Industry Meeting 2003

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Industry Meeting 2003 The position of the
contractors Brussels 22 January 2003
John Goodall FIEC Director Technical Affairs
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Presentation of FIEC

• What is FIEC ?
• FIEC is the European Construction Industry
  Federation
• - 32 national member federations in 24 countries
• - Representing firms of all sizes
• - Practising all kinds of construction activity
• -  Sectoral Social Partner  in the European
  Social Dialogue
• - Associate member in CEN
• Participant in the European Construction Forum

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Construction Sector in Europe

• The sector in Europe
• Total construction 2001 (EU 15) 868 billion
  EURO
• - 10 of GDP 48,9 of Gross fixed capital
  formation
• - 1,9 million enterprises
• - 11 million operatives
• - Europes largest industrial employer
• - 26 million workers depend, directly or
  indirectly, on the sector
• - Multiplier effect (123)

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European developments

• CPD many important changes in the near future
• - Harmonised standards
• - European Technical Approvals
• - Eurocodes
• - Voluntary markings
• CPD many important questions
• - Is CE Marking obligatory ?
• - Should contractors insist on CE-Marking ?
• - Relevance/relationship with voluntary markings
  ?
• - What about liability ?

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CE Marking voluntary marks

• CE Marking Keymark
• - Compatible ?
• - Complementary ?

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Attestation of Conformity

• Is the level too low ?
• Can voluntary markings complement CE AoC ?

Voluntary certification ?
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CEN s Keymark

• Transparency ! One set of rules ?
• Credibility ! Common approach CEN Members ?
• Sustainability ! Support !

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Market Surveillance

• Role ? Common approach in Member States ?
• Co-ordination between Member States ?
• Power ?

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CE in Public Procurement ?

• Only CE ?
• CE and voluntary markings ?

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Liability

• What about credibility of CE Marking
• Can contractors rely CE Marked products ?
• Whos liable if products are not in conformity ?

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13 Years of CPD ...

• Situation ...
• Nature CE uncertain
• Combination CE vol. Marking uncertain
• Endorsed hEN appear to be unacceptable
• Liability ... What if it goes wrong ?

European contractors need affirmative action
soon to remove uncertainties Credibility in
marking systems will determine the success or
failure of the single market in construction
products
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Further issues

• Warning!
• Only fools rush in where angels fear to tread!

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