Standards in legislation: a guarantee of quality and safety

Technical standards play a crucial role in construction and infrastructure. They guarantee the safety, quality and durability of the work carried out and should therefore be clearly defined in legislation.

Gauthier Michaux, structural engineer with the Walloon Public Service Mobility and Infrastructure, shares his experiences.

Clarity and precision

Incorporating technical standards into legislation requires careful clarification to avoid legal ambiguities. Gauthier Michaux coordinated the drafting of a regulation on signage on construction sites several years ago. He explains: "When you refer to a standard in a regulatory text, you have to indicate that the product complies with that standard 'or with an equivalent standard.' The technical reference should not be limited to a single standard. The industry should be able to demonstrate the equivalence of the product to another standard."

Legislation that is always up to date

Technical standards are constantly evolving and legislation must keep pace in order to remain relevant.Gauthier Michaux underlines the importance of the NBN portal for this purpose: "The NBN plays a valuable role by keeping us informed of all standards revisions.This keeps legislation in line with technical progress."

Monitoring and evaluating product compliance

Verifying that products meet technical standards is a major challenge. Testing materials at a construction site is often time-consuming and anything but practical. Yet it is sometimes the only way to ensure they meet those standards. The best alternative? Voluntary certification. "Europe requires CE marking for a whole range of construction products. This certification is mandatory if you want to put a product on the market, but it does not always guarantee that it meets the customer's specific requirements. In Belgium, the BENOR mark - the voluntary certification of construction products - provides an additional guarantee," explains the engineer.

The BENOR label strengthens user confidence. It shows that the product meets the standards and quality requirements. So you are doubly sure of the conformity and quality of the products used in construction.

International standards and local requirements

Belgian and European standards serve as technical references. In the construction sector, particularly road construction, there is little regulation. "It's more about technical requirements, which in Wallonia are included in the specifications. Consider Qualiroutes, for example. These are contractual requirements between a contractor and an administration," Gauthier Michaux clarified.

Technical standards in legislation are the cornerstone of the quality and safety of our infrastructure.Thanks to clear and precise references, regularly updated legislations strict control mechanisms, the sector parties guarantee compliance with the highest standards.