ABSTRACT
Introduction 1 .01 The opening up of the Single European Market has had and continues to have a profound effect on every sector of the UK construction industry. Building material producers have easier access to more than 492 million people living in the European Union (EU) (a market which is a 60% larger than the USA, and triple the Japanese). Building products and practices are being standardised, building contractors have greater opportunities to tender for public sector projects throughout the EU and architects, surveyors and other professionals are able to practise with greater ease in the EU. In addition, the growing tendency of the EU to insist on higher standards of protection for the consumer and for the environment is placing greater burdens on those working in the building industry who are affected by these matters.
