Spark is pleased to announce the publication of the ‘Legal Feasibility Study on the Interoperability of Social Identity Cards in the Construction Sector’, prepared as part of the SIDE-CIC project supported by the European Commission.
In a sector characterised by high mobility, complex subcontracting chains and significant occupational health and safety risks, ensuring fair mobility and compliance with labour standards is a growing priority. Social identity card schemes have emerged across EU Member States as tools to promote transparency and accountability. However, the lack of interoperability between these schemes creates challenges for workers, employers and labour authorities, particularly in cross-border contexts.
The SIDE-CIC project, launched by the European social partners of the construction industry, the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) and the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC), with the support of the European Commission, aims to foster fairer mobility and create a more transparent environment for all stakeholders. As part of this initiative, Spark conducted a comprehensive legal feasibility study to assess the potential for establishing an interoperable system between existing social ID card schemes in the construction sector.
Our study examines the legal dimensions of interoperability, building on a comparative analysis of national frameworks and EU requirements. It evaluates different options, including bilateral or multilateral agreements between card issuers, the creation of a common data space, and the development of a new shared social ID card scheme. Each option is assessed in terms of legal feasibility, implementation challenges and alignment with the project’s objectives.
Our findings confirm that interoperability is legally possible, though its success depends on political will, stakeholder cooperation, and adequate investment. While challenges remain, carefully designed interoperable solutions could deliver important benefits for workers, employers and authorities, strengthening compliance with labour and social security standards and promoting fair competition in the internal market.
The conclusions of this study informed the policy recommendations prepared by EFBWW and FIEC and will support decision-making on the next steps towards a potential interoperable social ID card system in the construction sector.
The full report is available here.