In January 2025, Small Business Standards (SBS), the European association representing SMEs in the standardisation process at European and international levels, appointed a new group of 79 experts in key standardisation committees. These experts, nominated by SME organisations, will work within the International and European standardisation bodies to ensure that SME needs are considered in the development of new standards.
Among them, 24 experts are specifically dedicated to the construction sector, playing a vital role in ensuring that relevant standards remain accessible and beneficial for construction SMEs and crafts. These experts participate in various technical committees and working groups covering a wide range of construction-related topics, from timber structures to sustainable construction materials and digitalisation.
With the recent publication of the new Construction Products Regulation (CPR) (EU) 2024/3110, effective from 7 January 2025, a large number of standards will need to be updated. SBS experts participate in numerous product-related Technical Committees (TCs), engaging in preparing standards for their respective products to align with the new requirements. SBS experts are also actively participating in the CPR Acquis process, collaborating to prepare the relevant standardisation requests, ensuring that the unique needs and concerns of SMEs are considered in the evolving regulatory framework.
A key focus area for the 2025 experts is the digital transformation of the construction sector. This includes the increasing use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the collection and digitalisation of information about buildings and civil engineering works. By engaging in technical committees such as CEN TC 442 (Building Information Modelling) and ISO TC 59 (Buildings and civil engineering works), experts will work to ensure that digital tools support SME competitiveness and efficiency rather than creating additional burdens.
By appointing these experts, SBS reaffirms its commitment to making the standardisation system more inclusive and SME-friendly. Through their expertise and active participation, the experts will help shape a regulatory environment that allows SMEs in the construction sector to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
EBC, as a founding member and partner of SBS, coordinates the involvement of construction sector experts, ensuring that SME perspectives are effectively represented in the European and international standardisation framework.
| Find out more about the SBS experts and their impact: https://sbs-sme.eu/about-us/our-structure/experts/ |