Joint statement on recognising indoor air pollution as a health risk in the EU legislation

As people across Europe return to work at offices, eu.bac together with other leading European Industry associations are calling on the European Institutions to recognize indoor air pollution as a health risk and introduce minimum Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) requirements in the upcoming revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

We strongly recommend the proper use of Technical Building Systems (TBS) in combination with Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) to reduce indoor transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as well as other pollutants and viruses. Evidence underlines that HVAC systems, which can be optimized by BACS, are helpful in this regard. They can help reduce the airborne concentration of a virus and decrease risks of transmission through renewal/dilution of the air in a building. TBS providing these functions are essential in facilitating the operation, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and health and safety of many residential and non-residential buildings.