On 14 October, World Standards Day, we reflect on the importance of clear agreements on information exchange.
Standards make it possible to share reliable data, from design and specifications to product information and sustainability. That is why we will be attending Standards Day 2026 in Amersfoort on 10 November. But what do these developments mean for you as a manufacturer? And what is the status of the Digital Ecosystem for the Built Environment?
An architect works with a digital building model. The specification writer defines the required performance and characteristics of the products to be used. And the contractor needs to know exactly what must be supplied and installed.
How do you ensure that information remains accurate throughout this process?
This is an important topic at Standards Day on 10 November, organised by digiGO, Ketenstandaard and buildingSMART. Connecting BIM, classification systems, information requirements and specifications helps bridge the gap between design and contractual documentation.
For manufacturers, this connection is essential. You want your products to be represented accurately in a building model, but also specified and applied correctly. That requires product information that is consistent, up to date and ready to use.
Standards go beyond connecting design and specifications. Major changes are also taking place at European level.
The revised European Construction Products Regulation (CPR), the development of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and the growing demand for reliable environmental data are introducing new requirements for the availability and quality of product information. Implementation will take place in stages, but the direction is clear: information must become easier to find, verify and exchange digitally.
For manufacturers, this means that technical characteristics, declared performance, classifications and sustainability information are becoming increasingly interconnected.
And that raises a practical question. Do you manage this information from a single reliable source, or is it scattered across ERP systems, spreadsheets, product datasheets, BIM objects and specification texts?
Perhaps you already have a PIM system. Maybe you provide product information according to ETIM, offer BIM objects or maintain STABU specification texts. That is a good starting point, but are these different sources of information connected?
For example, can you easily update your publications when a product characteristic changes? Do you know which information belongs to an individual article and which relates to a complete system? And will you be able to provide the data required for a Digital Product Passport?
On 10 November, we will be attending Standards Day 2026 in Amersfoort. We look forward to discussing the connections between design, specifications, product data and new European requirements with manufacturers and other construction industry partners.
Will we see you there?
