FIEC at “High Level Construction Forum”, European Commission
FIEC attended the 5th annual meeting of the “High-Level Construction Forum” hosted by the European Commission (Directorate-General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs – DG GROW), in Brussels.
The event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the strategic challenges facing the construction sector and explore solutions for our sustainable future.
FIEC Vice-President, Philip Crampton, intervened as speaker during the plenary session, with focus on the theme “Towards a Competitive, Sustainable, and Productive Construction Ecosystem.” Key discussions evolved around the progress of actions initiated by the EU, the Member States and industry representatives in line with the Transition Pathway for Construction. He underlined FIEC’s commitment to play an active role in shaping the sector’s future, particularly as the industry navigates new economic and political challenges.
Developed around 3 thematic workshops (“Accelerating Building Permits”, “Improving the Market for Secondary Materials” and “Facilitating Services and Skilled Labour”), the forum discussions made it clear that the upcoming revision of the Public Procurement Directive (particularly the introduction of new non-price criteria to award sustainable practices) will have a significant impact on the dynamics of the construction sector. As we face both challenges and opportunities in an ever-evolving landscape, the “High-Level Construction Forum” served as a timely call for collaboration among industry, policymakers and other stakeholders.
“The competitiveness of our enterprises is key for the EU economy. Policymakers should consider that, if decarbonisation by 2050 and sustainability remain key priorities, the pivotal role of construction must be strengthened.” – highlighted Philip Crampton during the talks.
Click on the below tab to watch a video with the main messages and takeaways from the Forum.
FIEC’s study visit to NEST/Empa: Innovation in Construction
FIEC attended a study visit in collaboration with the European Council for Construction Research, Development and Innovation (ECCREDI) to NEST, the modular research and innovation building of Empa and EAWAG in Zurich (Switzerland).
The learnings and insights will help shape the new ECCREDI Strategy to accelerate the market uptake of cutting-edge innovations and advancements in the built environment.
Research and innovation are crucial to boosting productivity in the construction industry. Although there have been remarkable breakthroughs (e.g. carbon-reduced materials, digitalisation, circularity), their adoption in the market remains a challenge. At the same time, the EU institutions have recently identified the rising costs of construction and housing affordability among the main priorities for the 2024-2029 mandate.
At NEST, new technologies, construction materials and systems are tested, researched, further developed and validated under real conditions. Close cooperation with partners from research, industry and the public sector ensures that innovative construction and energy technologies are put onto the market faster. NEST contributes to making the use of resources and energy more sustainable and circular.
The role of FIEC is to bridge the perspectives of contractors, researchers, and decision makers and deliver on one common mission: make construction more affordable and sustainable, and ensure the competitiveness of the industry.
|
FIEC welcomes EPP Group Position Paper on Housing
In a Position Paper adopted on 26 March, the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament presented its approach toward housing in Europe. While housing remains a responsibility at the Member State’s level, the EPP Group insists that EU policies should support – not hinder – the supply of affordable housing for all.
Amongst others, the paper focuses on unleashing the full potential of Europe’s building sector, through cutting permitting times and introducing more flexibility in environmental legislation, without compromising on sustainability. The paper also insists that all resources must be mobilised to increase supply, and cut regulatory and administrative barriers. Last but not least, the EPP takes the concept of “affordable housing” according to a wide perspective, where middle-income households and young people must not be overlooked.
This paper is most welcome by FIEC, whose own Position Paper is very much in line with the EPP Group’s messages.
| EPP POSITION |
Sustainability Reporting Simplification: “Stop-the-clock” proposal to pause CSRD and CS3D enforcement
Members of the European Parliament will vote today on the urgent “Stop-the-clock” proposal, as part of the first Omnibus Simplification Package to simplify sustainability reporting. Pausing the enforcement of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) is important to ensure legal certainty for businesses.
FIEC strongly supports the decision by the Member States to approve the European Commission’s proposal and asks the European Parliament to do the same. This ensures maximum coordination among the co-legislators and gives time to work on simplifying the affected laws.
The European Commission published an Omnibus Simplification Package on sustainability reporting in February, with the goal of reducing the administrative burden for companies by facilitating and streamlining key legislation of the European Green Deal. Due to the complexity of the affected dossiers and the proposed changes, the Commission proposed in a first step to postpone certain disclosure requirements under the CSRD and the transposition deadline under the CS3D. Changes to the implementation timeline must be treated with priority to ensure legal certainty for companies – and allow enough time to address the specific modifications needed in the content of the dossiers.
The Member States’ representatives already agreed last week on a position on the “Stop-the-clock” mechanism to enhance EU competitiveness and provide legal certainty for businesses. The European Parliament will vote today in plenary on the request for an urgent procedure.
|
ELA Study on Third-Country Nationals posted in the EU
On 20 March, the European Labour Authority (ELA) published a Study on Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) posted in the EU, including their recruitment patterns and their involvement in subcontracting chains. The construction sector was under the loop in the 3 case studies presented, concerning Ukrainians in Poland, Brazilians in Portugal and Bosnians in Slovenia.
As emerged in the former EU-funded FELM project (in which FIEC was partner), the study rightly emphasises the complexity of the legal framework. Indeed, while posted TCNs are covered by the same EU rules on posting as for EU workers, they are also dependent on national rules concerning migration, residence and work. The study states that in many cases there is a lack of clarity around visas, as well as residence and work permits. There is also an issue with enforcement of the applicable rules. Whereas TCNs might be particularly vulnerable due to barriers in accessing information and lower likelihood of reporting problems to authorities, most of the irregularities reported in the study are not specific to posted TCNs. Moreover, the few individual interviews realised with workers cannot be considered as statistically representative.
In the end, the study stresses that better coordination among enforcement authorities and social partners is essential to protecting workers’ rights.
The end goal of this study is to help ELA and its stakeholders to better target their operational activities. On ELA’s side, his Executive Director, Cosmin Boiangiu, stands ready to further support the working conditions of posted TCNs in the EU.
| Read more |
Bouwend Nederland visits FIEC
On 27 March, a large delegation from FIEC’s Dutch member federation, Bouwend Nederland, visited FIEC for a lively exchange on the current priorities of the European Commission.
Among others, key discussions covered the “Affordable Housing” initiative (see FIEC’s published Position Paper), issues related to sub-contracting, the forthcoming revision of the EU Public Procurement Directives, “Social ID cards in construction” and the expected “Water Resilience Strategy” (cfr. FIEC-EIC Joint Call on the EU Blue Deal). The latter will be the main theme of the FIEC Congress 2025 to be held on 16 May, in Athens.
These exchanges allow for a better understanding of the national priorities and how they fit into a wider EU agenda: A good opportunity to remind that around 75% of the national legislation depends directly or indirectly from the EU decision-making process. Hence the importance of the role of FIEC is recognised and strengthened.
| BOUWEND NL |
FIEC Video of the Month: Interview to Hans De Koning
Ahead of the joint FIEC-EIC Zagreb Conference held on 19th March, we seized a good opportunity to meet Hans De Koning, Chairman of FIEC Working Group “Public Procurement”, and pose him a few questions on some challenging topics in the area of EU public procurement and the revision of the legislative framework in the light of the new ‘semplification’ era.
This interview also tackles the need for more effective rules for the construction sector to combat unfair competition from third country companies. And furthermore, we asked Mr De Koning to voice the construction sector’s views on the European Commission’s forthcoming initiatives addressing foreign subsidies, as well as the introduction of Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) criteria in public procurement.
Watch and share the video, like it also on YouTube (via this link)!
| WATCH VIDEO |
Eurobridge at its 4th edition: 11 April, Brussels
FIEC will once again be involved in Eurobridge – a conference on bridge maintenance and safety in Europe. Titled “How to ensure transport infrastructure safety“, the next edition will take place on 11 April 2025 in Brussels. Visit the Eurobridge conference official Website at this link. Click here to read the most updated version of the conference programme (in English and French).
Registration is open: you can email to Andine Canton (cantona@fntp.fr). For any questions or further details, she can be reached by phone at +33 750 634 120
A Word from Christian Tridon, Chairman of the FIEC Structural Maintenance Group
“While the focus this year will once again be on bridges, we are calling on all relevant organisations to ensure that the broader spectrum of transport infrastructure is also represented. This includes roadways, bridges, tunnels, and other key structures across road, rail, and inland waterway networks. These networks form the backbone of our transport systems. However, they share a critical challenge: the aging and progressive deterioration of their structural integrity.
Current monitoring and maintenance efforts are no longer sufficient. These infrastructures face increasing strain from heavier loads, rising traffic volumes, and the consequences of deferred or insufficient maintenance. Eurobridge aims to serve as a platform where, annually, the issues surrounding the upkeep and safety of these structures can be openly discussed. It is an opportunity to share knowledge, exchange best practices and foster a deeper understanding of sustainable maintenance strategies.
The topics to be addressed will be wide-ranging. Beyond technical management aspects, we will also explore the carbon impact associated with the degradation of these networks. Additionally, we will focus on the evolving needs in engineering education, highlighting the new skills and professions emerging in response to infrastructure maintenance demands. Educational systems across Europe will need to adapt to these emerging specialties. More than a forum for debate, Eurobridge intends to become a key source of information and a sounding board for decision-makers, both within the European institutions and at the national level. We look forward to welcoming speakers and participants at the conference. ”
Watch this video of Christian Tridon presenting Eurobridge 2025, and the key topics to be discussed at the conference. The video displays subtitles in English and French.
| WATCH VIDEO |
Recovery Construction Forum Ukraine 2.0
16 April, Kyiv
The upcoming Recovery Construction Forum 2.0, to be held on 16 April in Kyiv, is organised by our member, the Confederation of Builders of Ukraine (CBU), with the support of FIEC. This pivotal event will bring together key stakeholders in the construction and reconstruction sector, including Ukrainian authorities, international financial institutions, investors and industry leaders, to discuss the next steps in Ukraine’s recovery.
Join this platform for dialogue on the future reconstruction of Ukraine. This is a unique opportunity to coordinate efforts for Ukraine’s recovery effectively. Inspired by past edition, we expect insightful speeches from leading experts, engaging in ideas exchange and look at sustainable solutions to the challenges ahead.
This edition of the Forum will focus on:
- Block 1: Reconstruction of the housing stock: How to balance the needs of the State, communities and business;
- Block 2: Reconstruction of critical and social infrastructure: From comfort to security;
- Block 3: Investments in recovery: Potential for communities and businesses.
Check out the programme at this link.
| Read more |
“Fondamentale” campaign for the Construction sector lands in Brussels
Watch this one-in-a-kind video advert that is now listed under the best practices disseminated by our Italian member, ANCE. Like and share it via our Social Media or YouTube!
As part of a wider campaign promoting the Italian construction sector, and together with the construction supply chain under the “Fondamentale – La Filiera delle Costruzioni” logo, ANCE co-created and promoted this visual story “Noi che veniamo da lontano” (Transl. “This is us, we come from far away“) with Italian popular actor, movie director and narrating voice, Luca Zingaretti.
The emotional power of this commercial, and the ‘linchpin’ of this wider construction industry campaign, lies not only in its content, but in the way it can convey a sense of collective pride and awareness of the Italian historical and cultural past, without losing sight of the drive towards the future. The idea is also to reaffirm the value and key role of our sector for the development of the country and spread a feeling of ‘safety’.
The result of long and intense work that ANCE carried out with the other 11 organisations of the supply chain and thanks to the bilateral construction bodies FORMEDIL, CNCE and Sanedil S.R.L, who financed the campaign.
A Word from ANCE President, Federica Brancaccio:
“Fondamentale represents the strength of the bilateral construction system. Companies and unions have always been together to give value to a sector that is central to the development of the country and to spread the culture of safety. This advert tells, thanks to the eyes of Luca Zingaretti, our history and our horizon. We – who come from far away – want to look far away!“, said Brancaccio, during the official launch event of the video on 9 January in Rome, at the presence of Luca Zingaretti and other invited guests.
More information and uploaded presentation (for download) are available at this link.
|