BIBM joins call for a safe-by-design approach in Europe’s Housing Simplification Agenda

BIBM has joined a broad coalition of European organisations in endorsing the joint position paper “Safety by Design in Europe’s Housing Simplification Agenda.”

The paper welcomes the EU’s ambition to deliver more housing, faster and more affordably, while stressing that simplification must improve procedures without weakening safety standards. In particular, it calls for fire and life safety to be integrated from the outset into planning, design, permitting and renovation processes.

The signatories underline that faster housing delivery can go hand in hand with strong safety outcomes through better coordination, digital permitting, standardised documentation and risk-based procedures. They also call for stronger EU-level coordination, harmonised fire safety data and full alignment with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, especially as building renovation and electrification accelerate.

The key message is clear: safety is not a constraint on Europe’s housing ambition — it is a precondition for its success.

Read the join position paper here: Joint position paper – Safety by Design in Europe’s Housing Simplification Agenda