The European Union is planning to introduce construction industry directives aimed at bringing member countries into line with best practice.

It has commissioned QSs Bernard Williams Associates and Davis Langdon to identify best and worst practices in costs, competition, health and safety and resources in 10 countries by October.

A second phase is expected to encompass all member states and require the QSs to recommend directives. The two firms will report to the Enterprise and Industry Directorate General of the European Commission.

David Crossthwaite, a consultant at Davis Langdon, said: “We will particularly look at the differences between countries, especially where they affect efficiency. For example, we’ll look at why it takes longer to get something built in some countries than in others.”

Key indicators will be how the industry is structured, how much it contributes to the country’s GDP, the importance of the public sector in construction, the terms and conditions used and build rates per metre squared.

The 10 countries have not been confirmed, but Crossthwaite said they were likely to be major countries in Western Europe.

The two QSs will each put a team of at least three people on the project, which was won through a competitive tender. They will work with an advisory panel of European academics and construction professionals.

Source

QS News