Policy Updates

<p>The text of the revised EPBD has been adopted by the European Parliament on 17 April and by the Council on 14 May 2018. The publication in the Official Journal of the European Union will be forthcoming. The revised EPBD will enter into force 20 days after publication and the transition period for the Member States to implement the revised EPBD is 20 months.</p>

<p>The European Commission has just published a roadmap that should tackle the issue that today not many products are conceived with circularity in mind. The aim is to identify shortcomings and improve existing legislation. </p>

<p>In 2015, members of the United Nations (UN) adopted an agenda with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to improve the living conditions of people everywhere. The agenda was later complemented with the Paris and Kigali agreements on climate change. The UN together with partners from governments, civil society and businesses is aiming to achieve this agenda by 2030.</p>

<p>The review study that started in February 2017 has been finalised by Viegand Maagøe A/S and ARMINES in May 2018. These reports have been accepted by the Commission.</p>

<p>On 11 April 2018, the meeting of the Consultation Forum Sub-groups ‘Compliance’ and ‘Public’ took place. The European Commission presented an updated ‘mock-up/demo’ of the European Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL). On 17 May 2018, the Commission is hosting a webinar that is targeted at suppliers. This webinar aims to provide information about eDelivery and its specifications for use within EPREL. The timing to get EPREL operational by 1 November 2018 is becoming tight.</p>

<p>In the context of the EU ‘Circular Economy’ policy, the European Commission has launched a study to analyse and develop a potential scoring system to rate the ability to repair and upgrade products.</p>

<p>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 prepare for developments that can have an impact on them and their products.</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.</p>

<p>NEx (Nature of Excellence) is the new certification label by Eurovent Certita Certification, which enables HVACR manufacturers to validate sought-after criteria of their top-rated products which go beyond performance rates.</p>

<p>FRONT is a demonstration funded under LIFE, the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental, nature conservation and climate action projects. It is often referred to as LIFE FRONT. The project runs until 2020 and aims to remove barriers posed by standards for flammable refrigerants and increase the availability of suitable alternatives.</p>

<p>In many countries, questions are asked about the auditors authorised by the Regulation 517/2014 on the emissions of Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases, as well as about the obligations, thresholds, timing, etc. The obligations include reporting above certain thresholds (Importers of substances as well as equipment), Declaration of Conformity (since 01/01/2018) for pre-charged equipment, and quotas above a CO2eq threshold and for imports under certain conditions.</p>

<p>The Electric Magnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU (EMCD) replaces the previous EMCD 2004/108 EC and has been applicable since 20 April 2016. The European Commission has now published its updated guides. The guidelines consider the impact of the new Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED) that entered into force on 13 June 2017, for which a separate guide exists.</p>