Brussels, Belgium, 28 March 2019: The Eurovent Association’s Product Groups, ‘Air Handling Units’ and ‘Residential Air Handling Units’ (covering non-residential and residential ventilation units, respectively) have released Position Papers concerning the ongoing review of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1253/2014 (Ecodesign requirements for ventilation units), Eurovent announced through a Press communiqué. The papers include clarifications and amendments to the regulatory text, as well as in-depth suggestions for improvement concerning air filters, leakages, humidity recovery, control systems, labelling aspects, and many other issues of high relevance.

The Position Papers derive from a year and a half of joint efforts of the Eurovent Product Groups, ‘Air Handling Units’ and ‘Residential Air Handling Units’, which represent more than 160 manufacturers of such products across Europe, including Russia and Turkey, the communiqué said. While no major changes are being expected, the documents remain subject to a final vote by the respective Product Groups at the beginning of April, the communiqué added.

Whenever necessary, the Product Groups ‘Energy Recovery Components’ and ‘Air Filters’ as well as statistical experts of Eurovent Market Intelligence were consulted to guarantee the highest possible validity, the communiqué said. The Position Papers are furthermore aligned with Eurovent’s partner association, EVIA, the communiqué added.

Morten Schmelzer, Executive Director of the Eurovent Association, said through the communiqué: “Our industry strongly believes in the European Union’s Ecodesign concept and strict requirements as a means to support innovation and competitiveness of our industry. Yet, we also acknowledge the need to further develop regulations based on market experiences made. In terms of the EU Ventilation Unit Regulation, it became particularly obvious that it insufficiently handles Southern European climates – where a focus is put on humidity recovery, and not necessarily heat recovery. Furthermore, other aspects, such as indoor air quality and control systems, deserve to receive a stronger attention.”

In February 2019, the European Commission had initiated the Review Study concerning its Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations on Ventilation Units. The review is being carried out by VHK and managed by Vito, the communiqué said, adding it will include the review of existing Regulations EU 1253/2014 (Ecodesign requirements for ventilation units) and EU 1254/2014 (energy labelling of residential ventilation units).