Jose Blanco to unpack Europe’s demolition shake-up for global audience at WDS

Jose Blanco, Secretary General at the European Demolition Association. (PHOTO: EDA)

Rather than offering a legal deep-dive, Blanco’s presentation will take a practical look at how new requirements—such as mandatory pre-demolition audits and more structured construction and demolition waste (CDW) management—are reshaping the day-to-day operations of demolition contractors across Europe.

The session is aimed squarely at international delegates, particularly those from the American continents, offering a preview of what could lie ahead as environmental and resource-efficiency pressures mount globally.

Blanco has led the EDA since 2010 and also serves as Secretary General of the European Decontamination Institute. His perspective is rooted in two decades of hands-on experience with European policy, association leadership, and industry practice.

His talk will give WDS attendees not only an overview of what’s changing in Europe, but also insight into how contractors elsewhere might prepare for similar developments.

Leila Steed, WDS Programme Organiser, said: “There’s no one quite like Jose—he’s one of the most knowledgeable and proactive people in the industry and I can’t think of anyone better to provide this kind of wide-view insight.

“As someone that works with associations, contractors and OEMs across boarders, the perspective that Jose brings to the WDS programme will be of great value to our attendees.”