FIEC against over-prescriptive execution standards
FIEC has published its position on European execution standards. Whilst not rejecting the development of all such standards outright, the federation points out that they are different to harmonised product standards and subject to national construction methods, national legal systems, insurance and liability rules as well as the education and knowledge of construction professionals across different European countries. With this in mind, the position recommends that any development work is undertaken on a case by case basis, ensuring that contractors are involved fully in the process.
| READ MORE |
“Living and working in Europe” – 2016 Yearbook
Eurofound has published its 2016 yearbook ” Living and working in Europe”, which provides a snapshot of developments and trends in the work and lives of Europeans. Despite the strains on the European Union – slow economic recovery, rising euroscepticism and the UK vote to leave the EU – Eurofound’s work reported plenty of good news for EU citizens in 2016. Full-time, permanent employment rose across all pay categories; the gender employment gap is narrowing and policy could narrow it further; working conditions have improved across many dimensions; more options around retirement are opening up for older workers; and many Member States have solid measures to ease the plight of asylum-seekers.
| READ MORE |
National business registers easier to access via EU single platform
On 9th June, the European Commission launched a new online tool to exchange information on EU companies by means of a single platform. “Linking national business registers is expected to facilitate cross-border trade and increase confidence and transparency in the EU Single Market”, said the European Commission, on this occasion.
Before the existence of the platform, information on companies had to be requested separately from the various national registers. This involved often lengthy and costly procedures. The service has been set up by the European Commission and the Member States under the Directive on interconnection of EU business registers (BRIS). However, not all the Member States are connected yet, according to the European e-justice portal.
| READ MORE |