North Macedonia construction experts urge Eurocode adoption

Professional communities and institutions in North Macedonia are advocating for the urgent adoption of Eurocodes as the sole national standard for construction. Currently, the industry utilizes a mix of Eurocodes and older standards dating from the 1980s and 1990s.

Josif Josifovski, dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, stated that implementing these European standards would increase safety across all phases, including design, construction, and repairs. He noted that the transition aims to improve quality and reduce common construction issues. While the process has faced delays for approximately ten years, experts argue that adopting Eurocodes is essential to align with European processes.

Regarding economic impact, experts clarified that the adoption of these higher standards does not automatically mean an increase in housing prices. However, the new standards may necessitate the reconstruction of older buildings, particularly those constructed before the Skopje earthquake, to ensure they meet modern safety requirements.