Conference "Eurocodes, Building Codes for Europe"

Those methods are intended to become the recommended means used in Europe, to design construction works and to check their conformity to the essential requirements N°1 (mechanical resistance and stability, including such aspects linked to N°4 safety in use), and aspects of N°2 (safety in case of fire).

A first set of "Eurocodes" was developed under the responsibility of the Commission, in co-operation with Member States, and published in 1984. In 1989, the preparation and the publication of the Eurocodes were transferred to CEN through a series of mandates given by the Commission. Therefore, the Eurocodes have taken the status of European standards. Then CEN has prepared a series of "pre-standards, completed in 1998. These pre-standards (ENVs) were established in such a way that Member States were allowed to alter many rules and numerical values.

Since 1998, CEN has started to convert the "pre-standards" into "European standards EN", with the support of the European Commission (improving the formulation of the models, and reducing the national choices now called "Nationally Determined Parameters - NDPs). The first two standards in the new series were approved in 2001. In 2002, we are expecting 8 new standards, making 10 out of the 58 expected.

The aim of the conference is to present the Eurocodes to a wide audience covering all areas of the construction sector. The benefits, content, route for implementation, practicability and organisation of the project work will also be covered in depth. There will be opportunities for participants to discuss and share experiences on the future use and accessibility of the Eurocodes.