Ιούν62023

French Senate delegation visits FIEC to discuss energy efficiency policies

On 5 June, a delegation from the French Senate paid FIEC a visit to its offices in Brussels to discuss the impact of current EU energy efficiency policies on the construction sector.Among the topics discussed were the ongoing negotiations among the EU institutions on the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the challenges related to the rising costs of construction, the lack of skilled workers, or to adequate financial support measures for private households.

Issues, such as the certification of building professionals, the role of One-Stop-Shops (OSS) or the use of bio-based building materials were also tackled.

EPP group withdraws from negotiations on Nature Restoration Law

On 31 May, the EPP group in the European Parliament officially announced that it would withdraw from the negotiations on the proposed Nature Restoration Law, which is considered to be blocking infrastructure projects that are crucial for the climate transition, according to a statement published on the same day (see link below).Other political groups, including Renew Europe, The Left and The Greens, still support the proposal and agreed on a common text that will be brought to a vote in the Parliament on 15 June.

In the Council, EU countries are currently working to find a common approach by 20 June.

FIEC has followed the negotiations on the Nature Restoration Law since January. While it supports the objective of protecting and restoring nature and biodiversity in the EU, it believes that more flexibility is needed for Member States, cities, towns and suburbs.

 

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Start of a new EU Social Dialogue project

 

The European Social partners of the construction industry, FIEC and the EFBWW (European Federation of Building and Wood Workers), together with AEIP (European Association of Paritarian Institutions) have started a new EU-funded project “Follow up of Decentralized Thematic Social Dialogue for the Construction Industry” (DESOCO 2).
The overall objective of the project is to promote the European Social Dialogue at national level and to strengthen the social partners’ organisations, especially in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs). The aim is to get higher involvement in the European Social Dialogue of the construction industry by strengthening the commitment by social partners in EU policy making and discussing the social and economic challenges which will determine the future construction labour market. During 2 years, FIEC and EFBWW will be organising 4 thematic meetings to address the social and economic challenges that will shape the future of the construction labor market.

Asbestos at work: FIEC & EBC call for a pragmatic approach with a realistic and implementable framework

On the backdrop of the ongoing trilogue negotiations on the revision of the “Asbestos at Work” Directive (2009/148/EC), FIEC and the European Builders Confederation (EBC) emphasised the importance for the EU Council to apply a pragmatic approach towards reaching agreement on a realistic and implementable framework for construction companies.Since construction workers’ health and safety are a top priority for employers, FIEC and EBC stress that EU legislation must play its role of protecting workers from the risks related to the exposure of asbestos at work. For this purpose, FIEC and EBC reiterate that focusing on an extremely low occupational exposure limit value (OELV) to asbestos fibres is no “silver bullet” for an adequate protection of workers.

If companies are not able to apply limit values or other new specific requirements, they will not be able to meet the intent of workers’ protection. With this in mind, FIEC and EBC shared common recommendations.

 

   PRESS RELEASE   

Eurobridge – 3rd edition: Brussels, 5 April 2024

On 14 April 2023, the second edition of the EUROBRIDGE conference took place in Brussels. 100 people from 10 European countries attended the event.3 key themes were addressed:

– Bridge management
– Carbon impact of bridges
– The adaptability of training

The discussions tabled during the panels will remain the basis for future editions of EUROBRIDGE. They will be developed in different ways, the aim being to exchange experiences between the various countries.

The 3rd edition will take place in Brussels, on 5th April 2024. Save the date and join us for this big event.

 

   PAST EDITION   

NEW!
Video-interview with Aleksi Randell (Director General of the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT)

 

Thanks to Aleksi Randell, Director General of FIEC’s Finnish member federation, i.e. the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT (CFCI), for this brief interview introducing to CFCI’s strategy conceived for a competitive and responsible construction industry.

Among the highlights, those efforts made to shift from a linear to a circular economy, the promotion of the green transition, latest market demands, innovation and the decarbonisation process undergone by the sector. A special focus is placed to CFCI’s communication activities, information exchange and networking at EU level, namely with the institutions and other representatives and stakeholders…and made possible via the FIEC membership of the Confederation.

 

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