After the food safety sector, it is now the construction industry’s turn to undergo the test of European standards. The first inspections carried out by the National Inspectorate of Territorial Protection (IKMT) show that nearly one in five inspected construction sites fails to comply with basic safety requirements, raising questions about the sector’s readiness for the European market, reports the economic magazine Monitor.

So far, according to IKMT data, 338 construction sites in Tirana, Golem, Vlora and Himara have been inspected. Of these, 65 entities, or about 20%, have been fined and ordered to suspend work for failing to comply with technical safety regulations.

The inspections are being carried out in two phases. Initially, inspectors identify violations and issue recommendations for improving safety conditions.

Two weeks later, a follow-up inspection is conducted. If the recommendations have not been implemented, the entities are subject to fines ranging from 500,000 to 5 million lekë, as well as suspension of construction works, depending on the nature of the violations identified.

The data show that 219 construction sites have been inspected within the Municipality of Tirana, including 41 projects with permits approved by the National Council of Territory—covering buildings with more than eight floors—and 178 projects with permits issued by the local government.

Following the re-inspections carried out in cooperation with the Agency for Territorial Development and the local Territorial Protection Inspectorates, deficiencies in the implementation of safety measures were identified in 45 cases, or approximately 21% of the sites inspected, resulting in the imposition of fines and the suspension of works.

In the Golem area, 73 construction entities were inspected, with eight of them, or approximately 11%, subjected to administrative penalties. Meanwhile, in Vlora, 32 construction sites were inspected, and violations of safety regulations were identified in 12 cases, representing about 38% of the total.

Inspections have also begun in Himara, where 14 of the 71 planned construction entities have been inspected so far. IKMT has announced that the inspection process will gradually be extended throughout the country.

The Director of IKMT, Afrim Qendro, explained to Monitor that inspections aimed at ensuring compliance with EU technical safety standards will be intensified in the coming months. The next phase will focus on the inspection of construction materials, including the quality and technical standards governing the use of concrete, in cooperation with the Construction Institute.

Arben Shkodra, Secretary General of the Association of Albanian Manufacturers, said that before Albania's integration into the European Union's single market, the construction sector will have to undergo a lengthy and demanding transformation process. At present, it is estimated that the vast majority of construction companies remain far from complying with EU technical safety standards.

Shkodra recommended that the ongoing inspections should prioritize the categorization of construction companies, following a model similar to that used in the food safety sector. He also suggested that, as in other sectors of the economy, dialogue platforms and information sessions should be organized with construction businesses to facilitate compliance with the new standards.