Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2026
85. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to give an update on the NSAI engagement with the European Construction strategy, alignment with EU MMC standards plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29198/26]
View answerNSAI Agrément issue technical certification for new and innovative products and processes in building and materials technology. The NSAI continually monitors and reviews external developments which impact the process for Agrément certification. This includes understanding and considering potential matters or issues arising from regulatory, statutory EU Directives, EU Regulations (i.e. Construction Products Regulation (CPR) 2024) and/or Irish Building Regulations. The NSAI contributes where requested or invited by the European Commission, to provide any inputs or insights, into the work of the Commission’s DG GROW or for the CPR Acquis process. This may include attendance at EU fora, EU Standards committee involvement or engagement, completing EU surveys, and membership of EOTA (as a TAB – Technical Assessment Body).
In relation to the European Strategy for Housing Construction document and the new European Affordable Housing Plan, the NSAI MMC Certification business unit is currently engaged with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage to assist as required. Further work and guidance may also be required by the NSAI at a European Commission and EOTA level, to define further how to assist in progressing the objectives in the documents. I would like to note that my Department does not have responsibility for the implementation of the EU’s Housing Construction Strategy which was published in December 2025 by the European Commission. Policy responsibility in relation to the delivery of housing rests with my colleague in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
