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In our last editorial of 2024, resilience was our central theme. The year since has proved that prediction right: more than ever, sudden turns of events be it in geopolitics, a new world trade environment, or a worsening construction crisis, can upend our certainties. That's equally true in the flat glass and glazing business as across EU policymaking alike. Who would have thought a year ago that themes like 'preference given to local content', slowed-down path to decarbonization and vehicle electrification, etc. would make such a predominant entrance in EU policy?
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In this environment, staying grounded while remaining agile is essential. It makes long‑term planning more difficult, hence the importance for a trade association like ours of a well‑functioning compass. Our mission is to support the sector through turbulence, focusing on a handful of key priorities while preparing the industry for the future. That approach is reflected in this newsletter: an EU focus dedicated to the Affordable Housing and Construction Strategy that are priority topics for our industry; news on our sector's immediate call for relief on electricity and indirect costs; as well as updates on our long‑term support for all actors in the glazing market when it comes to implementing the new Construction Products Regulation.
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What the future holds in Europe will remain unpredictable, and business prospects are not yet on a steadily improving path. In this context, we aim to remain an association focused on our members’ expectations and needs, offering the best return on investment to the sector. It is in that spirit that we will continue our work at EU level and engage more thoroughly with our national counterparts in the coming months. This will materialise very early in 2026 in new fields of activities, but more information will follow in due course.
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For now, enjoy the holiday season!
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Bertrand Cazes
Secretary General, Glass for Europe
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Affordable Housing Plan at the core of
Glass for Europe advocacy
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Glass for Europe welcomes the adoption of the first ever European Affordable Housing Plan
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On 16 December, the European Commission has adopted its Housing Package with the first ever European Affordable Housing Plan. The communication rightly underscores the relation between the energy efficiency, resilience and affordability of housing.
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Originally expected in the first quarter of 2026, the European Affordable Housing Plan was brought forward as part of the Commission’s decision to accelerate action in response to the growing housing crisis. The Communication was published alongside the Strategy for Housing Construction, the revision of State aid rules for housing, and a...
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Glass for Europe supports the Copenhagen Commitment at REDay
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On 3 November, the Renovate Europe campaign – which Glass for Europe contributes to – organised Renovate Europe Day in Copenhagen in presence of the European Commissioner for Energy & Housing, Dan Jørgensen.
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On the occasion of the REDay, more than 70 organisations and industry leaders...
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Glass for Europe contributes to the consultation on the New European Bauhaus
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From 19 September to 17 October, the European Commission gathered stakeholders’ feedback on the next steps of the New European Bauhaus (NEB).
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Announced in 2020, the New European Bauhaus is a transdisciplinary initiative which aims at supporting several of the European Commission’s political priorities. As underlined in the Call for Evidence, the NEB “promotes...
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Glass for Europe contributes to the consultation on electrification and calls for indirect emissions compensation under the EU ETS
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On 9 October, Glass for Europe contributed to two Calls for Evidence on the future ‘Electrification Action Plan’ and ‘Heating and Cooling Strategy’. The Secretariat seized this opportunity to explain why the flat glass sector must be included in the list of sectors eligible to indirect costs compensation under the EU ETS.
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Announced as part of the Action Plan for Affordable Energy, the future Electrification Action Plan and Heating and Cooling Strategy aim at boosting clean power generation and diversified energy supplies. The Calls for Evidence gave Glass for Europe the opportunity to highlight the electrification potential of flat glass production and emphasise the electricity-saving benefits of flat glass in buildings and...
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Glass for Europe and other construction products industries jointly release a paper on environmental declarations
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Last week, Glass for Europe released a position paper calling on authorities to maintain continuity in the future methodology to declare environmental characteristics under the Construction Products Regulation of 2024.
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The document raises concerns about discontinuing the use of weighted averages when calculating environmental data for products. For example
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Glass for Europe defends a full value chain approach for rebuilding solar manufacturing in Europe
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On 30 September, the European Solar PV Industry Alliance (ESIA) – which Glass for Europe is a member of – organised its third annual forum. The event followed a ministerial meeting where Commissioner Sejourné discussed new measures and commitments for reshoring the PV industry with Member States.
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The high-level meeting gathered European...
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New webpage on the Construction Products Regulation for building glass
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The implementation of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) of 2024 is crucial for all players in the building glass market. Today, to further inform the flat glass sector, Glass for Europe has launched a new web page dedicated to the CPR...
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Glass for Europe’s National Partners meet to discuss EPBD implementation, circularity and the new CPR
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On 28 October, Glass for Europe held its annual meeting with the National Partners Group (NPG), which represents the national glass and glazing associations involved in the manufacturing...
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