Policy Updates

<p>Many authorities and associations are publishing guidance documents on how to operate and maintain HVAC systems considering the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidance documents are updated at irregular intervals. An analysis of a selection of these guidance documents shows inconsistencies between them, but also a common core of recommendations: to increase ventilation rates, extend operating times, and limit recirculation.</p>

<p>After two events outside Europe (2017 USA, 2019 China), the 11th International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Domestic Appliances and Lighting (EEDAL) conference returns to Europe in 2021. In 2021, EEDAL will be organised jointly with the International Symposium on Science and Technology of Lighting and will take place from 8 to 10 November in Toulouse, France.</p>

<p>The preparation of the delegated acts that will establish the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) scheme under Article 8(10) of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) started in November 2019. The two acts are now open for feedback – one on the definition and calculation methodology and the second on its implementation. The adoption of an SRI by the Member States is optional.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>eTranslation is developed by the European Commission and is widely used and trusted by European and national public administrations. SMEs can now use eTranslation to translate any document or plain text between any of the 24 official EU languages, as well as Icelandic, Norwegian, Russian.</p>

<p>Following the meeting of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on Friday, 12 June 2020, the United Kingdom has formally notified the European Union that it will neither accept nor seek any extension to the current Transition Period ending on 31 December 2020.</p>

<p>In May 2020, the European Commission published a Roadmap towards a Renovation Wave. The Roadmap received input from 187 bodies, including Eurovent Association, Eurovent Certita Certification and one Member Association (Talteka). Up to 9 July 2020, the Commission is hosting a public consultation to define its strategy and propose an action plan. Participation to the consultation will help in shaping the future renovation markets.</p>

<p>After the Consultation Forum meeting on parameters and values (see GEN – 1121.00), the European Commission has provided a tentative planning of the meetings for 2020. This planning can still evolve. The meeting for review of the Ventilation Units Regulation is set for 23 October 2020. The meeting for review of the Fans Regulation is set for December 2020.</p>

<p>Since early 2017, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) has been developing the Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria for data centres. The final report has been published on the JRC website. Within this report, the criteria related to the operation of cooling systems and the use of refrigerants are of interest to the HVACR industry.</p>

<p>On behalf of the European Commission (DG CLIMA), Öko-Recherche is working on a series of analysis evaluating the implementation of the F-Gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 since 2015. This includes, among others, monitoring of the refrigerant prices. The Q1/2020 report has been recently shared with Eurovent.</p>

<p>The European Commission is working on an omnibus amendment to the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations published in 2019. This omnibus amendment is not a review of the Regulations that have been adopted. It is not to be considered as a vehicle for adding new elements, even if they would be ‘nice to have’. The amendment is limited to corrections and clarifications.</p>

<p>The fourth round of negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom took place between 2-5 June 2020. Unless the UK takes the initiative to extend the transition period before 1 July 2020, the negotiations would end with a ‘no deal’. Companies that have not yet prepared for this eventuality are recommended to take the necessary precautions to keep access to the British market. </p>