ATLANTA, Georgia, 16 October 2019: ASHRAE on October 15 announced the incorporation of the Indoor Environmental Quality Global Alliance (IEQ-GA) as a legal entity. The announcement of IEQ-GA’s incorporation took place at a ceremony during the 40^th AIVC conference, on October 15 in Ghent, Belgium, the Society said through a Press release.

According to the release, the mission of the IEQ-GA is to promote and advocate for acceptable indoor environmental quality (thermal environment, indoor air quality, lighting and acoustics) for building occupants globally, while ensuring the knowledge from IEQ research is implemented in practice.

At the ceremony, the release said, the founding members celebrated with short speeches about the establishment of the alliance and presented its vision for achieving a healthy indoor environment in the building industry.

The Founding members of the corporation are the Italian Association of Air Conditioning; Ventilation and Refrigeration (AiCARR); the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA); the Air Filtration and Ventilation Center (AIVC); the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE); the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (REHVA) and ASHRAE.

“We are inspired by the forward-thinking approach IEQ-GA has in the building industry,” said 2019-20 ASHRAE President Darryl K Boyce. “It is critically important that we advocate for the well-being of the people who occupy our buildings. Through the collaborative efforts and resources of IEA-GA’s member organizations, we will continue to provide safe buildings for generations to come.”

According to the release, the creation of the IEQ-GA was the result of a presidential initiative of Bill Bahnfleth, 2013-14 ASHRAE Presidential Member and current IEQ-GA Vice President, based on the report of a presidential ad hoc committee, chaired by Bjarne Olesen, 2017-18 ASHRAE Presidential Member and current ASHRAE IEQ-GA Alternate Director. The committee was tasked with exploring ways in which industry groups could work together to address all aspects of indoor environmental quality and health, the release said.

According to the release, a memorandum of understanding was established between the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA), the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), AIHA, AIVC, REHVA and ASHRAE to form IEQ-GA. AiCARR and ISHRAE later became members of the alliance, the release added.

Olesen said: “An important attribute of IEQ-GA is that it is a non-industrial alliance among societies representing members that promote IEQ. The intent of IEQ-GA is to work with all partners of the value chain for indoor environmental quality, including building research, comfort and health research, building design, installation, commissioning, operation and occupant behavior. Furthermore, IEQ-GA will work with industry organizations to help their members to provide products and services that promote IEQ.”

According to the release, the founding members represent professionals from various disciplines linked to indoor environment and are committed to work together and promote education, research and knowledge exchange at a global scale; to develop standards, codes, guidelines; and to encourage advocacy among the general public in indoor environments around the world.

The IEQ-GA, the release said, is currently seeking new members from all the involved sectors and disciplines to join forces. Sectors include architects, engineers, environmental professionals, industrial/occupational hygienists and health section specialists, among others.