European Builders Confederation EBC

🏗️EBC 35th Anniversary Conference “Small #Construction Companies, Big Local Impact: A 2040 Vision for Construction SMEs and Crafts”: agenda and registration now available! On 1 October 2025, EBC will host its 35th Anniversary Conference at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels, celebrating over three decades of commitment to Europe’s micro and small construction companies. The conference will unveil the study “EU Micro Companies in the Construction Sector: Rising to the 2040 Climate Challenge”, developed with CLIMACT. This forward-looking research investigates how micro construction businesses can navigate the green transition by adapting #skills, evolving business models, and embracing new opportunities for sustainable growth. Join EBC in celebrating 35 years of supporting Europe’s construction #SMEs and craft trades - and take part in shaping a sustainable and inclusive built environment for the future. 📑 Draft agenda: https://lnkd.in/dUZ3957s ➡️ Register here (limited seats): https://lnkd.in/dAeaf56k 🔗More info: https://lnkd.in/dhSEu959 #EBC35years

👷 Health & Safety: Join the first BEEYONDERS workshop on human-centric innovation improving OHS in #buildings and road projects! On 6 October 2025, from 10:00 to 13:00 CEST, EBC and its partners in the Horizon Europe project #BEEYONDERS will host an online #workshop on how innovative technologies can enhance worker #safety, efficiency, and well-being. The session will showcase solutions already tested on pilot sites across Spain, Finland and Italy, such as autonomous robots, aerial robots, #exoskeletons and wearable sensors. Participants will also hear insights from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) and join an interactive #exchange, including a survey on #GenderInclusion and workplace well-being. This is the first of 2 workshops: a follow-up session will later focus on health & safety in tunnel and maritime projects. 👉 EBC proudly supports the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) #EUHealthyWorkplaces Campaign, promoting safe, fair, and innovative workplaces through projects like BEEYONDERS. ➡️Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dc-EBTH5 ✅ Register now to take part: https://lnkd.in/dcQEyCsK 📄 Agenda: https://lnkd.in/dpFkwgJF

📢 EBC & Small Business Standards (SBS) Joint Press release European Builders Confederation & Small Business Standards (SBS) are proud to announce the publication of a joint paper, offering a practical, proportionate, and SME-friendly guide to implementing the new sustainability requirements of the Construction Products Regulation (#CPR). For a seamless implementation, EBC and SBS highlight challenges affecting manufacturers, particularly #SMEs, and possible solutions. As SBS Secretary General Maitane Olabarria Uzquiano states: "SMEs need mechanisms and guidance that reflect the way they work: diverse, local, and flexible.” EBC Secretary General Fernando Sigchos Jiménez emphasised: "Our recommendations aim to deliver on environmental ambitions, boost SME competitiveness and reflect the operational reality of the construction sector." ➡️Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dQpETAWd 📄Read the full position paper here: https://lnkd.in/dtWxYADz

📢 Late Payments: European Commission launches SME survey The European Commission has launched an SME panel #survey to assess the impact of late payments and evaluate whether further EU action is needed in 2026. Late payments continue to affect the liquidity, investment capacity, and survival of #SMEs across Europe. The survey gathers input on the challenges businesses face and potential policy measures to strengthen the EU’s Late Payment framework. The survey is available in all EU languages and will remain open for responses until 25 September 2025. EBC encourages SMEs and their representatives to participate and share their experiences to foster a prompt #payment culture. ➡️ Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dpqsFq76 📝 Access the SME survey here: https://lnkd.in/gFnURuhZ

📢 Standardisation: new version of the EBC-Small Business Standards (SBS) guide on the #Construction Products Regulation (CPR) for SMEs now available! This guide aims to make the new legal framework more #accessible, practical, and user-friendly, helping #SMEs prepare for obligations that will gradually apply from January 2026. This updated version notably: 🟦 Reflects the final #CPR text adopted  🟨 Highlights roles and obligations for #SME manufacturers, importers, distributors, authorised representatives, and product users   🟦 Introduces practical guidance on #sustainability requirements and the upcoming Digital Product Passport ➡️ Read more here: https://lnkd.in/daHa5s45 📘 Access the guide: https://lnkd.in/dU-iYyBF

🌱 Sustainability Reporting: EBC welcomes adoption of the VSME Standard The European Commission has adopted the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for Non-Listed Micro-, Small-, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (#VSME) as an official Recommendation, streamlining sustainability reporting for #SMEs across Europe. The Recommendation provides a single, unified framework, replacing fragmented questionnaires often requested by banks, investors, and business partners, and helps mitigate the trickle-down effect from larger companies’ reporting obligations. EBC supported the work of SMEunited in shaping the VSME within #EFRAG’s framework and strongly encourages its uptake to #simplify voluntary SME reporting, particularly in the construction sector. ➡️ Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dm_BKqTC 📄 Read more about the Commission Recommendation on the VSME: https://lnkd.in/eYJUiymG

🔍 Digitalisation: EBC responds consultation on Digital Product Passport (DPP) Service Providers EBC stresses that the success of the DPP in #construction will depend on its implementation, building on our involvement in the feasibility study on the DPP system for the #Construction Products Regulation. In our reply to the European Commission, we notably call for: 🟦Proportionate #certification rules, with a hybrid certification model combining self-declaration with third-party verification where justified 🟨Allowing SME organizations to act as #service providers 🟦Legal clarity on roles and #responsibilities for all actors 🟨Preserving #data ownership and control for manufacturers[FS1]  🟦Interoperable, user-friendly, and cost-effective technical solutions 🟨Practical #onboarding tools and support for SMEs with limited digital capacity EBC is committed to ensuring the DPP is practical, accessible, and affordable for #SMEs in the construction sector. 📄 Read the full EBC reply: https://lnkd.in/dmkPMn7i ➡️ Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dF-Q_Zar

🏗️Construction Blueprint 2 builds on the success of the first project to: • Upskill workers for a sustainable & digital industry • Support the Pact for Skills in Construction • Foster collaboration & innovation across the sector 🎥 Watch the video to see how we’re contributing to shaping the future of construction. #ConstructionBlueprint #SkillsStrategy #GreenTransition #DigitalConstruction #PactForSkills

📢 The EBC office will be closed from 11 to 15 August for a well-deserved break. We'll be back on Monday, 18 August, recharged and ready to continue our work for Europe’s construction sector. ☀️Enjoy your holidays!

The Construction Voice, July 2025 🟦 #Housing: EBC publishes SME proposals to tackle Europe’s housing crisis, calling for long-term funding, simpler rules, and a focus on renovation 🟨 #Skills: EBC outlines its position on the upcoming EU Quality Jobs Roadmap, pushing for a flexible, sector-sensitive approach 🟦 #Housing: EBC meets MEP Borja Giménez Larraz to share SME views ahead of the European Parliament’s HOUS Report 🟨 #Sustainability: EBC welcomes EU Council agreement to ease sustainability reporting rules under the Omnibus Simplification Package 🟦 #Skills: EBC joins EAfA panel on STEM and women apprenticeships, advocating inclusive programmes and SME support 🟨 #Digitalisation: EBC responds to EU consultation on Digital Product Passports, calling for clear rules and SME access 🟦 EBC welcomes #ECAP as new associate member, strengthening collaboration in construction policy 🟨 #Standardisation: Small Business Standards (SBS) launches 2026 call for SME experts – applications open until 9 September 🟦 #SustainableConstruction: EBC attends BIO4EEB General Assembly in Valencia, advancing bio-based insulation for greener buildings 🔎 Save the Date! EBC 35th Anniversary Conference – 1 October, Brussels ➡️ Read the full newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dTbC6f36