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Construction sector competitiveness

Construction sector competitiveness

A sustainable and competitive European construction industry brings many benefits to society and the EU economy. The sector is affected by several other policies, such as environmental protection, energy efficiency, work safety, taxation, and public procurement. The objective of the European Commission is to promote a favourable framework to boost competitiveness and support sustainable growth in the sector.

Benefits of a more competitive construction industry

  • produces buildings and infrastructure adapted to changing social and economic needs
  • meets global challenges such as energy security and climate change
  • provides an attractive sector to work in, complete with excellent opportunities for career development, good pay, and improved health and safety.

Read more on industrial competitiveness.

Strategy for sustainable competitiveness

In 2012, the Commission published a Communication Strategy for the sustainable competitiveness of the construction sector and its enterprises. The document is a part of the Europe 2020 initiative. It focuses on the promotion of favourable market conditions for sustainable growth in the construction sector. Five areas are addressed:

  1. Financing and digitalisation: especially for energy efficient investments in the renovation of buildings and for research and innovation in a smart, sustainable, and inclusive environment
  2. Skills and qualifications: workforce and management training for job creation through up-skilling and apprenticeships to meet demands for new competencies
  3. Resource efficiency: focusing on low emission construction, recycling and valorisation of construction, and demolition waste
  4. Regulatory framework: emphasis on reducing the administrative burden for enterprises, and particularly SMEs
  5. International competition: encouraging the uptake of Eurocodes and promoting the spread of new financial tools and contractual arrangements in non-EU countries.

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