Concrete perspectives July-August 2013
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
LIVE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
BIBM position on Market Surveillance and Product Safety
The European Commission previously proposed a new package of legislative and non-legislative measures to improve consumer product safety and to strengthen market surveillance of products in the EU.
These legislative propositions are now (August) under first reading of the European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee.
The package includes:
Proposal for a Regulation on market surveillance of products
BIBM believes that the Construction Products Regulation perfectly covers the market surveillance and product safety of construction products, therefore no additional burden should be created with doubled regulations.
Please follow this link to read BIBM position paper on Market Surveillance Package and Product Safety.
Public Consultation on Sustainable Buildings
The European Commission opened a Public Consultation on Sustainable Buildings with aim to gather views and additional information on the main environmental issues for the buildings sector, availability of data, systems to assess and communicate environmental performance of buildings, how to stimulate demand, and how construction materials could be used more efficiently.
The environmental impacts of buildings go beyond energy consumption for heating, cooling and lighting. In the EU, buildings account for:
– 42 % of final energy consumption (during their use phase)
– 35 % of greenhouse gas emissions (during use phase)
– 50 % of all extracted materials are used in building (construction and use)
– 30 % of water consumption (during construction and use)
– 30 % of total generated waste (during construction, demolition and renovation).
The Consultation runs until 1 October 2013. BIBM is currently working on its position and will submit the answer to the consultation in due course.
Lithuania takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union
On 1 July 2013, Lithuania took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. The “motto” of the presidency is “For a Credible, Growing and Open Europe”. As for the first aspect of the programme, the presidency aims to strengthen financial stability in order to restore Europe’s credibility. Implementing economic governance and deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union are key tasks in this context.
Regarding the second aspect of the programme, Lithuania plans to further strengthen the Single Market in order to ensure economic growth and better employment opportunities. Furthermore, it supports the realisation of Single Market Act I and advancing the new initiatives under Single Market Act 2.
Last but not least, the presidency will focus on developing a closer partnership with the Eastern partners. Therefore it will host the Eastern Partnership Summit in November 2013. Promotion of free trade with strategic partners such as the USA, Japan and Canada are also among the listed priorities for an Open Europe.
For further information please visit:
Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU
European Parliament –Priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency
NEWS IN BRIEF
OUTSTANDING PROJECTS
Artstone Garden Sculpture
Christine Baxter is the artist of the Artstone Garden Sculpture, which is a UK based company. She is specialised in figurative garden sculpture with a personal and authentic touch. She uses Ciment Fondu and uses acid stains on some surfaces, usually used for insitu decorative paving. Her sculptures are on permanent display to the public at Wyndcliffe Court Gardens, near Chepstow until 29 September 2013.
For further pictures please contact the secretariat or visit the following website:www.artstonesculpture.com
AGENDA
SEPTEMBER
3-4 September 2013
Communication Commission & Directors meeting
Brussels, Belgium
9-10 September 2013
SAFECLADDING coordination meeting
Ljubiana, Slovenia
19 September 2013
CEN/TC 229/WG 4 on Product Category Rules
Brussels, Belgium
25-28 September 2013
Sustainable Building Conference 2013
Graz, Austria
http://www.sb13.org/index.php/en/
27 September 2013
Silica Task Force
Brussels, Belgium
OCTOBER
8 October 2013
CEN/TC 104/TG 20
Paris, France
9 October 2013
CEN/TC 104/TG 20/Editorial panel
Paris, France
15 October 2013
ECP Task Force on Fire Safety
Brussels, Belgium
16 October 2013
Environmental Commission
Brussels, Belgium
22 October 2013
BIBM Board meeting
Salzburg, Austria
23 October 2013
CEN/TC 229/WG 4 and WG 1
Brussels, Belgium
24 October 2013
Technical Commission
Brussels, Belgium
30-31 October 2013
Joint IPHA – BIBM Holcofire seminar
CERIB (Epernon), France
DECEMBER
17 December
BIBM General Assembly
Brussels, Belgium