EU PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS THROUGH A NEW PROFESSIONAL CARD

Voting in May on the draft directive on recognition of professional qualifications, the European Parliament made changes to ensure that  Professional cards , to summarise a professional s training, experience and any penalties that have been incurred, will be introduced for those working cross-border.

The Directive will define the notion of a competent authority empowered by a Member State, thereby adapting the definition to existing practice in Member States. Professionals will now also need the necessary linguistic skills when they move to another Member State.

MEPs put in place a new Committee on the recognition of professional qualifications, which will assist the Commission with implementation issues, and made sure that representatives of the professions will be consulted in this context.

EU INTRANSIGENCE ON BUILDING QUALIFICATIONS

In an attempt to get Brussels to recognise other Britain Professionals and to widen Building Design Qualifications the CIOB and RICS forwarded amendments and other representations on the EU qualification directive. So far there has been no recognition beyond the title of Architect to be involved in Building Design work.

A contrary view was forwarded by Kevin Sheridan of CIOB Ireland, vice-president of the Association of European Building Surveyors and Construction Experts (AEEBC), who compared the surveyors’ and architects’ competencies, as described by RICS and the Forum of European Construction Professionals, which clearly indicates comparable capabilities and skills.

SURVEYORS PROPOSE COST MANAGERS FOR STATE-FUNDED SCHEMES

In order to contain the spiralling costs associated with publically funded infrastructural projects, the Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS) proposes that independent cost managers should become more involved. The justification comes from a direct comparison between the containment of building cost over-runs as low as 4%, compared to some 100% over-runs on infrastructure schemes.

FUTURE MARITIME POLICY FOR THE EU

Commissioner Borg is to chair a task force responsible for sea-related policies and to prepare a green paper on a future maritime policy for the European Union. This will consider: the contribution the sea makes in livelihood and well-being, and potential for economic growth.

The Commission will take an integrated approach with Public authorities and NGOs and other representative organisations with relevant expertise.

Following publication, the consultation will broadened to encompass involvement from the main stakeholders and the public in identifying preferred options. The Commission will examine all the contributions and decide what shape and form the new policy should take before preparing proposals. President Barroso stated:

"A maritime policy for the EU can help release Europe s tremendous growth potential, while protecting our marine environment. Through responsible management of our common marine resources, the oceans and the seas can remain a source of wealth and pleasure for everyone in Europe years for the years ahead." The task force will also include Mr Verheugen, responsible for enterprise and industry; Mr Barrot - transport, Mr Dimas - environment, Mrs Hübner - regional policy, Mr Potocnik - research and Mr Pieblags - energy.

CLOSER EXPERT COOPERATION NEEDED IN MAPPING AND GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION RESEARCH ACROSS EUROPE.

These proposals will benefit the whole continent, says Keith Murray, the new President of EuroSDR - the Europe-wide spatial data research organisation.

Keith, from Geographic Information Strategy with UK Ordnance Survey, heads a committee of eighteen members from Ireland in the west to Turkey in the east. The organisation is a forum for representatives of national mapping organisations, academic institutions, private companies and geographical data users to push the boundaries of research and technological developments and also share knowledge.

"Developing the right model to integrate and provide access to pan-European geographic information can help us plan, respond and manage events in a sustainable way."

In his first presidential message to EuroSDR members, Keith says there are three areas he wants to develop over the two years of the UK presidency:

Building closer links with a network of other European organisations "to help reuse proven capabilities and engender a common direction".

Progressing the sustainable development of a European spatial data infrastructure in cooperation with EuroGeographics and other stakeholders.

Pursuing a programme of research coupled with workshops and projects aligned to topical issues affecting national mapping organisations, reacting dynamically to current issues and providing information in a timely way.

The EuroSDR is now better equipped and supported by a financed secretariat at the Dublin Institute of Technology, and within the United Kingdom, Keith reports that the "Ordnance Survey is working with other parts of government and investing in several European developments through projects such as EuroRoadS and INSPIRE, and this link will strengthen the UK contribution to such developments."

Keith Murray is a surveyor by training and, after obtaining his MSc, went on to specialise in photogrammetry before moving into research and development.

More recently he has been directly involved in developing the concept of the Digital National Framework (DNF) at Ordnance Survey Great Britain. He is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Remote Sensing and Photogrammetric Society.