On 4 November 2026, the Austrian Construction Materials Recycling Association (BRV) hosted its annual conference at the Roomz Hotel & conference centre in Vienna’s 2nd district. More than 170 participants gained first-hand insights into the amendment to the Landfill Ordinance, the current draft of the Excavated Material Ordinance, European developments and the latest status regarding the regulation of geogenic asbestos.
European context
In his opening address, BRV President Thomas Kasper emphasised the European dimension of the association’s work: “80 per cent of legal regulations are drawn up in Brussels.”
The BRV is therefore not only active at national level, but also contributes at CEN level, for example, to establish Austrian solutions as models and to help shape European guidelines so that they can be effectively implemented in Austria. Through EQAR, the European umbrella organisation for the recycling industry, there is also a direct line of communication with the Commission, as well as coordination with associations such as the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) and the European Demolition Association (EDA).
European perspective: Pre-Deconstruction Audit and the Circular Economy Act.
Martin Car (BRV Senior Expert, CEN delegate) outlined Austria’s leading role in European standardisation. CEN TC 350 has been working for two years on the topic of the ‘Pre-Deconstruction Audit’, an audit carried out during the planning phase which is similar to the Austrian survey for hazardous and disruptive substances. Austria has played a pioneering role with ÖNORM B 3151 and the Recycling Construction Materials Ordinance, which has had a positive influence on the Technical Report 18436, which is intended to provide a uniform description of demolition and the mandatory audit across Europe, is currently under review. Car also referred to the European Commission’s Circular Economy Act, which is due to be published in November and is expected to address digital demolition permits and mandatory audits.
EDA presence
The European Demolition Association was part of the event. Attendees had the opportunity to take a look at EDA’s and EDI’s publications.
This transfer of knowledge and practical experience is intended to contribute to the successful implementation of a circular economy in Austria in the future.
Consult BRV contact details and all the EDA members.