Denisse Luna
BIM mandates are on the rise globally. Governments see it as a way to increase control and ensure better outcomes in public construction before the shovel even hits the ground. As a result, more governments are making BIM a requirement. But what does that mean for you as a manufacturer? Your products must be available as BIM content, or you risk being excluded from future tenders. This article breaks down what BIM mandates are, why and where they’re being enforced, so you can prepare your business for what’s ahead.
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A BIM mandate is a government or public sector requirement that enforces the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for specific construction projects, usually publicly funded ones. These mandates are one of the biggest accelerators of BIM adoption globally. As soon as BIM becomes mandatory for public procurement, Architects, Engineers, and Contractors (AECs) must comply, meaning they’ll only specify BIM-ready products. A BIM mandate is usually the final step of a country’s BIM strategy and action plan. BIM Mandates drive all project stakeholders to collaborate digitally from the project's inception.
If you want your products to be used in public projects, they must be BIM-compatible.
Public construction is under much pressure to deliver more, with less. Governments must balance shrinking budgets, ambitious climate targets, and growing demands for transparency. The traditional process can’t keep up, so many are turning to BIM.
Governments are mandating its use to digitize and modernize public project planning, delivery, and maintenance. BIM provides a solution by maximizing every project's social, economic, and environmental value.
BIM enables smarter decision-making from day one. It helps teams detect design issues early, plan precisely, and manage buildings more effectively over their entire lifespan. The result? Fewer delays, lower costs, and infrastructure that’s built to last.
Manufacturers are key to the BIM ecosystem. BIM models include detailed data about every product component, from structural elements to lightning fixtures, HVAC systems, furniture, and more.
Mandates influence and accelerate adoption. But what will all of this mean for manufacturers? When governments mandate BIM for public projects, architects, designers, contractors, and property owners must follow suit. They must select building components that meet the project’s budget, timeline, and environmental considerations.
Manufacturers who invest in BIM see tangible business benefits:
When your products are BIM-ready, AECs can easily find and integrate them into their models, making you the go-to choice early in the design phase.
Just look at how BIM enabled the redesign of the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. The architects behind the project tackled extreme challenges using BIM, which allowed for better coordination, real-time collaboration, and bold innovation throughout the construction process. 👉 Discover how BIM shaped the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
If your products are BIM-ready, they’re more likely to be included in tenders, especially those tied to public funding.
Offering BIM content shows you align with industry requirements and regulatory expectations.
Denmark
Denmark is one of the best BIM practitioners in the world. The nation was the first country to mandate BIM for public procurements of new constructions and restorations back in 2007, and has been enforcing it on regional and local projects since 2011 for all local and regional projects costing more than €2.7 million and government buildings from a volume of €677,000 and above.
Norway
Norway has been a pioneer in adopting BIM within its construction sector. The Norwegian Directorate of Public Construction and Property, Statsbygg, initiated a BIM pilot project in 2005, published a BIM manual (SIMBA) in 2008, and mandated the use of BIM for public projects starting in 2010.
United Kingdom
The UK boasts one of the most radical BIM mandates globally. As of April 2016, all projects funded by the central government must be delivered with fully collaborative 3D BIM. Construction firms not meeting BIM Level 2 standards will face serious consequences or be disadvantaged. By 2025, Level 3 BIM is expected to become mandatory for construction projects across the public sector.
Italy
BIM adoption in Italy is regulated by Decree No. 560/2017, which mandates a phased implementation of BIM in public projects. Since January 1, 2019, BIM has been required for projects exceeding €100 million, with the threshold gradually decreasing yearly. By January 1, 2025, all public construction projects worth €1 million or more will be required to use BIM. This step-by-step rollout gives the industry time to adapt technologically and organizationally, ensuring a smoother transition across stakeholders.
Poland
Poland does not currently enforce a nationwide BIM mandate. However, in July 2020, the Ministry of Development published the "Roadmap for Implementing BIM in Public Procurement." This document outlines a phased plan for integrating BIM into public projects between 2021 and 2030. Key milestones include BIM mandates for all public procurements exceeding €10 million in 2025 and the mandatory application of BIM in all public procurement projects by 2030.
Spain
Spain is progressing with the BIM Commission established in 2015, and the release of a national BIM strategy in 2023 has given the country a fresh push. Though not yet mandatory for all public works, BIM is increasingly required in large-scale infrastructure and transportation projects. Adoption in private construction and smaller firms is still growing, especially as regional governments encourage its use.
Brazil
Brazil is ramping up BIM adoption through its BIM BR Strategy. Mandates for federal public works will start in 2021 and become more comprehensive by 2028. The government has introduced a multi-phase implementation plan, aiming to drive adoption in both the public and private sectors.
Japan
The BIM market in Japan grew to US$0.46bn in 2024 and is predicted to reach $0.84bn by 2029. Japan has seen an upsurge in BIM adoption and a digital-first approach to project design and data management.
Government bodies such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) have taken a leading role in this initiative. The MLIT launched the i-Construction program in 2016 to promote 3D technology and aims for a 20% increase in productivity by this year in 2025. Key developments under this program include BIM promotion conferences, a collaborative roadmap for standardization, and government-led initiatives to foster BIM adoption.
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As BIM becomes mandatory across more countries, your products must be available where they matter most: inside the digital tools and workflows used by architects, engineers, and contractors.
To become truly compliant, manufacturers should focus on some key actions:
Once you embrace a digital working mode, you need to digitize your products. Ensuring that your products can be specified as components of a BIM project is critical for keeping your business in the purchase cycle. Why? Because specifiers will limit their product selection to manufacturers who can support them in BIM projects.
Develop BIM content, including Revit-compatible files, that meets industry expectations to enhance visibility and ensure your products can be easily integrated into project workflows.
Get your content where specifiers search. Platforms like bimobject.com help you reach thousands of AEC professionals who are actively working on BIM projects.
Include environmental product declarations (EPDs) and life cycle assessments (LCAs) with your BIM content to support regulatory compliance and green building standards.
This article is just a preview of what’s happening around the world.
This blog provides a good base, but you need to go deeper. Want to master BIM mandates? 👉 Download our full eBook. Ready to take action now? Book a demo with us today!
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