The Council (Council)

Eurovent calls for an ambitious EU green recovery package that focuses on renovating the EU ‘s building stock, modernising the energy system, and investing in digitalisation and the circular economy. The next EU budget presents a unique opportunity to reboot the European economy and set it on the track to carbon-neutrality.

The report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows a growing gap between rhetoric and action in decarbonising the economy. Although the uptake of renewables in the EU is accelerating, progress on energy efficiency – especially in buildings – is too slow. The EU stands the most to gain from the energy transition but a much higher level of funding in building renovation and the deployment of energy efficiency technologies is needed to reach the 2050 targets. The solution lies at the nexus of the European Green Deal and the COVID-19 recovery plan.

Eurovent and REHVA call on all relevant authorities in the EU and globally to recognise the manufacturing, distribution, installation, maintenance and repair of HVACR equipment as essential business activities and therefore exempt them from COVID-19 shutdown orders and travel restrictions. HVACR equipment supports critical infrastructure in the healthcare, food cold chain, data centre and building sectors notably. Prolonged shutdown of HVACR manufacturing activities might have severe consequences during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last Wednesday, 11 December, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal, an ambitious package of policy measures geared towards making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. With bold investments in green technologies, boosts to innovation, and support for climate friendly industries, the policy package offers new growth perspectives for businesses in the European HVACR sector, and the potential to bolster the position of our industry as global leaders in clean and sustainable products.

Eurovent offers the Legislation Database as one of the many features of the restricted section of its website. It collects all EU legislation of relevance for the HVACR industry in one place, including not only the regulatory texts, but also preparatory studies, impact assessments, review studies, references to harmonised standards, and European Commission guidelines and FAQ documents. 

In cooperation with Orgalim, the Eurovent Team regularly provides you with an in-depth overview on all European legislative developments of relevance for the HVACR sector. The Bulletin provides for a hands-on compendium allowing the industry to assess the status quo and expected future developments. In addition to recent sector specific issues, our Team has summarised some of the key takeaways within this article.

In cooperation with Orgalim, the Eurovent Team regularly provides you with an in-depth overview on all European legislative developments of relevance for the HVACR sector. The Bulletin provides for a hands-on compendium allowing the industry to assess the status quo and expected future developments. In addition to recent sector specific issues, our Team has summarised some of the key takeaways within this article. 

After five trilogue meetings (Commission, Council, European Parliament), an agreement was reached, and the publication of the Regulation is expected by April or May. The Regulation would allow for the use of results of joint actions between Market Surveillance Authorities and others (including industry associations) for further investigations.

The initial draft by the Commission provided for a possible active role for organisations representing businesses. The text that is now discussed in the trialogue meetings (Commission, Council and Parliament) is merely referring to raising awareness and providing advice and guidance in relation to EU harmonisation legislation in the framework of a cooperation between market surveillance authorities and organisations representing businesses. 

As announced in GEN – 973.00, these revised directives have been published in the Official Journal on 21 December 2018. The entry into force of theses texts was on 24 December 2018.