Round table - Opqibi

General Discussion
Michel FAUDOU
The following questions are from the audience: what sort of staff do you have in the English and German
organisations How many different registration categories are there in the English and German systems
Can you provide a brief overview of these categories
Gareth KINGS
Constructionline employs approximately 50 people based in two teams. We have an office in London and
another in Edinburgh. The two teams are concerned with the registration of companies and the
administration of our buyers. We also have a team of salespeople who visit prospective clients to try to
sell the idea of Constructionline. Another team manages existing clients.
Dr. Rüdiger KRATZENBERG
It is necessary to distinguish between two levels in our system. The first level is the association, which is
responsible for maintaining the Internet database and employs three people based in Bonn. The second
level consists of six pre qualification bodies, each of which consists of a single officer in charge, who must
be an expert in civil engineering, and a team of five to 10 people. In total, there are approximately 50
people within the system.
Michel FAUDOU
In France, we are in favour of a European standard. What is your position on this issue
Gareth KINGS
I believe that the situation in the UK is changing and that there may be increasing interest in the
possibility of a European standard. I think we would be quite amenable to it. Besides, a member of
Constructionline was involved in the work of CEN and CENELEC committees. There are some European
companies that are already registered with Constructionline. Similarly, there are some UK companies that
are registered in France and elsewhere in Europe.
Dr. Rüdiger KRATZENBERG
You have asked a crucial question. Jan Van Der Putten, in his presentation, stressed that there was no
burning political desire to establish a European standard. On the other hand, Isabelle Rimbert seemed to
suggest that there may be cause for optimism. I believe that we should assess the available opportunities
for establishing a European standard within the construction industry. We are very interested in the
prospect. However, everything depends on the motivation of the stakeholders involved.
In the last two years, I have worked with CEN and CENELEC, and I am not convinced that the regulations
they are proposing are best fitted to the task. The position of my government would be to make use of
base regulation coming out of the European Commission. It would involve a sort of amendment to the
directive, since it does not deal with the technical issues in detail. This will enable us to avoid the pitfalls
that led to CEN's failure. However, we remain open to the possibility of CEN type regulation.
Michel FAUDOU
How many different registration categories are there in the English and German systems Before providing
your answer, I would like to point out that both building contractors and engineering companies are
eligible to register in the English system, whereas the German register is limited to works contractors.
Gareth KINGS
In total, Constructionline has approximately 1,000 work categories, ranging from demolition to more
specialised work. Some users believe that we have too many, while others believe we do not have
> 24 Round table: « the Future of Suppliers Qualification in Europe » - OPQIBI, thursday 5 april 2007, Paris