Julien Grilliat is the Chairperson of the Eurovent Product Group ‘Fan Technology’ (PG-FANS) and Director of Regulatory Affairs, Global Product Management at ebm-papst. He gives us an insight into the activities of the PG-FANS.
Could you tell us about yourself and how you got involved in the HVACR industry?
I am a French-German engineer. I grew up in France and studied aircraft construction, where I developed a strong taste for fluid mechanics and acoustics. I therefore did my PhD in the framework of a European research project on aircraft engine aeroacoustics. I then moved to Germany. After a few years in academic research, I joined ebm-papst’s Black Forest subsidiary in 2014. This marked for me the beginning of the HVAC adventure. Working on compact fans has been very instructive, and I enjoyed working on vibration and bearing topics as head of the measurement lab. Moving to the French subsidiary as a Technical Director, I experienced first-hand regulatory matters and significantly widened my view on the HVAC industry. I am now responsible for regulatory affairs for the ebm-papst Group, and very honoured to serve as PG-FANS Chairperson.
As the new Chairperson of the Product Group, could you tell us what the group’s main focus points are and how you will handle them?
The most important topic is, without doubt, the new fan Regulation 2024/1834, usually called ErP 2026. This revised law brings tremendous changes to the HVAC industry and impacts a lot of others. Following the new fan definition, an unexpectedly high number of industrial agents will be considered as fan manufacturers as of July 24th 2026, as they are mounting incomplete fans into their application and therefore completing them. From conventional HVAC to data centres, IT/Telecom, and heat pumps, no industry sector will stay unaffected. There is a real need for education. With support from the Vice-Chairperson, Simon Engert, the PG-FANS is therefore working very intensively on an FAQ addressing ErP 2026 matters. We expect a first publication soon.
Furthermore, sustainability is a key topic for the PG-FANS. European regulations already tackle many aspects of it (CSRD, Taxonomy, etc.). ErP 2026 will introduce requirements on spare parts, to which fan manufacturers must prepare. In my opinion, our industry is surprisingly heterogeneous, which means we first have to identify the needs that are coming from each subdivision of the Product group.
Finally, the Product Group cannot only focus on Europe. It has to apprehend each region of the world and address its needs.
What regulatory challenges do you anticipate in the next 3-4 years, and how is the PG-FANS preparing for them?
The ErP 2026 is expected to enter into application starting on the 24th of July 2026. Its requirements will, however, be entered step by step in the application, with deadlines extending up to 2028. In addition to this, the current revision of the Motor Delegated Act is of high interest for us, as it will be one of the first product groups to be revised under the Ecodesign of Sustainable Product Regulation. Topics of most importance, such as Digital Product Passport or Repairability, will be discussed. The legal requirements developed therein are very likely to impact our fan industry, which is why we are already preparing for them. As an example, Environmental Product Declarations are not mandatory for fans and motors yet. We, however, are already reflecting on the so-called Product Category Rules for fans, in order for our Product Group to not miss the European standard harmonisation train when it passes at our doorstep.
