To accelerate the uses of openBIM to create reliable data continuity, responding to asset owners and public policy needs.

The role of the European Forum of openBIM (EFO) in buildingSMART International is to support the development of a standardization strategy centered on openBIM and integrated with the European policies.

Nowadays Construction industry assists in the creation of new tools and IT interfaces at national and international level to digitalize the building processes. There is the need to have a unique efficient and effective approach by standardizing how data is produced, secured, managed, and exchanged. For example, the use of openBIM can be promoted to structure and standardize the carbon impact calculation model for all types of structure. This will leave vendors free to compete, and it will be up to them to develop interoperable tools that meet the specifications.

The advantages of setting up a strategy will entail the following:

• Find a global solution for common challenges such as carbon footprint evaluation.
• Facilitate the recognition of openBIM in public procurement for the benefit of all the construction supply chain.
• Possibility to introduce the use of the openBIM format in EU directives so that it will be compulsory for EU countries and for the countries that wish to enter the European market.
• Do not re-invent at the national level what is already done in bSI and provide a shared strategy for national implementation.
• Increase the influence of the bSI pan-European chapters on national governments.
• Increase the influence within CEN and ISO committees.

This does not mean to interfere with how public procurement is run at member state level but means that any economic operator will be able to provide all the necessary information in a standardized openBIM format. This will increase the competitiveness not only within Europe but also internationally.

The majority of the chapters’ representatives involved, highlighted the importance of establishing a forum to:

• Improve the competitiveness of European building industry in the world.
• Enable digital transition as lever of resilience.
• Support public administration on the implementation of e-permits.
• Contribute to upskilling construction professionals and increasing knowledge of open BIM by Label – Certification.
• Develop digital twin technology in the different domains and communities via supply chain, blockchain, IA…
• Identify new challenges and research opportunity aligned with the main stakeholder interests (provide new ideas for R&D).
• Influence the EU on providing funding for BIM standardization/workshops or exchange of knowledge and experience at the European level.
• Advance common open European standards, services and tools, to provide a common reference framework for both joint learning and practice in relation to digital construction with open BIM, which can support the individual, companies, projects and society.
• Be able to develop financed projects under the EU.
• Promote the use of BIM for the refurbishment of existing European assets.