Time line
1957
Treaty of Rome

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
First Eurocodes

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
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

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.