Covid crisis : FIEC discusses priorities with Commissioner Breton

During the video conference with Commissioner Breton and the main representatives of the construction industry FIEC presented its priorities focusing on :
  1. The recognition of “force majeure”: although the topic is not among its competences, the Commission could envisage a political message to the Member States.
  2. The mobility of workers: the Commission considers that the crisis is an issue of public health which puts the issue of mobility entirely in the hands of the Member States.
  3. The need for a large investment plan, covering buildings and infrastructure, to accelerate the recovery. In this respect the problem of mobility of workers could delay such a recovery even if the required investment were made available.
Commissioner Breton invited the participants to join him for a second round of discussion in the next few weeks.

Results of Level(s) test phase published

The results of the test phase of Level(s), the European Commission’s voluntary assessment framework for the environmental performance of buildings, have been published.  The test phase has been running for some time and Level(s) is referred to in a number of European Commission documents, including most recently the new Circular Economy Action Plan, published in March. The results can be found on the link below.

 

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Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy

On 8 April, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy. The latter was announced in the Communication on the Green Deal and will build on the Commission’s 2018 Action Plan on Financing Sustainable Growth. The consultation will be open until 15 July.
It comprises a great deal of questions covering a wide range of topics. Of particular interest for the construction industry is the potential development of standards or labels for energy-efficient mortgages as well as the use of the upcoming EU Taxonomy in the area of green public procurement.

 

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Postponed – FIEC Symposium on the Security of Bridges

Due to the current circumstances FIEC has decided to postpone the Symposium on the Security of Bridges which was to be held on 10 and 11 June in Strasbourg. We will keep you updated on a potential new date.