Last week, EBC and SBS met with Sara Elfving and Lars Arell, respectively representatives of the Swedish Board of Housing, Building and Planning and Ministry for Rural Affairs and Infrastructure, to discuss on the ongoing revision of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). On 1st January 2023, Sweden assumed the rotating Presidency of the EU Council for the next six months. According to its Presidency programme, the country will focus its efforts towards reinforcing European competitiveness and ensuring an efficient and effective internal market.
EBC and SBS welcome this focus, notably the importance given to the green and digital transition and the efforts to reduce administrative burdens. EBC and SBS presented the importance for construction SMEs and crafts to set a comprehensive and realistic framework in the Regulation. Indeed, EBC and SBS aim to reduce complexity while reinforcing and streamlining the standardization process, considering that this will set a solid base for further debates, as also highlighted by MEP Döleschal (EPP, Germany) in his IMCO draft Report in the European Parliament.
EBC and SBS explained the main challenges that construction SMEs are expected to face if the current text gets into force, sharing their proposals to render the text SME-friendly. In particular, we focused on clarifying and making applicable simplification procedures, on minimising administrative and financial burden, on achieving an inclusive digitalisation of the sector, and on setting up reasonable yet aspirational sustainability requirements.
The Swedish officials showed interest for a streamlined text that is equally understandable by all actors, while remaining ambitious. In particular, how simplification can be achieved to facilitate the access of the smallest enterprises in the European market was at the heart of the exchanges. Finally, the specific needs of construction SMEs in terms of creating a strategic and supportive legislation to increase their uptake of digitalisation was discussed.
EBC also mentioned its solid collaboration with FIEC, CPE and SBS on the CPR revision, to provide not only an SME perspective to the debates but also a collaborative industry positioning.
EBC will continue to closely monitor this strategic legislative dossier and engage with relevant stakeholders, sectoral and SME partners, as well as the European Parliament and Council.
 | To consult the official programme of the Swedish Presidency click here |