The preservation of the cultural heritage of property through an analysis of European regulations regarding building materials used in restoration

The aim of this paper is to present the regulatory and technical framework of the European legislation on building materials, and in particular, on natural bonding substances which are widely used in the work of the restoration of that property which is part of our cultural heritage. The starting point is a general overview of the policies adopted in Europe in the area of the preservation of this heritage. This presentation will deal with the example of the technical aspects of European regulations on natural bonding materials (UNI-EN 459-1, UNI-EN 459-2 and UNI-EN 459-3). These will be critically examined from various perspectives, in particular, from that of the technical parameters which have been adopted to assess quality, and regarding the different types of materials that have been introduced. The second part of this paper will illustrate the impact of the legislation on those who carry out the work of restoration, whether they be professionals, officials who are entrusted with the protection of cultural heritage, or restorers. A short outline will be given of the specific results obtained in the most recent restoration projects. This paper will also give a picture of the changes made to the national legislation of some member states, as a result of European laws. We will also analyse at the same time the possible improvements brought about in comparison with the way these countries behaved in the past and are behaving now in the field of the preservation and restoration of buildings which are part of their cultural heritage