The EN Eurocode parts will be published between 2002 and 2006. To help with the adoption of Eurocodes, the various parts have been grouped into packages, which generally relate to different types of structure (e.g. buildings and bridges).
Click here for publication schedules for the Eurocodes.
The withdrawal of conflicting national standards and/or conflicting national provisions will take place before, or at the end of, the agreed co-existence period, which may only begin when all parts in a package are available. The material-independent parts from EN 1990, EN 1991, EN 1997 and EN 1998 are part of every package as appropriate.
Eventually national standards will be completely withdrawn and replaced by the Eurocodes. Withdrawal of most of the British Standards, for example, is expected to take place by
March 2010.
It is the responsibility of each national standard body (e.g. the British Standards Institution in the UK) to implement the structural Eurocodes as national standards. EN 1990 Eurocode: Basis of Structural Design was the first to be implemented as a national standard.
It is the responsibility of each national standard body (e.g. the British Standards Institution in the UK) to publish the structural Eurocodes as national standards and be the national competent authority to authorise their use.
The national standard implementing Eurocode parts will comprise, without any alterations, the full text of the Eurocode and its annexes as published by the Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN). This will be preceded by a national title page and a national foreword followed by a National Annex.
National Annexes to Eurocodes
National Annexes will be included with each Eurocode part and give details of any nationally determined parameters specific to individual Member States which are referred to in the main Eurocode text.
Safety remains a national and not a European responsibility; the safety factors given in the Eurocodes are recommended values and these may be altered by the National Annex.
Click here to see the National Annex publication schedule.
Differences in geographical or climatic conditions (e.g. wind or snow maps) or in ways of life, as well as different levels of protection that may prevail at national, regional or local level, will be taken into account. The EN Eurocodes will identify choices about values, classes or alternative methods that are to be determined nationally, through the National Annex.
These values, classes or methods to be chosen or determined at national level, called nationally determined parameters (NDPs), will allow the EU member states to choose the level of safety through their national annex. This includes aspects of durability and economy applicable to works in their territory.
Eurocodes will be used for public procurement specifications and to assess products for CE' (Conformité Européen) mark.
In the UK, they will enjoy the same status as BSI codes presently enjoy. Within a few years Eurocodes will be the only codes listed in the Approved Documents supporting the Building Regulations.
