The precast concrete industry strongly advocates for sustainable development, circularity and decarbonisation, as key levers to reduce the environmental footprint of the built environment. At BIBM, we believe that progress in these areas depends on close cooperation with policymakers and stakeholders, supported by sound and accurate policy frameworks, access to funding, and the effective use of public procurement. In parallel, the EU has strengthened its approach through initiatives such as the revised EPBD, the Construction Products Regulation, the Clean Industrial Deal and ongoing work on whole-life carbon and circularity. BIBM actively follows and contributes to these processes to ensure that precast concrete solutions are fairly recognised, performance-based and aligned with Europe’s climate and competitiveness objectives
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Climate change and energy efficiency
BIBM supports a holistic, performance-based approach to climate change mitigation and energy efficiency in the built environment, combining the reduction of operational and embodied emissions over the whole life cycle of buildings. The Federation considers EU initiatives such as the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the development of the Whole-Life Carbon framework and the Carbon Removals Certification Framework as key instruments to steer the construction sector towards climate neutrality. BIBM advocates for material-neutral policies, high-quality life-cycle data, and coherent implementation across Member States, ensuring that durable, energy-efficient and low-carbon precast concrete solutions are fairly recognised and effectively contribute to Europe’s decarbonisation and energy-efficiency objectives.
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Circular economy
BIBM fully supports the transition towards a circular economy and promotes precast concrete as a durable, locally produced and fully recyclable construction solution. The Federation considers EU initiatives such as the forthcoming Circular Economy Act, the Construction and Demolition Waste framework and Green Public Procurement as key drivers to improve resource efficiency and create functioning markets for secondary raw materials. BIBM advocates for performance-based, life-cycle-driven and material-neutral approaches that recognise durability, reuse, recyclability and carbonation, while avoiding one-size-fits-all requirements that could undermine effective and proven circular construction practices.
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Water management
BIBM supports EU policies aimed at strengthening water resilience, efficient water use and pollution prevention, and considers water management a key component of climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure. The Federation recognises the European Water Resilience Strategy, the Drinking Water Directive and the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive as important frameworks to modernise water infrastructure and protect public health. BIBM highlights the contribution of precast concrete solutions — such as durable pipes, tanks and water-management elements — which offer long service life, watertightness and resilience, supporting efficient water systems while reducing losses, maintenance needs and environmental impacts over the life cycle.
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Internal market
BIBM supports a well-functioning European internal market for construction products based on harmonised rules, fair competition and legal certainty. The Federation considers the revised Construction Products Regulation, the development of Digital Product Passports, and the evolving framework for Green Public Procurement as key instruments to improve transparency, sustainability and market access. BIBM advocates for proportionate, performance-based and material-neutral implementation, ensuring that precast concrete products can circulate freely across the EU while meeting regulatory requirements in an efficient, consistent and innovation-friendly manner.
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Health and safety
BIBM supports high levels of health protection and worker safety across the construction value chain and recognises EU legislation as a key driver for safer products and workplaces. The Federation follows the implementation of frameworks such as REACH and the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive, and advocates for proportionate, science-based regulation that ensures safety without undermining industrial feasibility. BIBM highlights that precast concrete production, largely carried out in controlled factory environments, contributes to improved occupational safety, reduced on-site risks and high product reliability, supporting a safe and resilient construction sector.
