Europe

The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2018/1844 requires the Commission to conclude a feasibility study, clarifying the possibilities and timeline to introduce the inspection of stand-alone ventilation systems and an optional building renovation passport before 2020. 

The Commission informed the stakeholders that discussions on the preparation of the delegated act that will establish the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) scheme under Article 8(10) of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), including the definition and calculation methodology of the SRI, have started. The adoption of a Common Union SRI by the Member States is optional.

As outcome of the two-year Special Project ‘Evaporative Cooling 2030’, the Eurovent Association has published a set of documents including a new Eurovent Recommendation and a dedicated flyer, providing a clear overview of what the evaporative cooling industry saves in terms of CO2 emissions today and what it can save tomorrow. These documents are complemented by the first-ever European evaporative cooling industry monograph providing a clear indication on its size and scope.

November is the time when the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the United Nations (UN) publish their reports. The 2019 reports confirm the trend noted in 2018 that the efforts to improve energy efficiency are slowing down. The studies also mention confirmation that the need for cooling continues to increase, as does the use of electricity. The studies provide background to these evolutions.

On a monthly basis, the Eurovent Team compiles a global overview of the latest developments concerning new standardisation activities and technical regulations of relevance for the HVACR industry. Our Notifications allow members to be prepared for developments that can have an impact on them and their products.

The teams of Eurovent and PRODBIM have prepared an article for members on recent developments in Building Information Modelling (BIM) CEN TC442 standardisation activities and construction product information digitisation. PRODBIM, a subsidiary of Eurovent Services Company, is participating to CEN TC442 & BuildingSMART working groups, and is compiling a summary of the CEN TC 442 as well as ISO TC 59 SC13 works on BIM standardisation.

With the introduction of the ‘Copilot Certificate’ for building performance, Eurovent, REHVA and synavision set a new European standard for the construction industry. The signing of the agreement on 11 October paved the way for the launch of the world's first building and facility certificate. Builders use the certificate to ensure that their buildings undergo effective quality management.

The 2019 edition of the European Environment Agency (EEA) report on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) confirms the progress achieved in 2018 by the European Union. The 2019 report also looks at the phase-down under the Montreal Protocol that apply from 2019.

As announced in GEN – 1059.00, the revised Electric Motors and Variable Speed Drives Regulation has been published on the announced date of 25 October 2019, as Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 of 1 October 2019, laying down Ecodesign requirements for electric motors and variable speed drives pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Regulation (EC) No 641/2009 with regard to Ecodesign requirements for glandless standalone circulators and glandless circulators integrated in products and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 640/2009.

As you may already know, the Eurovent Association is switching to a new membership structure as of 1 January 2020. After this date, manufacturer participation in working groups and access to the Extranet will be reserved for contributing members only (i.e. Corresponding Members). Read on to find out more about this change and learn what to do in order to keep all your Eurovent benefits.