Digital Trasformation for Construction SMEs in EBC Annual Report
The 2016/2017 Report presents EBC's most recent efforts to defend and promote the interests of the building sector’s micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.
> Economic Forum - Krynica, a recipe for the coming decades
> EU - Regions, survey on obstacles to investment
With its 17 members all across Europe, EBC represents micro, small and medium-sized companies on a European level. This year EBC was confronted with new challenges, met its efficiency targets and has welcomed a new association member, WKÖ, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.
EBC is a key player in Europe and its active contribution is well recognised in all spheres of the construction sector. This is why EBC’s next goal is to join the European Social Dialogue Committee for Construction as a full member and contribute to the important issues on its agenda with our members’ input.
The Annual Report contains an outline of the key themes of the past year with regard to EBC policy areas.
Social Affairs
EBC is involved in particular with the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive. The current EU legal framework does not prevent abuses in the posting of workers and this puts many small construction companies at risk. EU rules on labour mobility should be enforced in a fair, simple and effective way.
Furthermore, EBC continues to pay close attention to the legislative framework covering work-related cancers. EBC members are highly committed to working on the prevention of exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica dust in construction activities, amongst other measures by improved work techniques, changes in work processes and methods, and dissemination and exchange of best practices. However, limits on exposure levels must be proportionate to the concerned occupational risk and be technically measurable. Construction SMEs need help and guidance to comply with these legislative and technical requirements imposed by the European institutions.
> EU - public consultation on the Black List of Airlines
Energy and environment
The revisions of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive offer a major opportunity for jobs and growth in Europe’s SMEs. However, it is important for European policy makers to take into consideration construction microenterprises and SMEs’ specific needs.
Standardisation
The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) is the most important piece of legislation for standardisation in the construction sector, since it sets the conditions for the CE marking of construction products. EBC constantly monitors and tries to positively influence the implementation of this regulation, its review and its possible revision. No review of the CPR could be complete without properly assessing its impact on SMEs.
This Annual Report also has a special feature on BIM – Building Information Modelling – and on what innovation and digital transformation mean for construction SMEs.
