Adoption of the Eurocodes in the Balkan Region

5-6 December 2013, Milan&JRC-Ispra, Italy

JRC Report Objectives Programme Workshop Presentations Conclusion Contact

JRC Report

This report addresses the activities carried out for the adoption and implementation of the Eurocodes in the non-EU countries in the Balkan region within the context of the Enlargement and Integration Action of the JRC.

The considerable interest in the implementation and adoption of the Eurocodes in the Balkan region is based on the opportunity to have an advanced common standardization environment, which is adaptable to the particular requirements of each country with regard to the geographical, geological or climatic conditions and also allows selecting the level of safety. Moreover, adoption and implementation of Eurocodes will help the Candidate Countries to fully implement EU acquis at the time of accession and support Potential Candidate Countries to progressively align themselves with the EU acquis.

The main objective of the activities presented herein was to focus on progress and specific needs for adoption and implementation of the Eurocodes and related EN standards in the Balkan region. Generally, it may be concluded that most of the non-EU countries in the Balkan region are going to use the Eurocodes as primary standards. These countries are aware about needs for harmonization of national legislation and standardization framework for construction with EU legislation. However, in most of the countries there is a lack of relevant institutional support for adoption and implementation of the Eurocodes.

Download the whole report (2.4M)

Objectives

The considerable interest in implementation and adoption of the Eurocodes in the Balkan region is based on the opportunity to have an advanced common standardization environment, which is adaptable to the particular requirements of each country with regard to the geographical, geological or climatic conditions and also allows selecting the level of safety. Moreover, adoption and implementation of Eurocodes will help the Candidate Countries to fully implement EU acquis at the time of accession and support Potential Candidate Countries to progressively align themselves with the EU acquis.

The Workshop is organized within the framework of JRC Enlargement and Integration Action and intends to foster the implementation of the Eurocodes in non-EU countries in the Balkan region.

The workshop is focused on progress and specific needs for adoption and implementation of the Eurocodes and related EN standards in the Balkan region.

In particular, it is envisaged that the Workshop and round table discussion will serve the following objectives:

• Assess the level of commitment and the progress of adopting the Eurocodes;
• Assess the level of harmonization of national policy/legislation with EU regulatory frameworks;
• Assess the progress of definition of Nationally Determined Parameters (NDPs)
• Define the strategies for training and elaboration of guidelines and training materials;
• Facilitate exchange of views, knowledge and information between EU experts and representatives of non-EU countries in the Balkan region;
• Facilitate regional cooperation in preparing National Annexes and harmonization of NDPs

For more information on the workshop download the workshop flyer.

Workshop Programme

The programme of the workshop is composed of three parts:

• Lectures delivered by invited experts from JRC and DG ENTR of European Commission, CEN/CENELEC and EU member states;
• National presentations of non-EU countries about adoption of the Eurocodes (standards and legislation); specific problems and needs, training, guidelines and training material;
• Round table discussions regarding adoption of the Eurocodes in the Balkan region – conclusions and recommendations.

Download the workshop agenda.

Workshop Presentations

Thursday, 5 December, 2013
Morning Session

• Welcome address and introduction
  A.V. Pinto – JRC European Commission
• Enlargement and Integration Action
  F. Taucer – JRC European Commission
  (on behalf of Mr. L. Zanier, DG, JRC, Interinstitutional and Stakeholder Relations Unit (A05))
• EU policies and legislation for the construction sector
  G. Katsarakis, DG ENTR, European Commission
• CEN strategies and plans for a global acceptance of the Eurocodes
  G. Ascensao – CEN&CENELEC Programme Manager
• JRC support to the implementation of the Eurocodes
  S. Dimova – DG, JRC, European Commission

Thursday, 5 December, 2013
Afternoon Session

• Visit to ELSA
  F. Taucer – DG JRC, European Commission
• The Eurocodes: present and future
  G. Breitschaft – Vice Chairman TC250
• Experience in preparing the National Annexes in EU MS
  P. Spehl – SECO, Belgium
  V.Angelieva & I. Dabizheva – Ministry of Regional Development and Public Work & Bulgarian Institute for Standardization, Bulgaria
  Z. Savor – University of Zagreb, Croatia
• Existing instruments for funding and technical assistance (TAIEX)
  A. Zilhao – DG ELARG, European Commission

Friday, 6 December, 2013
Morning Session

• Country report – Albania
  V. Muka – Studio “TX – Muka”& Builder Association Member
• Country report – Serbia
  D. Pajovic – Institute for Standardization of Serbia
• Country report – Croatia
  V. Gacesa-Moric – Croatian Standard Institute & V. Rajcic – University of Zagreb, Croatia
• Country report – the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
  Lj. Davcev – Institute for standardization of Republic of Macedonia
• Country report - Turkey
  A. Erenler – Ministry of Environment and Urbanism

Friday, 6 December, 2013
Afternoon Session

• Country report – Montenegro
  B. Glavatovic – Seismological Observatory of Montenegro
• Country report – Bosnia and Herzegovina
  S. Dzidic – International Burch University
• Country report – Moldova
  I. Sokol – National Standardization Institute
• Summary of the Questionnaires
  R. Apostolska – DG, JRC, European Commission

Conclusion

• Conclusions

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