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Eurocodes: Building the future

Eurocodes history

  1. 1957
    Treaty of Rome

    Two treaties were signed on 25 March 1957 - the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom).

  2. 1971
    The Public Procurements Directive was issued
  3. 1975
    The Eurocodes development started

    The Eurocodes development started, as a result of the decision of the Commission of the European Community to embark on an action programme in the field of construction based on Article 95 of the Treaty of Rome. The objective of the programme was the elimination of technical obstacles to trade and the harmonisation of technical specifications by means of technical rules which, in the first stage, would serve as an alternative to the national rules in force in the Member States and, ultimately, would replace them.

  4. 1980
    International Inquiry

    An International Inquiry with regard to construction codes of practice was performed.

  5. 1984
    First Eurocodes published

    The first Eurocodes were published by the Commission with the help of a Steering Committee containing representatives of Member States.

  6. 1989
    Construction Products Directive

    The Construction Products Directive was issued. The CPD defines the essential requirements that construction products must satisfy.

  7. 1990
    ENVs started

    ENVs started, following a Mandate issued in 1989 by the Commission and the Member States, on the basis of an agreement with CEN, endorsed by the Standing Committee on Construction. The preparation and publication of the Eurocodes was transferred to CEN. The Eurocodes were intended to become European Standards.

  8. 1992
    Signing of the Maastricht Treaty & Publication of ENV Eurocodes

    Publication of ENV Eurocodes by CEN begun. Due to difficulties in harmonizing all the aspects of the calculation methods, the ENV Eurocodes included "boxed values" which allowed Member States to choose values for use on their territory. National Application Documents, which gave the details of how to apply ENV Eurocodes in Member States, were, generally, issued with a country's ENV.

  9. 1998
    Conversion of ENV to EN

    Conversion of ENV to EN was initiated following the Commission Mandate to CEN.

  10. 2002
    Birth of the Euro
  11. 2003
    Commission Recommendation

    The Commission Recommendation on the implementation and use of Eurocodes was issued. The EN Eurocodes are the recommended set of standards for the design of products and structures that satisfy the essential requirements of mechanical resistance and stability, as well as safety in case of fire. Member States are encouraged to adopt the recommended values of NDPs and to contribute to the promotion, further harmonization and development of the EN Eurocodes.

  12. 2004
    The Directive on Public Works contracts, Public Supply contracts and Public Service contracts was issued
  13. 2006
    The Directive on services in the internal market was issued
  14. 2007
    The Publication of EN Eurocodes was concluded

    The Publication of EN Eurocodes was concluded. The implementation programme entered the Coexistence Period, during which the EN Eurocodes were used in parallel with National Standards that have the same scope.

  15. 2010
    Mandate M/466 to CEN

    The European Commission addressed to CEN Programming Mandate M/466 in the field of the Structural Eurocodes

  16. 2011
    The Construction Products Regulation was issued

    The Construction Products Regulation was issued. It repeals the Construction Products Directive and lays down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products.

  17. 2012
    Mandate M/515 to CEN

    The European Commission addressed the Mandate M/515 to CEN for amending the existing Eurocodes and extending the scope of structural Eurocodes.

  18. 2013
    Declaration of Performance

    Declaration of Performance by manufacturers and CE marking under the Construction Products Regulation, starting on 1 July 2013.