Albert Zegelaar: The European Regulatory Tsunami and Facade Construction in Oppression

The European Union, once established to promote peace and economic cooperation, today seems to present itself primarily as a factory of regulations. Directives and regulations flow in an incessant wave from Brussels to the member states, with the construction sector being one of the hardest hit areas. Within that sector, it is facade construction that is particularly squeaking and creaking under the increasing regulatory burden.

The intention behind European regulations is often noble - who could be against safety, sustainability and energy savings? But practice shows that the accumulation of technical requirements, certifications and administrative burdens has a paralyzing effect. For the facade builder, this means: more paperwork, higher costs and less room for innovation.

Take the new requirements around circular construction and its material passports. In theory a wonderful tool to reuse raw materials, in practice an oppressive nightmare. Facade builders must be able to prove for every screw where it came from, how it was produced and how it will be processed after disassembly. Fine for a multinational with an army of compliance officers. But disastrous for the small and medium-sized businesses that form the backbone of the facade construction industry.

On top of that, European legislators often ignore the national context. What is logical and feasible in Germany does not necessarily work the same in the Netherlands - let alone in Southern European countries. Yet all member states are lumped together. The result? Dutch façade builders have to invest in expensive modifications that are nice on paper, but in practice hardly contribute to better buildings.

The paradox is glaring: the construction industry, which is desperately needed to meet the sustainability and housing challenge, is being trapped by those same ambitions. Facade builders, essential for energy-efficient buildings, are increasingly unable to get their hands on new projects. Delays, rising costs and canceling clients are now the rule rather than the exception.

It is time for Europe to hold a mirror up to itself. Instead of translating every policy objective into a new layer of regulation, the emphasis should be on workability, proportionality and cooperation with the sector. Give room for practical solutions, encourage innovation and rely on the expertise of construction professionals.

The facade is the face of a building - and of our ambition. But if the pressure from above continues to increase, we risk that façade eventually collapsing under the weight of rules. And that is a problem not only for the construction industry, but for all of Europe.