Business sectors

Structural Eurocodes are a comprehensive set of standards dedicated to the design of building and civil engineering works. The 59 parts on Structural Eurocodes produced by CEN/TC 250 ‘Structural Eurocodes’ provide rules on principles of design, actions on structures, geotechnical design, and structural design rules for the use of all major materials, such as concrete, steel, composite steel and concrete, timber, masonry, and aluminium.

Structural Eurocodes are equally applicable to both whole structures and individual elements (products). They are widely used in the construction and civil engineering sector across Europe and beyond. The Eurocodes are under revision to incorporate improvements to the existing suite to reflect the state of the art. The revision will enhance user-friendliness, without reducing applicability. This change will assist new entrants to the market and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In the frame of Standardization Request M/515 (Eurocodes), CEN has been requested to revise existing Eurocodes standards to incorporate improvements that reflect the state of the art and the needs of the market. This work is carried out by CEN/TC 250 in cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders, including structural design companies, the scientific community, industry associations, and engineers, with the support of the European Commission and its Joint Research Centre (JRC).

In 2026, CEN/TC 250 will continue working on the following standards:

• EN 19100-1 ‘Eurocode 10 – Design of glass structures – Part 1: General rules’
• EN 1992-4 ‘Eurocode 2 – Design of concrete structures – Part 4: Design of fastenings for use in concrete’
• EN 1995-1-3 ‘Eurocode 5 – Design of timber structures – Part 1-3: Timber-concrete composite structures’

CEN/TC 350 ‘Sustainability of construction works’ is responsible for the development of horizontal standardized methods for the assessment of sustainability aspects of new and existing construction works (buildings and civil engineering works), including standards for environmental product declarations (EPD, B2B and B2C).

CEN/TC 350 will continue working on a brand-new standard, EN 18177 ‘Circular economy in the construction sector – Framework, principles, and definitions,’ which defines key terminology, establishes circular economy principles at the levels of construction works as well as construction products of all kinds, and provides a guidance framework for the implementation and assessment of circularity in the built environment.

DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES

In 2026, CEN/TC 351 ‘Construction Products: Assessment of release of dangerous substances’ will focus on the revision of standards for the assessment of the release of dangerous substances in construction products. These activities will support the new CPR (Regulation (EU) 2024/3110) in view of the upcoming Standardization Request which has been developed based on input from the CPR Acquis.

BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM)

The standardization of Building Information Modelling (BIM) contributes to the effective management of information during the design, construction, and operational phases of an asset’s life cycle. The development of BIM is advancing rapidly and requires the application of common standards to ensure the future compatibility of information exchange and use.

In 2026, CEN/TC 442 ‘Building Information Modelling (BIM)’ will also focus on the development of a CEN Technical Specification (TS) to provide a structured methodology for CEN Technical Committees (CEN/TCs) to support digital transformation. This Technical Specification will utilize BIM deliverables to standardize key terms, definitions, data templates, construction objects, properties, and reference documents in standards produced by CEN Technical Committees.

In addition, CEN/TC 442 will continue the development of a brand-new standard that provides a methodology, with general requirements and criteria for the data templates for the Declaration of Performance and Conformity (DoPC) of construction products, aligned with the digital product passport with standards under development in CEN/CLC/JTC 24.

CONCRETE PRODUCTS

Under the standardization request M/609, CEN/TC 177 ‘Prefabricated reinforced components of autoclaved aerated concrete or light-weight aggregate concrete with open structure’ and CEN/TC 229 ‘Precast concrete products’ will develop performance harmonized standards in support of Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (CPR-2011). CEN/TC 177 will also continue working on EN 18185 ‘Sustainability of construction works – Environmental product declarations – Product Category Rules for precast lightweight concrete with an open structure and precast autoclaved aerated concrete’, which will be an assessment method for the essential characteristics of environmental sustainability.

CEMENT

Under the standardization request M/615, CEN/TC 51 ‘Cement and building limes’ will focus on the development of several harmonized standards in support of the new Construction Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/3110).

STRUCTURAL METALLIC PRODUCTS

Under the standardization request M/616, some Technical Committees, such as CEN/TC 128 ‘Roof covering products for discontinuous laying and products for wall cladding’ and CEN/TC 132 ‘Aluminium and aluminium alloys’, will continue working on harmonized standards in support of CPR 2011.