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PRESS RELEASE: EVIA holds 2020 Annual General Meeting

08/05/2020

Brussels, 8 May 2018: Representatives from the ventilation industry across Europe convened for the 2020 AGM via videoconference on 5-6 May. Members took note of the opportunities for Indoor Air Quality in the context of the European Green Deal and of the continued value of EVIA’s cooperation with the EU on the energy efficiency of ventilation systems. In the coming year EVIA will continue to leverage its members expertise and its relationships in Brussels, whilst exploring new policy areas to utilise in support of efficient and healthy ventilation.

The 2020 AGM saw the re-appointment of Joan Miro Ramos (Soler & Palau) as Chairman, and the re-election of Peter Fenkl (Ziehl-Abegg) as Treasurer. Holger Thamm (Stiebel Eltron) was elected to the Steering Committee for the first time.

Officially opening the proceedings, EVIA Chairman Mr. Joan Miro Ramos noted that the COVID-19 outbreak has led to a time of great operational challenge and disruption for EVIA members. However, the Chairman stressed the opportunities for the industry to grasp as our continent shapes its economic recovery from the outbreak. The European Commission’s European Green Deal will inform a Green Recovery at the forefront of which is to be a Renovation Wave Initiative, aimed at addressing the historically daunting task of improving the energy efficiency of the existing building stock. A renovation driven recovery is an opportunity for our industry to promote the installation of EVIA members’ ecodesign compliant products and replacement of less efficient legacy ventilation systems.

“In doing so we should never forget that we will be improving the quality of life of millions of our fellow citizens via improvements in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). More than ever we should be proud in our commitment to our value statement of healthy and energy efficient buildings, certain that it is more relevant than ever, and confident in the strength of our relationships in Brussels to deliver”. Joan Miro Ramos, EVIA Chairman

In conjunction with the 2020 AGM, EVIA organised a webinar on market surveillance. Expert speakers from national Market Surveillance Authorities (MSAs) and the European Commission discussed how industry associations like EVIA could cooperate with MSAs and customs authorities in order to improve enforcement and compliance across our industry’s product range. The discussion touched on some of EVIA’s ongoing work in this field, such as the development of EVIA’s Market Surveillance Guidance Document for Fans.

EVIA continues to actively engage with connectivity and digitalisation issues within its dedicated Connectivity Working Group, To support its work on developing smart ventilation, EVIA has recently joined the Alliance of Internet of Things Innovation (AIOTI), where it aims to represent the views of the ventilation industry, actively and directly contribute to the development of IoT and advocate to deliver the next generation of energy savings through smart product use.

EVIA remains one of the privileged interlocutors of the Commission in the review of the energy related product (ErP) regulations for ventilation units, regularly contributing with its depth of technical expertise on both residential and non-residential applications. EVIA is committed to see this work through and is grateful for the support of our members and commends cooperation from the Commission. In the world of fans, EVIA is already looking towards the mid-2020s through the development of a systems efficiency metric, taking a forward-looking approach to regulation in the sector.

In the coming months, EVIA will focus on the Renovation Wave in the context of the European Green Deal. EVIA will work to ensure further recognition of ventilation’s role in boosting the energy performance of buildings in the drive to decarbonise the building stock by 2050. EVIA will reinforce its productive partnerships with other Brussels-based associations to pursue indoor environmental quality and thus IAQ improvements.

The Secretariat looks forward to welcoming current and new members to EVIA’s 10th Anniversary AGM, due to be held in Brussels on 4-5 May 2021.

If you have any questions, please contact secretariat@evia.eu, Tel: +32 (0) 2 732 70 40


About EVIA

The European Ventilation Industry Association (EVIA) was established in Brussels in July 2010. EVIA’s mission is to represent the views and interests of the ventilation industry and serve as platform between all the relevant European stakeholders involved in the ventilation sector, such as decision-makers at the EU level as well as our partners in EU Member States.

Our membership is composed of 42 member companies and 6 national associations across Europe realising an annual turnover of over 7 Billion Euros and employing more than 45,000 people in Europe.

EVIA aims to promote highly energy efficient ventilation applications across Europe, with high consideration for health and comfort aspects. Fresh and good indoor air quality is a critical element of comfort and contributes to keeping people healthy in buildings.