Source: Think Tank -EU Parliament On 5 July 2023, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation on the production and marketing of forest reproductive material (FRM) to replace the current FRM Council Directive. The proposal would widen the scope of the current legislation to include not only [...]

According to a European Council document dated 22.01.2024, the institution representing the interests of the Member States is considering the possibility of a 3-month extension of the scrutiny period regarding the Delegated Regulation on fire performance testing of wooden cladding and panelling. According to the document, “the Permanent Representatives Committee [...]

In November 2023 compared with October 2023, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 1.0% in both the euro area and the EU, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In October 2023, production in construction fell by 0.6% in the euro [...]

Ahead of the  Council "Agriculture and Fisheries" meeting on 23 January 2024, member states representatives are invited to answer about the 3 specific questions: Considering the content of the Proposal and to guide the negotiations within the Council, Ministers are invited to exchange views on the following questions: 1. In [...]

9.1.2024 Priority question for written answer  P-000043/2024 to the Commission Rule 138 Christian Doleschal (PPE), Andreas Schwab (PPE) EU industry has started making the switch to using green raw materials in production processes as part of the transition, following the path set out in the Green Deal. For the Green [...]

The Belgian presidency programme sets out the priorities and main directions of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU. The Belgian term takes place from the 1st of January to the 30th of June 2024. Belgium assumes the rotating presidency for the thirteenth time, at a moment when [...]

Women working in the European Union (EU) construction, wood and forestry industries continue to be severely underrepresented. There is an upward trend, but the pace is slow. Too slow. This state of play needs to be altered, and the players need to focus more on the opportunities to achieve the [...]

On 18 December 2023, the pan-European NEBA Alliance consortium announced the winner of the call for proposals to launch the New European Bauhaus Academy. The NEB Academy, a training network first announced by President von der Leyen in Finland in November 2022, will aim to give a decisive push for [...]

Policy and standards briefing by ECOS Purpose of this briefing This briefing presents an overview of some of the recent policy and standards developments and their direct implications for stakeholders and experts of the construction sector and timber industry. The brief also empowers stakeholders to anticipate and prepare for the [...]

On the 18 December 2023,  the Pilot Testing of the Deforestation Information System started and will run till the end of January. 100 stakeholders will participate in this testing phase. This includes stakeholders across the relevant commodities, operators of different sizes (including SMEs and non-SMEs) and a geographical balance. The [...]