Towards the publication of the Second Generation Eurocodes: the European Commission Mandate M/515 is now completed

During the plenary meeting of CEN/TC 250 “Structural Eurocodes” (17-18 November 2022), the successful completion of M/515 EN – European Commission Mandate for amending existing Eurocodes and extending the scope of structural Eurocodes, was announced. The completion of the work planned in the framework of the Mandate M/515 marks an important milestone for the publication of the Second Generation Eurocodes.

The European Commission had sent the M/515 EN standardisation mandate to the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) at the end of 2012, following the CEN reply to the Programming Mandate M/466 EN (2010), where the needs for at least one additional Eurocode (on design and detailing of structural glass) and substantial additions to the existing Eurocodes were established.M/515 initiated a process of further evolution of the Eurocodes, incorporating improvements to the existing standards and extending their scope. The detailed work programme developed by CEN/ TC 250 as a reply to M/515 ensures that the so-called Second Generation of the Eurocodes continues to be the most comprehensive and advanced state-of-the-art codes for structural and geotechnical design in the world. The new suite will remain fully up to date through embracing new methods, new materials, and new regulatory and market requirements. The work programme provided a consistent path towards the Second Generation of Eurocodes, to fulfil their systemic evolution as the necessary basis for long-term confidence throughout the different countries that adopt them.

The activities under M/515 were carried out by CEN/TC 250 in cooperation with stakeholders, including structural design companies, the scientific community, industry associations and engineers, supported by the European Commission and its Joint Research Centre (JRC). The work programme was implemented in 2015-2022, covering the whole Eurocode suite as well as the forthcoming Eurocode on structural glass. The work phases featured:

• The assessment for potential reduction of the number of NDPs;
• The improvement of the user-friendliness of Eurocodes, without reducing their applicability, in order to facilitate new entrants to the market and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
• The incorporation of recent studies, research and experience relevant to innovation in design and construction, as well as to contribution of structural design to sustainability – in particular, new areas were developed including the assessment of existing structures and the use of structural glass, fibre-reinforced polymers and membrane structures. These tasks were carried on by TC 250 Working Groups (WGs) 2, 3, 4 and 5 following a step-by-step approach;
• The adoption of ISO standards to supplement the Eurocode family in the fields of atmospheric icing of structures and action of waves and currents on coastal structures;
• The development of auxiliary guidance documents to facilitate feedback from stakeholders and practical local implementation;
• The elaboration of a clear and complete list of background documents;
• The development of a technical report analysing and providing guidance for potential amendments of the Eurocodes (general and material specific), with regard to structural design addressing relevant impacts of future climate change.

CEN/TC 250 has produced a comprehensive publication schedule showing when Enquiry and Formal Vote ballots will be launched; the Second Generation Eurocodes are expected to be released by 2025. To date, definitive text has been made available for the following Eurocode Parts:

• CEN/TS 19100-1:2021 Design of glass structures — Part 1: Basis of design and materials
• CEN/TS 19100-2:2021 Design of glass structures — Part 2: Design of out-of-plane loaded glass components
• CEN/TS 19100-3:2021 Design of glass structures — Part 3: Design of in-plane loaded glass components and their mechanical joints
• CEN/TS 19103:2021 Eurocode 5 — Design of Timber Structures - Structural design of timber-concrete composite structures - Common rules and rules for buildings
• EN 1996-1-1:2022 Eurocode 6 — Design of masonry structures - Part 1-1: General rules for reinforced and unreinforced masonry structures
• EN 1993-1-1:2022 Eurocode 3 — Design of steel structures - Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings
• CEN/TS 1993-1-101:2022 Eurocode 3 — Design of steel structures - Part 1-101 Alternative method for members in bending and compression
• CEN/TS 19101:2022 Design of Fibre-polymer composite structures