January 15, 2003—A committee charged with standardizing European facilities management has drafted two new standards. The working group is focusing on two standards: the first on defining terms for facilities, the second on relating facility management processes to quality, value and risk.
Over 40 participants from 14 countries formed a working group, chaired by Fred Kloet, CFM, founder of Villa FM. The working group defined the subject, scope, and task list for standardization committee (CEN/TC). The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Institute must approve the business plan for the CEN/TC.
The proposers of the standard say that they have had positive initial reactions from the professional and other organizations approached. The standards project will require commercial sponsors to progress and should also attract public funding once it has gained momentum.
Lionel Prodgers, chairman of EuroFM, said: “EuroFM is keen to explore the viability of establishing European standards on behalf of its members, but we would like to see the focus on the operational, tactical and strategic values of the management discipline rather than a simplistic measurement protocol to benchmark costs of building occupancy. The advantages for the industry if we can achieve this will be a common understanding and acceptance of the benefits of ‘best practice’ within the European market, and adoption by national standards institutes.”
For more information, contact Fred Kloet, chairman, at 00/39-33-35-043227.
