Brussels, 20/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on 18-20 February, the European Commission held a conference to transfer background knowledge and expertise on Eurocodes, ten new European standards published by the Comité européen de normalisation (CEN) in 2007 on the design of buildings, to national trainers. These ten standards (EN 1990-EN 1999) will provide a common approach for the design of buildings and other civil engineering works as of 2010. The aim is to boost business in this sector: by removing technical barriers to trade with construction products and services within the European Union, they will improve quality of products and services, and will create new job opportunities in the construction sector, which currently covers 28% of industrial employment in the EU. The standards each contain several sections covering specific technical points, such as fire endurance, bridge design, security, ease of maintenance, strength, durability, etc. However, determining the level of security of building works, in particular in terms of durability and cost, remains a member state competence. A system of nationally set parameters, which take account of geographical, geological and climatic differences (wind, snow, seismic conditions), leaves scope at national level for determining the appropriate level of security. National parameters will be included in national annexes to each Eurocode. For more information, go to: http: //eurocodes.jrc.ec.europa.eu (E.H.)