Concrete perspectives March 2013
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 1.4% in the euro area (EA17) and by 1.3% in the EU27 in January 2013, compared with the previous month. The largest decreases were registered in Slovenia (-7.4%) and Sweden (-5.1%), while the biggest increases in Poland (+5.3%) and in Bulgaria (+3.7%).
Eurostat – Press Release
On 11 March 2013, the Building Performance Institute Europe published its new study on Implementing Cost-Optimality. The study ims to provide guidance for Member States to meet the EU’s rules on implementing “cost-optimal” methodology to take into account the lifetime costs of buildings under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
BPIE –Implementing Cost-Optimality (study)
LIVE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
Sustainability and Performance Assessment and Benchmarking of Buildings
Under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), SuPerBuildings, a research project has been carried out by the Finish VTT Technical Research Centre. The report project developed and selected sustainability indicators for buildings; improved the understanding about performance levels considering new and existing buildings, building types and different national and local requirements.
It also developed methods for the assessment and benchmarking of sustainable buildings; and made recommendations for the effective use of benchmarking systems as instruments of steering and in different stages of building projects. The project also provided recommendations for the improvement of standards.
Sustainability and Performance Assessment and Benchmarking of Buildings – Final Report
Energy Roadmap 2050
The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee adopted an own-initiative report (non-binding) titled Energy roadmap 2050, a future with energy. The report calls for 80% cut in energy used by buildings while it sets EU-wide energy efficiency target for 2030, alongside climate goals for renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
European Parliament – Legislative Observatory
EU’s TOP 10 most burdensome regulations
On 7 March 2013, the European Commission published the result of its previously held public consultation in which it asked stakeholders to identify SMEs’ TOP 10 most burdensome EU regulations. The following EU laws have been identified:
1.REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals)
2.VAT – Value added tax legislation
3.General Product Safety and market surveillance package
4.Recognition of professional qualifications
5.Shipments of waste – Waste framework legislation – List of waste and hazardous waste
6.Labour market-related legislation
7.Data protection
8.Working time
9.Recording equipment in road transport (for driving and rest periods)
10.Procedures for the award of public contracts (public works, supply and service contracts)
11.Modernised customs code
European Commission – Press Release
NEWS IN BRIEF
BIBM is currently developing Product Category Rules for precast concrete. The drafting panel consist of volunteers of the Environmental and Technical Commission and the draft PCR is planned to be presented to the CEN/TC 229/WG 4 in September 2013.
Euro area annual inflation was 1.8% in February 2013 down from 2.0% in January, while the A year earlier the European Union’s annual inflation rate was 2.0%, also decreased from 2.1% in January 2013. According to the figures of Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union, the lowest annual rates were observed in Greece (0.1%) and in Portugal (0.2%), while the highest in Romania (4.8%), Estonia (4.0%) and the Netherlands (3.2%).
In the third quarter of 2012, the seasonally adjusted employment decreased by 0.1% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27. Over the whole year 2012, employment decreased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU27, compared with +0.3% in both zones in 2011. The highest increase has been recorded in Latvia (+0.8%) and Luxembourg (+0.6%), while the highest decrease occurred in Lithuania and Portugal (both -2.0%).
In January 2013 compared with December 2012, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 0.4% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. The largest decreases were registered in Finland (-4.1%), Luxembourg (-3.8%) while the highest increases in Lithuania (+4.4%), Denmark (+4.3%).
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS
Administration building- Krems, Austria
The Niederösterreichhaus building complex in Kremscaptivates with its masterly balancing of the new and the historical. The three buildings match their small-scale
surroundings on the edge of the old town of Krems, but function as a single entity through the connecting bridge components.
The passive house idea was interpreted as holistic concept covering both low resource consumptions during construction and energy efficient operation in future. Particular attention was paid to selecting optimal materials and providing high-grade user comfort. The new building houses several government agencies in one location, which makes both Intra-administration communication and citizens’ lives easier.
Architecture: AllesWirdGut
Architektur ZT GmbH, feld72
Architekten ZT GmbH,
FCP – Fritsch, Chiari & Partner
ZT GmbH
Energy consumption rating:heating energy demand 2.6 kWh/m³a (energy certificate).
Building services: The entire office block has controlled(bidirectional) ventilation. District heating supplies residual heating energy. Photovoltaic panels and a heat pump are also on hand.
AGENDA
APRIL
19 April 2013
NEPSI Council – CANCELLED
Brussels, Belgium
24 April 2013
BIBM Board meeting
Amsterdam, Netherlands
30 April 2013
CEN/TC 104/TG 20
Paris, France
MAY
13 May 2013
NEPSI Council
Brussels, Belgium
15 May 2013
PCR meeting
Brussels, Belgium
22 May 2013
Environmental Commission
Brussels, Belgium
23 May 2013
CEPMC Sustainability Working Group
Brussels, Belgium
29 May 2013
ECP Board and GA
Brussels, Belgium
JUNE
4 June 2013
CEPMC General Assembly
Brussels, Belgium
14 June 2013
BIBM General Assembly
Oslo, Norway
24-25 June 2013
PCR meeting
Brussels, Belgium
26 June 2013
CEPMC CPR meeting
Brussels, Belgium