Evening with the Czech State Testing Authority
Jitka Beránková, Director of the Timber Research Institute, and her deputy Tomáš Pomykal were invited to an Evening with the State Testing Authority, which presented the importance of state testing and its role in the European system of product safety and quality assurance and consumer protection.
The first annual Evening with State Testing took place on November 27 at Slovanský dům in Prague, presenting in a very pleasant atmosphere the importance of state testing as a key pillar in the European system of product safety and quality assurance and consumer protection.
The event brought together representatives of state administration, professional institutions, and industrial partners and showed that even such important and technical topics can be presented in a modern, attractive, and understandable way. The evening was elegantly and expertly hosted by Daniela Brzobohatá.
The opening ceremony was enriched by greetings from prominent figures — Vladimír Mana, State Secretary of the Ministry of Industry of the Czech Republic, Jana Wiesner, Honorary President of the Confederation of Employers and Entrepreneurs Associations of the Czech Republic, and Jiří Kratochvíl, Chairman of the Office for Technical Standardization, Metrology and State Testing Jiří Kratochvíl, who also greeted those present on behalf of the Director General of the Czech Standardization Agency Zdeněk Veselý, Director of the Czech Accreditation Institute Jiří Růžička, and the President of the Association of Accredited and Authorized Organizations Pavel Malčík.
Their speeches clearly demonstrated their shared desire and commitment to continue strengthening and supporting a system that ensures that only safe, high-quality, and reliable products that meet legal and technical requirements enter the European Union’s internal market.
The opening ceremony was followed by a musical performance by Ellaboration – Dasha & Epoque Quartet, which created an exclusive atmosphere for the entire evening. The program continued with an open dialogue between experts from six testing institutes, who took guests behind the scenes of product testing, from protective equipment to electrical devices and large-scale fire tests. Their contributions offered an engaging insight into how the certainties that consumers rely on every day are created.
The evening was also a valuable opportunity to share experiences and establish new partnerships. The informal networking was complemented by a performance by magician Richard Nedvěd, which underscored the social nature of the event.
Feedback from guests and partners confirmed that the first year was extremely successful. The modern concept, attractive program, and unique combination of professional content and cultural experience created a strong foundation for the further development of this platform.
The organizers have therefore announced that the Evening with the State Testing Laboratory will continue in 2026 and will become a regular meeting place for all those involved in the safety and quality of products on the European Union’s internal market and the safety of their users and consumers.
The OBEC 2030 competition announced the best projects. The Timber Institute was there.
At the national conference of SMS (Association of Local Authorities) in Mladá Boleslav on November 28, the results of the OBEC 2030 competition were announced at the national SMS conference (Association of Local Authorities) in Mladá Boleslav on November 28.
A total of 76 projects from 65 municipalities competed this year for the title of the most attractive solution in a competition focused on self-sufficient energy, smart village elements, environmental responsibility, and modern municipal infrastructure. Fifteen municipalities advanced to the finals, and a record 8,673 public votes decided the winners.
Modern wooden building takes first place
The highest award went to the municipality of Křenov (Pardubice Region) for its innovative Archimedes outdoor classroom. This modern wooden building for 36 students combines year-round teaching, community activities, and environmental elements. It is a prime example of how municipalities can use wooden structures for multipurpose, sustainable, and cost-effective buildings.
Energy experiment under a wooden building
The municipality of Žernov came in second place. As a completely unique energy experiment, a community center is being built here, with a unique heat storage facility recharged from solar panels located in the foundations under the wooden building. This is the first solution using this technology in a municipal project in Czechia.
An unconventional example of waste management
Third place went to Prosetín, which also won the Expert Jury Award. The municipality built a solar sludge dryer using waste heat from a biomass boiler to heat the floor system. The local flooded quarry then serves as a source of mine water for irrigating the playground and flushing the municipal building.
Special award from the Timber Institute
The Wood Industry Institute was a partner in the competition. Anna Součková, head of the analysis and assessment center, presented a special award for the inspection of the wooden roof truss of a building managed by the municipality.
The award was won by the municipality of Rokytnice in the Olomouc Region and was accepted by Mayor Kamil Malenda. The mayor commented on the award: “The municipality will use the award for the planned reconstruction of the school building, where the services of the Wood Industry Institute can be applied.”
Rokytnice was recognized for its unique natural measure:
Six periodic pools have been created in the municipality, cleverly utilizing historical drainage pipes from the 1950s. They capture surface water from the village green and create a dynamic habitat for amphibians, birds, and specific aquatic plants. The project increases the landscape’s resistance to drought and torrential rainfall, promotes ecological stability, and at the same time brings aesthetic and recreational value.
Conference topics: aging population, digitization, waste management, and new needs of municipalities
The expert conference focused on social issues and demographic changes. Marián Jurečka, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in resignation, also gave a lecture. He pointed out that the Czech population is gradually aging and families will increasingly provide care for the elderly.
Municipalities will therefore need to expand retirement homes, nursing homes, and affordable housing.
Wooden buildings are a fast, affordable, and sustainable solution that can help local governments respond to new social needs.
Anna Součková (Wood Research Institute), Mayor of Rokytnice Kamil Malenda
