Construction Services Act
The Construction Services Act aims to foster free movement of construction and installation serices. Key policy options include stronger enforcement of the Services Directive, mutual recognition or harmonisation of qualifications and site card, and development of EU-wide standards. The initiative complements the Service Directive and links to other EU files, such as European Affordable Housing Plan, the Strategy for Housing Construction and the Fair Labour Mobility Package.
Skills Portable Initiative
The EU’s ability to move labour and skills across borders is held back by uneven implementation of qualification frameworks, fragmented digital systems, and inconsistent recognition procedures. Many skills remain invisible because they are not formally documented, and small and medium-sized enterprises struggle to navigate the complexity. Without coordinated EU action to improve transparency, harmonisation, and digital credentialing, these barriers will continue to limit mobility and worsen skills shortages across the Single Market.
Circular Economy Act
The proposed Circular Economy Act aims to establish a unified market for waste and secondary raw materials by tackling e-waste, reforming End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria, streamlining and digitalising Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and introducing mandatory circular procurement standards. For the Nordic region, key concerns include ensuring that existing building stock is treated as a primary resource, recognising circular construction as a distinct priority area, and safeguarding the role of Waste‑to‑Energy within district heating systems.
Framework to Increase Lending for Renovations
As part of the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the EU Commission is preparing a delegated act to guide lenders in increasing renovation lending, promote best practices, and ensure support reaches high‑need segments. The act may rely on energy performance certificates or ratings to identify worst‑performing buildings, meaning it could directly influence national EPBD implementation.