Time line

1957

Treaty of Rome

1971

The Public Procurements Directive was issued.

1975

Eurocodes 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.

1980

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

1984

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

1989

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

1990

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.

1992

Signing of the Maastricht Treaty

1992

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.

1998

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

2002

Birth of the Euro

2003

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.

2004

The Directive on Public Works contracts, Public Supply contracts and Public Service contracts was issued.

2006

The Directive on services in the internal market was issued.

2007

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.

2010

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

2011

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

2012

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

2013

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