Cyprus EU Presidency: Priorities for Construction
On 1 January 2026, Cyprus started its Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second time, which will run until 30 June, 2026.
A look into the key priorities
“The Cyprus Presidency will work with determination to give new momentum to the European edifice and contribute substantially to the next step in our common journey” – said Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus.
The construction industry is positioned as a key delivery sector for EU priorities: Energy security, housing, climate adaptation, competitiveness and cohesion. At the same time, it will face higher sustainability expectations, skills challenges and pressure to deliver faster and cheaper, while benefiting from potential regulatory simplification and stable EU funding.
Based on the official programme, FIEC published a comprehensive overview on the main presidency’s priorities, with a direct or indirect impact on the construction industry. Read full article online via this link.
Click on the below tab to view the presidency programme and published priorities.
| PROGRAMME |
Simplification of Anti-Deforestation Law entered into force
On 23 December, the simplification law to adjust the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has been published in the EU Official Journal. The changes entered into force on the third day thereafter.
The European construction industry fully supports the goal of protecting global forests, but it is essential that the requirements and evidence demanded remain proportionate, particularly for downstream operators including construction SMEs. FIEC therefore welcomes the final outcome of the legislative process and the simplifications that entered into force on 26 December 2025.
| Read more |
Publication of the “Asbestos Guidelines”
On 18 December, the European Commission published the “Guidelines for managing asbestos related health and safety risks at work“.
This guide aims to support national authorities, employers and workers in the implementation of the revised Directive 2009/148/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work. It provides an overview of good practice approaches to the management of asbestos in the workplace and to reduce workers’ exposure to asbestos. The guide starts with general information on safety management, identifying asbestos, air monitoring, waste management, etc. It provides then guidance for specific activities such as buildings or civil engineering.
FIEC and its member federations participated actively to the elaboration of this guide, attended workshops and organised a site visit.
Together with the guide, the European Commission published an updated Commission Recommendation on the European schedule of occupational diseases to add new diseases.
| Read more |
FIEC reacts on proposal to extend ELA powers
In its reaction to the European Commission Call for Evidence about strengthening the European Labour Authority (ELA) by reviewing its mandate, posted just before the Christmas break, FIEC made clear that ELA should keep improving its work and outcomes within its current mandate.
This point of view is also supported by the European Commission, which stated in its recent evaluation report that there was no pressing need to revise ELA’s mandate and tasked its Director General, Cosmin Boiangiu, to deliver an Action Plan to address some current weaknesses.
FIEC also stressed that the information role of ELA was of high importance for employers who navigates in a complex legislative environment, when it comes to working cross border. Therefore, FIEC calls for the setup of an efficient and reliable “helpdesk” and supports the investigation work on a possible “remuneration calculator”, to help employers fixing the right wages for posted workers.
Last but not least, FIEC emphasised its proactive involvement in the various activities developed by the Authority and encouraged it to continue involving the sectoral social partners as closely as possible in all its relevant activities, for the sake of a healthy construction industry.
| POSITION |
Consultation opens on Skills Portability Initiative
On 5 December, the European Commission published a call for evidence and a public consultation on the upcoming Skills Portability Initiative. This initiative will be part of the Fair Labour Mobility Package expected for the third quarter of 2026.
In the call for evidence for the impact assessment, the European Commission indicates exploring three components:
- A potential legislative proposal to facilitate worker mobility through improved transparency of skills and qualifications, and digitalisation;
- Potential measures to facilitate, modernise and expand recognition processes for regulated professions;
- A potential legislative proposal for common rules to simplify procedures for the recognition of qualifications and skills of third-country nationals.
The overall objectives of the initiative are “to ensure that qualifications and skills are portable across national borders in the EU and to make the EU a more attractive place for talent”.
In the context of labour and skills shortages, this initiative could support the mobility of workers and facilitate the recognition of qualifications and skills.
#FIEC120: A message by Daniel Tardy (FNTP)
We warmly thank FIEC Honorary President, Daniel Tardy and our member, the Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics (FNTP), for his video-message sent ahead of 3 December to congratulate on the 120th anniversary of the European Construction Industry Federation.
| WATCH VIDEO |