfully implemented dozens of high-rise construction projects, including the unique Catholic Cathedral St. Joseph in Sofia.
Since the Bulgarian Construction Chamber was established, Mr Katchamakov has supported its causes and actively participated in its activities. Since 2009, he has held various positions within the Chamber’s structures. He first joined the board of the Sofia Regional Office, later becoming a member of the Executive Bureau and the Management Board of BCC. He also served two terms as Deputy President of the Chamber.
We would also like to highlight his experience at a European level, as he has already had the opportunity to serve as Vice-President of FIEC. We wish him all the best at the helm of the BCC!
6th CMRD revision: Council adopts position
On 1 December, the Council of the EU adopted its position on the 6th revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD).
The revision was proposed by the European Commission back in July and sets new exposure limit values for cobalt, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 1,4-dioxane and add welding fumes in Annex I of the Directive. PAHs (in roofing work, parquet renovation or road milling work, where former tar was used) and welding fumes are particularly relevant for the construction industry.
The Council decided to strengthen the proposal by adding an occupational exposure limit for isoprene. The Council also updates the definitions of carcinogens, mutagen and reprotoxic substance to be coherent with the inclusion of welding fumes in Annex I.
Regarding the European Parliament, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs had a first exchange of view on the file on 11 November and the rapporteur (Liesbet Sommen, EPP/BE) is currently working on her report.
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FIEC hosted first policy workshop of “EEI AI@work” project
On 25 November, FIEC hosted the first policy workshop organised by the European Employers’ Institute (EEI) in the framework of the “AI@work” project.
This project started in May 2025 and aims to gain knowledge and information on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on people and business management.
Participants discussed the first outcomes of the project, namely three fact sheets on concrete example of how companies use AI and two in brief, including one on AI at Work Regulation. They also exchanged on the next steps and the priorities to address within this project.
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Deforestation: EU Parliament wants to postpone Regulation
On 26 November, the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) adopted in plenary their negotiating mandate to postpone the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation.
In the next step, trilogue negotiations with the EU Council aim at finalising the legal act before the end of the year. FIEC welcomes the fact that the Parliament’s position is closely aligned with that of the Member States in the Council, which should help ensure the timely completion of this legislative initiative.
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New EAfA toolkit on adult apprenticeship
The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) published a new toolkit to support policymakers, Vocational Educational Training (VET) providers, companies and public employment services in increasing the number of adult apprentices.
While the EU has a target for 60% of adults to participate in training every year by 2030, the current numbers are quite low. Adult apprenticeships can help to achieve the target in providing flexible and work-based learning approach for adult learners.
The toolkit aims at guiding all stakeholders with practical advice and step-by-step guidance covering before, during and after the adult apprenticeship.
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#FIEC120: A message by Alain Grizaud, President of FNTP
FIEC welcomes a new video of Alain Grizaud, President of the Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics (FNTP), who has delivered a highly inspiring message and positive remarks sent to congratulate on the milestones and achievements, and mostly on the importance of “representativeness” for the federations and members that join our ‘FIEC’ family.
This is how he is wishing all the best and most success on our 120th anniversary celebrations of 3 December in Brussels. “Un grand merci, Monsieur Grizaud. À bientôt, à Paris, pour la prochaine Conférence Annuelle de la FIEC!” (trad. EN: “A warm thank you, Mr. Grizaud. See you in Paris for the next annual conference!”)
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