The Joint Research Centre (JRC) supports the implementation, harmonization and further development of the Eurocodes, the standards for sustainable competitiveness of the construction sector. These standards are part of the new European Commission's strategy to make European construction companies more competitive both within the EU and on the global market.

The Eurocodes have reached the final stage of national implementation by the Member States as they are now replacing all national standards, assuring more uniform safety levels for buildings and critical infrastructures within the EU. These European standards are part of the European Commission's strategy presented on 31 July 2012 to boost the construction sector. They play a key role on the design of buildings and other civil engineering works.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen (IPSC) has contributed since 2010 significantly in bringing the Eurocodes to their present stage and is now supporting their implementation, harmonization and further development. These new standards will replace all national standards within the EU, although each country has the option of adapting the Eurocodes to their specific conditions and risk assessment regarding climate, seismic risk, traditions, etc.

The strategy presented by the Commission proposes several initiatives to support the sector, including measures to make European construction companies more competitive both within the EU and on the global market through the further promotion of the Eurocodes. Construction is a crucial sector for the European economy, generating almost 10% of EU GDP and providing 20 million jobs. However, as a consequence of the financial and economic crisis and the housing bubble, building and infrastructure work fell by 16% between January 2008 and April 2012 across the EU.