FIEC Newsletter – 9 Μάϊου 2023

On 3 May, FIEC participated in ECCREDI’s first Council meeting of the year. ECCREDI (European Council for Construction Research, Development and Innovation) unites under its roof several European federations representing contractors, engineers, designers, material producers and other actors of the construction supply chain.Among the issues tackled : the war in Ukraine, the earthquake in Turkey and their impacts on the construction sector.

FIEC gave a presentation on the “EU taxonomy – Latest developments” and on the “Taxonomy Environmental Delegated Act”. The participants also addressed the potential implications of the new delegated act on the EU construction sector.

On 25 April, the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted the draft opinion by Rapporteur Pascal Arimont (EPP/Belgium) with 49 votes in favour and 19 abstentions.The opinion will now be forwarded to the responsible Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and to Rapporteur Christian Doleschal (EPP/Germany), to put it to vote at the end of May.

Following the adoption of the report of MEP Trillet-Lenoir by the Employment Committee on 26 April, the European Parliament is now ready to enter into trilogue negotiations with the Council and the European Commission. A negotiation mandate has been given at unanimity by the Employment Committee and confirmed by the Plenary.The report calls on employers to reduce exposure to asbestos fibers to the lowest possible level and below an occupational-exposure limit (OEL) of 0.001 fibres/cm³ on an eight-hour average, while aiming to introduce the use of electron microscopy.

The proposals would fully come into force after a four-year transitional period where a transitional OEL equal to 0.01 fibres/cm³ would apply, while EU countries would still be able to use the current phase-contrast microscope method.
The report also sets a series of stricter measures to ensure the best possible protection of workers.

While fully recognising the danger of asbestos fibers and supporting the objectives of these proposals, FIEC insists that the proposed concrete exposure limits should be more realistic, in order to ensure proper implementation and monitoring on the field.

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) published insights into trends and challenges in construction, which is one of the most significant sector for workers with vocational education and training (VET) qualifications.As the digitalisation of the sector is increasing, the CEDEFOP observes, amongst others, some steep increase in the demand for skills, like the use of CAD software, digital collaboration and creative designing.
The CEDEFOP also forecasts that, due to the ageing of the workforce, there will be a large demand to replace those who are leaving, at all levels of qualifications: construction workers, construction engineering technicians and electro-engineering workers, for instance.
Finally, the CEDEFOP stresses that the VET pathway – despite a struggle in meeting the sector’s future skills needs – will keep supporting all possible efforts to attract more young people and women in the sector.

A Business Forum, organised by FIEC’s Ukrainian member CBU (Confederation of Ukrainian Builders) and addressed to organisations and companies interested in seizing business opportunities in Ukraine, will take place in Kyiv on 11 May (from 12:00 to 22:00 Kyiv time GMT+3). The Business Forum is focused on the future architecture & reconstruction of the country and on how a targeted strategy for architects, developers and builders will make a difference in rebuilding Ukraine.Click on the below tab to access information on how to register for the event and find all details about the Forum’s organisers, partners, supporters and speakers.

On 26 April, the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) of the European Parliament adopted its Report on the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD) with 19 votes in favour, 3 against and 3 abstentions.

One point that deserves special attention is the revised and narrower definition of the ‘value chain’ than in earlier drafts. FIEC and EIC had advocated for supply chain instead of value chain responsibility in their key messages on CSDD published in January.

The JURI Committee also introduced  the concept of a risk-based approach which both FIEC and EIC had also called for. However, on a negative note, certain duties of Directors were upheld in the JURI text. Both FIEC and EIC had called for these provisions to be deleted.

The European Parliament is expected to adopt its positions in the coming weeks, with some sources suggesting 1 June as potential date.