Construction Products: Parliament considers amendments

On 23rd January, the consideration of amendments to the proposal for a revised Construction Products Regulation (CPR) took place in the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO).While the EPP, S&D, Renew and I&D parliamentary groups made clear their intention to reduce the complexity of the proposal and to protect businesses, the Greens/EFA parliamentary group expressed its regret about some amendments aiming at deleting green public procurement provisions from the proposal.

The Commission insisted on the fact that the direct installation of construction products and 3D printing should be included in the Regulation’s scope.

Rapporteur Christian Doleschal said that the intentions of the Commission to close every potential regulatory loophole are commendable – including the direct installation – would create too many other issues and would disproportionately affect construction companies.

The IMCO is set to vote on its position at the end of March.

EU Sustainable Energy Week 2023: eye on deadlines

The 2023 edition of the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is getting closer: FIEC is keeping an eye on the upcoming deadlines to take an active part in the programme of the events taking place in Brussels and online on 20-22 June.Here are a few key deadlines to apply for the different calls (organisation of sessions, Awards, stand):

Registrations to attend the EUSEW 2023 will go live from mid-April.

 

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FIEC reacts to launch of ‘alternative taxonomy’

On Monday, 23rd February, FIEC’s representative in the Platform on Sustainable Finance from 2020 to 2022, Pekka Vuorinen, reacted to the launch of the so-called “science-based taxonomy” on 18th January by an alliance of seven NGOs.”The so-called science-based taxonomy (…), is, without any doubt, an attack against the EU Taxonomy“, FIEC said in its statement.

FIEC firmly believes in the future ability of the ‘official’ Taxonomy to help companies become climate-friendly and to help investors direct investments towards sustainable projects and economic activities.

As far as the ‘alternative taxonomy’ is concerned, FIEC is of the opinion that it will have to prove its robustness and credibility in comparison to the EU taxonomy

First €3 billion of MFA+ package given to Ukraine

On 17 January 2023, the European Commission disbursed a first instalment of €3 billion of the up to €18 billion Macro-financial Assistance+ package for Ukraine. This follows the swift adoption and entry into force of the MFA+ Regulation mid-December 2022.This instrument will allow Ukraine to maintain essential public services running, ensure macroeconomic stability and restore critical infrastructure destroyed by Russia in its war of aggression, such as energy infrastructure, water systems, transport networks, roads and bridges.

Future payments to Ukraine, under the MFA+ instrument of €1.5 billion per month, will continue as of March and will depend on satisfying the agreed conditionality and reporting requirements.

 

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Commission launches consultation on the revision of the Late Payment Directive

Last week the European Commission launched an open public consultation to collect information on late or unfair payment practices and payment behaviour in commercial transactions. The aim of the consultation is to understand how such late or unfair payments impact businesses’ daily management and their capacity for investment in their green and digital transitions.The consultation runs in parallel with a Call for Evidence where interested parties can express their views on the understanding of the problem, the need for EU intervention and the preliminary range of possible options and their expected impacts.
On the basis of this consultation the European Commission will table proposals for a revision  of the Late Payments Directive.

 

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Construction Blueprint – Final dissemination event

 

FIEC, EBC (European Builders Confederation) and EFBWW (European Federation of Building and Wood Workers) are organising the final event of the Construction Blueprint for Skills project, funded by the Erasmus+ programme.

Three roundtables dedicated to skills for Digitalisation, Energy Efficiency and Circular Economy will present  and discuss the main outcomes of the project. In addition, a specific session will be dedicated to the Pact for Skills in Construction.

The event will take place on Wednesday 22 February 2023, from 09.30 to 13.00 (CET), in Brussels and online. Interpretation will be available in English, French and Spanish.

Registration is available: