European Commission reply to MEP Peter Agius on building codes, confirms Malta did not implement EU recommendations offers assistance to Malta to reduce accidents in construction.
Following a request by MEP Peter Agius acting upon Isabelle Bonnici’s call to see building codes implemented in Mata, today the European Commission replied to MEP Agius’s call for assistance confirming that Malta did not implement the Eurocode recommendations and opening up for assistance to help with reducing the number of construction accidents in Malta.
‘We must use our EU membership to solve local problems especially when it comes to addressing the worrying cases of accidents and fatalities in the construction industry. It’s no use pandering that we are the best in Europe when we see a dramatic increase in fatalities at the workplace and keep failing to implement EU rules.’ said MEP Peter Agius.
MEP Agius’ call addressed to European Commission Vice-President Sejourne included a request to use the expertise of the EU’s Joint Research Centre to increase safety in Malta’s construction industry to publish a national annexe for the EU’s building codes. Such national annexe would increase safety and security of buildings in Malta while providing for a more objective reference for the roles and responsibilities of industry actors. In its’ reply the European Commission opens up to MEP Agius’ proposal replying that:
‘3. The Commission has long experience in supporting the implementation and practical use of the Eurocodes at the technical level, including through training and capacity building for national authorities, national standards bodies, academia and practitioners. […] The Commission will continue to support the implementation and use of the upcoming second-generation Eurocodes, expected to be published in 2027, and remains available to discuss specific needs for support.’
‘Now it is even clearer than ever before. Government should seek EU technical assistance to implement the building codes in Malta, adapting them to the local industry setting including the particular qualities of our natural stone and building methods. I will keep striving to use European solutions for concrete results for families in Malta and Gozo.’ concluded MEP Peter Agius.
Access both the Parliamentary question and EU Commission’s answers through the following links:
Parliamentary question | Answer for question P-002974/24 | P-002974/2024(ASW) | European Parliament
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