EU Policies and Demolition

Gunther Wolff

Environment Directorate-General, European Commission

EU Policies: An overview

Policies stemming from different areas of legislation can have an impact on a sector

Construction and Demolition is concerned by policies from different DGs

1. EMPL

2. ENV

3. Others

Problem: difficulty to have an overview of relevant policies at EU level (plus national/regional/local level)

This presentation shall explain the main policies

Intro: Sources of EU Law

EU Law is not that complicated… or is it?

Sources of EU Law: Treaty

International agreements (ILO- WHO – IMO – etc)

Secondary EU legislation: Directives Regulations Recommendations Resolutions Decisions

Case-law – Court of Justice

Sustainable Construction Policies

Construction activities underpin most other activities in society: economic, social, environmental, safety & health (infrastructure, buildings, plants, hospitals, schools..)

Construction sector can significantly contribute to sustainability

Applying the sustainability principle to Construction: Economic aspects:

provide the benefits of the construction projects at affordable cost Environmental aspects:

Use less energy during construction and use Use less raw materials Cause less pollution and less waste

Social aspects: Provide safe workplaces with good social conditions

EMPL: Health and Safety

Framework Directive 89/391/EEC

Objective: To encourage improvements in the safety and To encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at workhealth of workers at work

Scope: All sectors of activity, both public and private with All sectors of activity, both public and private with very few exceptions : certain activities within the armed very few exceptions : certain activities within the armed forces or the police or the civil protectionforces or the police or the civil protection

General Provision: The employer must ensure the safety The employer must ensure the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to the workand health of workers in every aspect related to the work

EMPL: Health and Safety

Framework Directive 89/391/EEC The worker, on the other hand, also has several obligations too, inter alia,

follow employers' health and safety instructions or to report potential dangers.

The Framework Directive also promotes the workers' right to make proposals relating to health and safety, to appeal to the competent authority and to halt work in the event of serious danger, as part of the participative approach laid down by the Directive.

“The underlying goal is to protect the health and safety of workers and ensure that at the end of his/her working day, the worker will return to his/her family in good health”.

- Chemical Agents- Chemical Agents- Carcinogens- Carcinogens- Biological Agents- Biological Agents- Asbestos- Asbestos

-- WorkplaceWorkplace-- Use of Work EquipmentUse of Work Equipment- Use of Personal Protective Use of Personal Protective

EquipmentEquipment

-Construction Construction sites.sites.

Physical agentsPhysical agents::- VibrationsVibrations- NoiseNoise- EMFEMF- Optical RadiationOptical Radiation

- Manual Handling of LoadsManual Handling of Loads- Safety Signs- Safety Signs

On basis of Article 137On basis of Article 137of the EC Treatyof the EC Treaty

FrameworkFramework DirectiveDirective 89/391/EEC89/391/EEC

Individual directives are derived from the Individual directives are derived from the framework directive to encourage framework directive to encourage

improvements on safety and health at workimprovements on safety and health at work

-- On Board VesselsOn Board Vessels-- Maritime Medical AssistanceMaritime Medical Assistance

- - Extractive IndustriesExtractive Industries

EMPL: Health and Safety

Council Directive 92/57/EEC sets minimum safety and health requirements at temporary or mobile construction site. It highlights the coordination required by the various parties before and during construction:

clients/project supervisors have to appoint one or more safety and health coordinators

clients/project supervisors have to ensure that a safety and health plan is prepared before the construction phase starts

clients/project supervisors have to take safety and health into account when designing the project

during the construction phase coordinators have to ensure that risks are adequately managed and that the health and safety plan is taken into account

cooperation between employers in matters of safety and health has to be implemented and procedures monitored.

Construction and Demolition Wastes

Construction and DemolitionWastes: Over 500 M t/a in the EU

Approx. 55% of CDW are recycled

Diverging recycling rates in the EU: D, B, NL, DK > 80% E, P, GR < 20%

Conclusions:

Valuable ressources, recycling rates can be increased

Hazardous substances have to be separated

Selective Deconstruction is crucial

ENV: Waste Policies

The new Waste Framework Directive (WFD)

Published: Nov 2008, entered into force: Dec 2008

Deadline for MS transposition 12 December 2010

Principles: Minimise the negative environmental impacts

Waste prevention

From cradle to cradle

Waste as a valuable resource

Waste hierarchy

Waste Hierarchy

PREVENTION

PREPARING FOR REUSE

RECYCLING (COMPOSTING)

OTHER RECOVERY (ENERGY RECOVERY)

DISPOSAL

Prevention of Negative effects on human health and environment

Hazardous Wastes Cannot be mixed Separation required Treatment/Disposal in authorised facilities Examples:

Asbestos ODS foams

Special case: gypsum Recycling target:

by 2020, the preparing for re-use, recycling and other material recovery, including backfilling operations using waste to substitute other

materials, of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste excluding naturally occurring material defined in category 17 05 04

in the list of waste shall be increased to a minimum of 70 % by weight.

WFD – practical implications for Construction and Demolition Wastes

More infos?

EU Construction Information Portal:

www.exploreconstruction.eu

Thank you for your attention

European Commission – DG ENV.C2Sustainable Consumption and ProductionBeaulieulaan 5B-1160 Brussel

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/index.htm