Indicators & Standards

As experienced in many other sectors, it is difficult to develop EU “Single Market” and support programs for SME in the absence of industry specific common indicators and standards. Therefore, the Cluster aims to develop sector-specific common indicators and standards that can be applied within the North-West European countries. This will further help in stimulating the market of sustainable renovation in NWE Region.

As a first step, the sustainable re novation was defined through an intensive consultative process involving members from the five North West European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, and The Netherlands). The Sustainable Renovation is now defined as follows:

“A process of conception and works in order to transform an existing building to fulfil the requirements of protecting the environment and the health of its users and taking into account the social and societal needs while achieving economic viability.”

Currently, ETECH is working together with its partner organisations within and outside the North West European Cluster for developing sector-specific common indicators and standards that will have widespread acceptance. The pilot projects in Ashford, Brussels, Val Maubee and Zoetermeer are also offering excellent opportunity to ensure that practical aspects are fully taken in to account while developing the definitions, criteria, indicators and standards which will have transnational recognition.

This action will set the basis for further development of sustainable renovation sector and of green markets in general within the North West European Region.