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THE IMPORTANCE OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY IS MOVING UP THE EU AGENDA 

Brussels, 14 June 2012: At the AGM of the European Ventilation Industry Association held on 11 – 12 June 2012 in Brussels, EVIA members decided to promote the importance of indoor air quality for health and comfort in an extended spectrum of policy and legislation such as Energy Performance of Buildings, as well as financial support for renovation in Europe where the ventilation industry can greatly contribute.

According to EVIA's President, Stefan Wiesendanger, ”after successfully creating awareness that the benefit of ventilation is not limited to a reduction in the use of electricity, but has a much larger benefit in terms of reduced overall energy consumption of a building, the added emphasis on indoor air quality puts people's health at the center of attention, which is the reason to ventilate after all”.

"In its very short life-span, the 36 strong members of EVIA have successfully profiled themselves as the European champions in ventilation,” confirmed Stefan Wiesendanger. "Whilst the primary policy focus of EVIA will continue to be the Ecodesign Directive, the issue of indoor air quality is steadily moving up the EU agenda, and EVIA members are all in agreement that during 2013 - the much-heralded European Year of Air - this will also be one of our top priorities.”

The AGM was a great success, involving 36 representatives of EVIA's member companies and special guests from the European Commission, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), and the European Environmental Citizens Organisation for Standardization (ECOS), building on EVIA's commitment to engage with both decision-makers and opinion formers to create a greater awareness of the role of ventilation in today's society and to create more open channels of dialogue.

Tobias Biermann, a policy officer responsible for the ventilation systems under Ecodesign ENTR Lot 6 and ENER Lot 10 in the European Commission, updated members on the recent developments concerning the Ecodesign Directive. Amongst others, the decision to merge the ventilation systems of different Ecodesign Lots, in order to make the decision-making process for ventilation products more effective, is strongly supported by EVIA.

The fruitful dialogue between industry associations and environmental groups was highlighted during a lively discussion featuring Stéphane Arditi of the EEB, Stamatis Sivitos of the European Environmental Citizens Organisation for Standardization (ECOS), and EVIA members. All agreed that continuous communication between all interested the parties will lead to a more solid and efficient policy-making process in the field of Ecodesign.

The AGM also saw the election of a new Director to the Steering Committee, Juan Miró of Soler & Palau, the adaptation of the statutes to ensure that Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) is put on an equal footing with heat recovery and the creation of a new Task Force to promote ventilation and ensure that it is correctly addressed in EU policy and legislation with a focus on energy performance of buildings.

EVIA, which represents the ventilation industry in Europe, was founded in 2010, comprising 36 member companies and national associations across Europe, combining a turnover of over €7 billion and employing more than 45,000 people. Please find more information on our website www.evia.eu.

The AGM was an excellent opportunity to further strengthen EVIA’s close and cordial relationship with EU decision-makers and stakeholders active in Brussels and the Member States, and the high level of participation was a clear sign that the ventilation industry has already made its mark on the Brussels scene.

EVIA was particularly delighted to welcome keynote speaker Marie Donnelly, Director for Energy Efficiency in the DG Energy in the European Commission, as well as representatives from other associations including EPEE, EuroACE, and Orgalime.

In a lively exchange of views on new eco-design requirements and the role of ventilation in energy efficient buildings, Ms Donnelly responded to industry concerns over the lack of market surveillance.

"Proper enforcement of the eco-design Directive is critical both to avoid unfair competition from manufacturers not complying with EU requirements as well as to achieve the ambitious EU’s energy efficiency targets,” she said."However, market surveillance remains a national competence which is unevenly applied, and only a few Member States have set up the necessary measures to ensure proper enforcement of EU laws”.

EVIA members are active in three Working Groups namely those relating to residential, non-residential, and fans. These three Working Groups cooperate closely, and EVIA trusts that this structure will further consolidate the voice of the entire ventilation industry by bringing together components and systems manufacturers as they seek to build up their engagement with decision-makers and stakeholders on the Brussels scene.

THE EUROPEAN VENTILATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION WELCOMES FAN INDUSTRY AND LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Brussels, 4 April 2011

On 24 March, the European Ventilation Industry Association (EVIA) held its fifth Steering Committee meeting since it established itself in June 2011 and took a further step forward in consolidating its structure and representation through the creation of a third Working Group dedicated to Fans.

The Working Group on Fans will stand alongside the Working Groups on Residential Ventilation and Non-residential Ventilation. EVIA members look forward to this cooperation and hope it will consolidate the voice of the whole ventilation industry by bringing together components and systems manufacturers.

Stefan Wiesendanger, Chair of EVIA, welcomed not only the creation of the Working Group but the new members which have joined EVIA and will provide their expertise to defend the interests of the ventilation industry. These companies are: Ziehl-Abegg, ebm-papst, Systemair, nicotra Gebhardt, Punker, Witt & Sohn, LTG, mdexx, Ferrari Ventilatori Industriali, ELTA group, and Fläkt Woods. 

The Steering Committee appointed the following members as officers for the Working Group on Fans:

· Peter Fenkl – Representative of the Working Group on Fans in the Steering Committee

· Geoff Lockwood – Chair of the Working Group on Fans

· Carsten Witt – Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Fans

As representative of the Working Group to the Steering Committee, Peter Fenkl said: "I look forward to contribute to the work of the EVIA Steering Committee by bringing the views and expertise of the fan industry. My presence in the Steering Committee will ensure that all industry sectors (residential, non-residential, and fans) are equally represented within EVIA. The Steering Committee has a critical role in developing a strong EVIA presence, establishing close contacts with other organizations, and raise the profile of EVIA towards European decision-makers and I look forward to be part of this process.”

Following his appointment, Geoff Lockwood said: "I am honoured to be appointed Chair of the Working Group on Fans within the EVIA structure. EVIA provides valuable knowledge on the various pieces of legislation impacting our industry, in particular regarding eco-design measures for ventilation fans but also all other issues linked to energy efficiency.”

EVIA also officially launched its new website which aims to bring transparent information to all interested stakeholders about EVIA’s activities and positions. The website is accessible at http://www.evia.eu/

EVIA aims to promote highly energy efficient ventilation applications across Europe, with high consideration for health and comfort aspects. By setting an association to represent the ventilation industry in Brussels, EVIA aims to serve as platform and point of contact between its members and all the European stakeholders involved in the ventilation industry including European decision-makers, manufacturers, scientists, and other relevant organizations.

EVIA welcomes the fan industry and launches new website, 4 April 2011