The publication of the 2nd Generation Eurocodes marks a significant milestone in the evolution of structural design standards across Europe.

As Ireland’s national standards body, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) plays a central role in ensuring that these revised codes are adopted in a co-ordinated, consistent, and technically robust manner.

The update represents the most substantial revision of the Eurocode suite since their original introduction, reflecting more than a decade of research, harmonisation, and technical advancement at European level.

For Ireland, the transition to the 2nd Generation suite represents an opportunity for the construction sector – designers, regulators, procurement bodies, and clients – to align with updated international best practice.

NSAI will continue to support stakeholders through consultation, public enquiry processes, and the development of Irish National Annexes, ensuring that the revised Eurocodes are implemented in a manner that maintains safety, clarity, and consistency throughout the built environment.

What are the Eurocodes?

The Eurocodes are a series of harmonised European standards which provide a common approach for the design of buildings, civil engineering works and construction products. The 1st Generation was published in May 2007 and covered 10 standards:

  1. EN 1990 Eurocode – Basis of Structural Design
  2. EN 1991 Eurocode 1 – Actions on Structures
  3. EN 1992 Eurocode 2 – Design of Concrete Structures
  4. EN 1993 Eurocode 3 – Design of Steel Structures
  5. EN 1994 Eurocode 4 – Design of Composite Steel and Concrete Structures
  6. EN 1995 Eurocode 5 – Design of Timber Structures
  7. EN 1996 Eurocode 6 – Design of Masonry Structures
  8. EN 1997 Eurocode 7 – Geotechnical Design
  9. EN 1998 Eurocode 8 – Design of Structures for Earthquake Resistance
  10. EN 1999 Eurocode 9 – Design of Aluminium Structures

Each Eurocode contains a number of default NDP values (Nationally Determined Parameters) which each member state can define in a National Annex to the Eurocode.

Why are the Eurocodes changing?

The 2nd Generation of Eurocodes reflect the latest advancements in design, engineering and materials being used in construction today. They address issues such as climate changes and sustainability design requirements and align with digital and BIM-based design workflows. They also aim to improve safety and reliability provisions and consistency between individual Eurocodes, and also to simplify use and reduce National deviations.

Each of the 1st Generation Eurocodes has been updated with some NDPs removed or changed and other new NDPs added. These changes will likely require training and upskilling, updates to software tools and a transition to updated calculation rules and safety formats. All stakeholders involved in construction projects will need to consider how any changes to the Eurocodes might affect them.

The 2nd Generation includes three new Eurocodes for glass, fibre-polymer composite structures (FRP) and tensioned membrane structures, and also some new parts for existing Eurocodes. The table below lists the new publications. 

When are the 2nd Generation of Eurocodes being published?

  1. The 2nd Generation of Eurocodes are due to be available in Ireland by March 30, 2027
  2. With the associated National Annexes being published from September 30, 2027
  3. The 1st Generation of Eurocodes will be withdrawn on March 30, 2028

While some member states have opted to publish each new Eurocode as it is drafted, in Ireland NSAI has chosen a consolidated approach to adopt and publish all 2nd Generation Eurocodes once the full suite is finalised and complete.

How can you have your say?

The best way to get involved is to join NSAI’s technical committee on the Eurocodes, NSAI TC/15. This grants early access to the information and gives a voice in the development of these standards are both national and international level.

It also provides an opportunity to raise any concerns or needs in relation to the Eurocodes, and work on standards is recognised by many professional institutions as a way of demonstrating continued professional development (CPD).

It is worth noting that where insufficient experts are available to form a subcommittee for a Eurocode part, the default values for the NDPs in that standard will be adopted in Ireland.

The other way to get involved is to review and comment on the revised Eurocodes and their associated National Annexes via NSAI’s public enquiry portal, Welcome to Your Standards Your Say | NEP, when the drafts are made available for public comment.

For more information about the Eurocodes, please visit:

NSAI Eurocodes | NSAI

2nd Generation of the Eurocodes: what is new? | Eurocodes: Building the future