News 2017

No repeal of the CPR but let’s revise it to make it work 

• Construction Products Regulation needs revising and flexibility is required

"In spite of the problems experienced by contractors since the CPR came into effect, repealing it now would be counter-productive” says FIEC First Vice President Kjetil Tonning. "Although FIEC has highlighted the various problems encountered over the last four years, we have also explained that poor implementation and unintended and incorrect interpretation have been at the root of these problems.  We think that constructive dialogue with the European Commission, Member States, the other industry stakeholders and standards organisations can lead to a limited number of targeted revisions, which could make the Regulation work effectively.”

•  Interim solutions require a pragmatic approach, tolerance and goodwill 

Pending its ultimate partial revision, FIEC calls for flexibility in the meantime.  Measures are necessary to facilitate and speed up administrative actions, such as the processing of mandates and delegated acts.  Timely publication of standards in the Official Journal is essential to avoid a system breakdown.  Procedures must be simplified and given the common goal, it is extremely important that the European Commission, the Member States and industry stakeholders try to understand the needs of all parties and accept interim solutions, such as additional marks on products when and where necessary, until the Regulation can be deemed to provide legal certainty for the industry and safe buildings and infrastructure for European citizens, which are not harmful to the environment. 

The revised CPR should more effectively fit into the wider environment within which construction works are designed, procured, executed, used, maintained, renovated and demolished.  Given the huge number of stakeholders involved, it is imperative that a sufficiently long transition period is foreseen for any revision, ensuring that information and guidance are available before regulatory requirements apply.

FIEC’s position on the revision of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) can be found here : http://www.fiec.eu/en/fiec-positions