The EU BIM Task Group has just released an important new position paper on the role of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in public procurement. Far from being a technical guide, the document sets out a forward-looking vision for how BIM and information management can help Europe achieve better value for public money, greater transparency, and more sustainable built assets. 

We spoke with Mr. Dmitrijs Kots, Vice-Chairman of the EU BIM Task Group and Head of the BIM Division at Latvia’s State Real Estate, to understand the motivation behind the paper and the key messages for policymakers and public buyers. 

The starting point, he explains, is the realisation that across Europe, public organisations often face the same difficulties when adopting BIM—yet many continue to “reinvent the bicycle.” As he puts it, “In 2025 we no longer need to prove the utility of BIM. The opportunity now is to use best practices that already exist and help public clients establish a framework so everyone can work in a similar way.” 

This is precisely why the Task Group brought together public clients and ministries to produce a shared reference for the EU. The Position Paper highlights that BIM, according to ISO 19650, is not simply a technology but a structured approach to managing information throughout the lifecycle of a public asset. The document stresses that “BIM refers not only to tools and technologies, but to a methodological approach aimed at achieving defined objectives” such as risk reduction and improved planning. 

This shift—from technology to information management—is critical. As Mr. Kots notes, public authorities sometimes see BIM as an additional layer of complexity, when in reality it is a way to solve long-standing problems in project management. “You should start with the problem you want to solve,” he says. “BIM is just a tool. Technology must always be connected with the existing problems, needs and processes.” 

The benefits identified in the Position Paper are significant. Financially, BIM has demonstrated savings of around 10–20% across the lifecycle of a project, mainly through better risk management and fewer unexpected costs. Mr. Kots confirms this with Latvian experience: “Based on our own projects, BIM can lead to savings of about 10%, mainly through reducing risks and extra spending.” 

It also improves transparency. Public buyers gain real-time oversight of design and implementation through the Common Data Environment, making the entire process more traceable and accountable. 

Sustainability, while more challenging to communicate, may ultimately be the area where BIM brings the greatest long-term transformation. With precise data from digital models, public clients can run life-cycle assessments, calculate carbon impact, and plan energy-efficient solutions from the earliest stages. In Mr. Kots’s words: “BIM helps make projects more sustainable because you have precise data. Everything—LCA, LCC, energy efficiency—can be calculated on real information.” 

Yet despite these benefits, BIM adoption remains uneven across Europe. Some countries are recognised leaders in BIM implementation, while others are still developing their frameworks. This fragmentation carries real risks—most notably a lack of interoperability, slower progress towards the digital single market, and additional administrative burdens for companies operating across borders. “It becomes too complicated for companies when rules differ from country to country,” Mr. Kots warns. 

This is why the Position Paper calls for a harmonised EU-level strategy within the new public procurement legal framework. Importantly, both the Task Group and Mr. Kots insist that this should set common principles, not rigid technical details. “The goal is a common baseline, not the same rules for everyone.” he explains. 

Such a baseline would ensure clarity, predictability and interoperability for all actors, while allowing Member States to keep the flexibility needed to reflect national legislation, practices and market maturity. 

Alongside regulation, the Position Paper stresses the need for practical tools that public buyers can adopt immediately. Mr. Kots emphasises this point strongly: “We need more concrete examples that you can copy-paste into your contract—templates, documents, requirements translated into national languages.” These, he believes, would have an immediate impact on accelerating BIM uptake. 

Ultimately, the message of the Position Paper is one of collaboration. The EU BIM Task Group, bringing together policymakers, public clients and technical experts, aims to serve as a shared platform where Member States can learn from each other rather than start from scratch. As Mr. Kots notes, mandatory requirements can help set the direction, but real progress comes from shared experience and practical support. 

The new Position Paper is therefore more than a call for harmonisation. It is an invitation to public buyers, policymakers and companies to work together towards a digital, sustainable and efficient future for Europe’s built environment. For those who want to understand where BIM is heading and how public procurement will evolve in the coming years, this document is essential reading. 

👉 Download the Position Paper and join the conversation on the Public Buyers Community.