Air conditioning & Refrigeration European Association

AREA

March 2005

Newsletter

Items covered:

- Editorial p.3 - Head news : MINIREF project p.3 - Environment - F-gases p.5 AREA comments before the Second Reading of the proposed Regulation p.6 - Education & vocational training News on The Refrigeration Craftsman (Leonardo) project p.11 ICF report on the compliance with ODS EC 2037/2000 p.12 EC press release on EUROPASS p.13 - Technical Committee Preliminary comments on inspection requirements p.16 - NH³/CO² systems Dutch & Belgian subsidies p.19 - European Commission DG Environment management plan p.21 - European Legislation WEEE – follow up p.22 EPB info p.25 - Member States Denmark p.25 France p.26 Spain, UK p.27 - Sister associations p.29 REHVA, EPEE, EHPA - Events p.31

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President : J. JACQUIN - SNEFCCA F - e-mail : contact@snefcca.com Immediate Past President : N. MITCHELL - RACG/HVCA UK - e-mail : ncm@normanmitchell.co.uk Vice-President : Ch. SCHOLZ - VDKF D – e-mail : info@vdkf.org Treasurer : J. HOOGKAMER - NVKL NL - e-mail : joh@fme.nl General Secretary : R. BERCKMANS - AREA - e-mail : robert.berckmans@area-eur.be Beau Site Première avenue, 88 • B -1330 Rixensart • Belgium • Tel : +32 2 6538835 • Fax + 32 2 6523872

VAT : BE 440.154.920 Bank : ABN AMRO – Account N° 720-5404789-58

Internet : http://www.area-eur.be

*** The letter in brief AREA takes part in the proposal of a new European project : MINIREF “New refrigeration concept for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing refrigerant charge”. The project is the result of an initiative of the Coordinator TNO (NL) Environment, Energy & Process Innovation. The Kyoto Protocol is now operational. The Second Reading of the proposal of the F-gas Regulation should start in May 2005; it may be a tough exercise as the new MEP want to look into all previous amendments. The 2004 AREA position asks to add “installation and service” to “inspections and recovery” as the activities to be performed by certified RAC personnel/companies. The position also referred to extending the scope to mobile equipment. Several Members caution against being too demanding because the results already achieved are significant. The Secretary General insisted on having the AREA Committees recommending minimum requirements for the inspections and the qualifications of the technicians. The Coordinator of the Leonardo project The European Refrigeration Craftsman has sent the portfolio of essential qualifications & skills to the Partners and requested the National dissemination to the relevant Authorities, VET Bodies, other Educational parties and the RAC Industry Representatives. IT IS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE THAT THE AREA MEMBERS COOPERATE AND THAT THE NATIONAL CONTACTING ACTIONS AND THEIR RESULTS BE INFORMED TO THE COORDINATOR AND THE SECRETARY. The 2005 AREA Skills Competition will take place at IKK in Hanover, on November 2-3-4. Details will be given in Nice on April 29-30. On the WEEE Directive : after the information received from the UK Department of Trade & Industry, the German Ministry of Environment has stated that fixed installations of refrigeration & air conditioning systems do not fall under the National transposition of the WEEE legislation. The Secretary has met REHVA, the Federation of European Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Associations; some useful collaboration appears possible. EHPA, the European Heat Pump Association, is hosting a quality label DACH for Germany, Austria and Germany and is working on training and certification for HP installers and planners.

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Editorial

Dear Members, “Any amendment to the newsletter” will be a (minor) item on the agenda of the Strategy Committee meeting that will take place in Nice on April 29. Within my available time frame, the letter is presently conceived to inform as widely and as precisely as possible. My letter is a document to be glanced through, the reader stopping on subjects of particular interest and reading thoroughly only these pages. The Members are invited to ask for a “word version” of the letter, in order to be able to copy/paste parts of it (the letter is sent in pdf, and is as such on our website, because of the size of the files). English is the working language of AREA. One Member asks me to translate the “letter in brief” into his language; I would do it but what about the other 13 languages of our other Members? I sometimes heard that the letter was too long. This is a valid statement but to shorten it means cutting detailed information. We shall discuss it in Nice … Yours sincerely,

Robert Berckmans Secretary General

*** Head news Mr. Joop Hoogkamer, Directeur Techniek & Milieu of our Dutch Member NVKL, has included AREA, next to NVKL, in the proposal of a new 3-year European Project : MINIREF “New refrigeration concept for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing refrigerant charge”. The overall project objectives are : development and demonstration of the MINIREF concept, an innovative technology for

different sectors in refrigeration (commercial cooling, industrial cooling, air conditioning, heat pumps, …) resulting in a drastic reduction of greenhouse gases (up to 95%), covering the bulk of the refrigeration installations in Europe; dissemination of the concept mainly through the National RAC associations; training of European SME’s to implement the concept, training of installers and

manufacturers. The project will help the European refrigeration sector – end users, manufacturers and installers, mainly SME’s – confronted with the consequences of various international obligations such as :

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the obligations of the EU to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases (Kyoto); the safety for HFC alternatives, natural refrigerants (Seveso 2, PED, …).

MINIREF addresses the faced problems by minimization of refrigerant charge on an integral system level, this in contradiction to currently performed research focusing on minimization on component level. The project Coordinator is TNO (NL) Environment, Energy & Process Innovation. Mr. Hoogkamer of NVKL will be the IPR Intellectual Property Rights Manager. The phases of the project will be : study of the demands for the MINIREF concept (to be market attractive), development of the total system concept, study of the limitations of the system, design of

a flexible test installation, heat exchangers development, compressor development, piping and expansion systems, controls, software and hardware, full scale prototype, feedback from the users group, development of the training package, dissemination and exploitation.

AREA is expected to play a major role in the training and dissemination sections. As soon as the secretariat receives more information or attends a first project meeting, details will be forwarded to the Members.

***

Environment

The Kyoto Protocol entered into force on February 16. The USA representing 25% of the emissions are not part of it. Their position was set well before the Bush administration : the main reasons are : they claim that the research on the causes of the climate change is not sufficient and they regret that developing countries are not committed, especially China, the second larger emitter.

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F-Gas issue From EURACTIV.COM on January 26 : New climate change report raises controversy

In Short: A new scientific report claims that political leaders have less than 10 years to take drastic measures to prevent global disasters as a result of climate change. The report is likely to raise the anger of climate change sceptics in the US and Europe. Brief News: The report "Meeting the climate change" was produced by the International Climate Change Taskforce. This taskforce was set up by three leading think tanks: the Institute for Public Policy Research in the United Kingdom (UK), the Center for American Progress in the United States (US) and The Australia Institute. It consists of leaders from public service, science, business, and civil society in both developed and developing countries. The recommendations of the taskforce are targeted towards the G8 and the UK Presidency of the European Union in the second half of the year. The main conclusion of the report is that world leaders will have to move faster and take more serious measures if they want to prevent major disasters as a result of the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The British government has welcomed the report, but the Bush administration is said to be extremely angry over the role of the report's scientific adviser, Dr Rajendra Pachauri, the chairman of the official Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In 2001, Mr Pachauri replaced Dr Robert Watson at the head of the IPCC under pressure from the US, who estimated Mr Watson too 'aggressive' on the issue. The report is likely to fire the debate between the 'believers', who point to the ever-growing scientific consensus on the human origins of climate change and the vociferous climate sceptics, who believe that overly drastic measures take finances away from more urgent world crises such as AIDS or who worry about the negative consequences of strong climate change policies on competitiveness and economic growth. The EU has been in the forefront of global climate change policies and is preparing further measures on fighting climate change after the first Kyoto 'commitment period' (2008-2012). European industry circles have started to question the EU's world leadership role in the field of climate change in view of the competitiveness pressures of the Lisbon agenda.

*** Information received from Mr. Hans-Jurgen Korte following a Solvay plant visit of MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz. Environment Committee Chairman on 21.1.2005 ( to one of Solvay plants in his constituency in Rheinberg, Germany) : “Mr. Florenz would been in favour of continuing the procedure as planned with the Second Reading as soon as having officially received the Common Position of the Council. A new first reading would be time consuming due to new heavy lobbying, would be costly for some small

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lobbyist groups (firefighting) and would probably not have that different outcome as compared to the Plenary vote on 31.3.2004. According to Mr. Florenz the new Rapporteur A. Doyle would be in favour of starting all over again; the socialists have not yet pushed for a new start. No decision has been taken yet. It was explained again that a quick decision is very important as the market needs planning security as soon as possible and that industry is ready to support the implementation of the F-Gas regulation to make it work. During the next meeting of the party coordinators on 2.2. this topic will be discussed. However in case some "real heavyweights" would insist on a new First Reading, Mr. Florenz would not oppose as then "democratic rules would have to dominate". Furthermore he was reminded again of the fact that current EU waste procedures represent barriers to EU wide recycling efforts due to complicated cross border shipment procedures. Future efficient HFC recycling could really be in danger. Mr. Florenz completely agreed and offered his full support on this issue.”

*** Message of the Secretary : Negotiation of the coming F-gas Regulation You have received the text of the last working document on the future F-gas Regulation earlier but it can be printed from the home page of our website. The Second Reading at the European Parliament should take place around May 2005. This gives us some time but I like to start approaching the key players sooner (new ones : Doyle Christian Democrat Ireland, Andrejevs Liberal Latvia, Hassi Green Finland, Blokland Independent NL, and also Florenz Christian Democrat Germany, Corbey Socialist NL, both already informed about AREA). Once we shall have a Regulation, the 2037/2000 Committee will have to establish minimum requirements for the inspections as well as essential requirements and mutual recognition for training programmes and certification of RAC personnel and companies. The AREA Technical & Environment Committee and the AREA Competence & Qualification Committee will discuss these requirements in Nice and decide how to forward recommendations to the 2037/2000 official Committee in due time. The work to perform at the European Parliament and later this year at the Council and National Ministries’ level, is different : we have a last chance to try to obtain amendments to the proposed legislation. As member of EPEE, we follow the work of this umbrella organization for matters of common interest to the contracting, manufacturing and gas producing sub-sectors of our industry. But there are specific contractor’s subjects that we have to defend or obtain by ourselves. I reproduce here below the consensual position of AREA as expressed in the 2004 General Meetings. This position is the result of the work of TEC in 2003.

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As I shall approach key MEP before our meetings in Nice, please inform the secretariat about any additional items that you would like to be addressed and about any disapproval on points of the 2004 position. I know that the Regulation is environmental and that it is logical to focus on containment. However, AREA has a unique chance to ask for more and, in my opinion, should do it. Indeed, minimum qualification and certification for personnel only involved in inspection and recovery is not enough : we should have the installers and service engineers included. The minimum requirements should be high enough to eliminate the cow boys and to fix the European reference at the correct level. We should propose inspection requirements appropriate for the installers. Of course, most of the contractors being SME, it is very important not to imply too costly, burdensome or time consuming systems. AREA Members were asked to comment on the former (2004) AREA position :

Inter-institutional File: 2003/0189 (COD)

A. Proposal for a

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases

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Article 1 Scope

… This Regulation addresses the containment, use, recovery and destruction of the fluorinated greenhouse gases listed in Annex I; the labelling and disposal of products and equipment containing those gases; the reporting of information on those gases; the uses referred to in Article 7 and the placing on the market of the products and equipment referred to in Article 8; and the training and certification of personnel and companies involved in activities provided for by this Regulation. The addition of the words “and companies” after “personnel” is necessary to be consistent with the wording of the Article 5.

***

Article 3

Containment 1. Operators of the following stationary applications: refrigeration, air conditioning and

heat pump equipment and fire protection systems, which contain gases listed in Annex I, shall,

using all measures which are technically feasible and do not entail disproportionate cost:

- prevent leakage of these fluorinated greenhouse gases; and - as soon as possible repair any detected leakage.

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AREA agrees with the Member States which consider that this regulation should not be limited to stationary but should also include mobile refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump installation : mobile equipment is more subject to leakages, accounts for a major part of RAC emissions and needs professional installation, commissioning and servicing. Emission figures are well known and inspections can be adapted and organized on the occasion of other compulsory and regular mechanical equipment checking, so that a cost-benefit analysis is not necessary. 7. By the date of entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall establish, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10, the standard inspection requirements for each of the applications referred to in Article 3(1). AREA is expected to come with recommendations. The AREA Members have received the English version of the STEK document “Approved processes on activities involving CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs for refrigerating installations”. The motivation of the secretariat was only to supply a document of reference and only a few pages concern the instections. The Technical & Environment Committee will study how to propose recommendations in Nice on April 29.

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Article 5

Training and certification

1. By the date of entry into force of this Regulation, on the basis of information received from Member States and in consultation with the relevant sectors, the Commission shall establish, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10, minimum requirements and mutual recognition for training programmes and certification for the relevant personnel and for the companies and their personnel involved in the activities provided for in Articles 3 and 4.

AREA strongly insists on changing the wording of the end of the paragraph as follows : “… minimum requirements and mutual recognition for training programmes and certification for the relevant personnel and for the companies and their personnel involved in installing, commissioning, servicing the equipment concerned by this Regulation and the activities provided for in Articles 3 and 4.”

This proposed amendment had been included in the draft working document of the regulation dated May 4, 2004, as the result of careful work sessions between the Industry, the Commission and the Environment Committee of the European Parliament. Thereafter the added words have been dropped without any explanation.

The European Economic and Social Committee has correctly said it : “Article 5 provided for training and certification for personnel involved in containment and recovery, but not in installation and maintenance. This will be essential if the changes are to be effective.” The objective of the Regulation is to achieve an efficient containment. The need for minimum qualifications and skills starts with proper planning and execution of the installation, it follows with professional preventive maintenance and servicing and it should not be limited to inspection and recovery activities.

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The Competence and Qualification Committee will study the recommendations to propose on the minimum requirements when meeting in Nice on April 29.

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Article 6A

Labelling

3. The Commission shall establish, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10, the form of the label to be used.

(a SNEFCCA proposal) The label should include a text similar to the following : “Only certified personnel is authorized to install and service the present equipment and handle the fluorinated gas contained”.

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B. Proposal for a

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

relating to emissions from air conditioning systems in motor vehicles and amending Council Directive 70/156/EEC

Now that the Member States have decided to have a separate Directive relating to emissions from air conditioning systems in motor vehicles, it is essential to also include the substance of Article 5 of the Regulation, i.e. minimum qualifications and certification for the personnel handling the refrigerating fluid, into the MAC proposed Directive; of course, the level of competence (to be specified by the Member States in their programmes) needs to be adapted. Mobile air conditioning systems should not be installed or serviced by garage mechanics who do not have a minimum knowledge of refrigeration technology and handling of gases. The experience in the Netherlands (tailor-made courses in air conditioning for garage mechanics) shows that such a measure works and is welcome by the car industry. DG Environment commented that MAC Systems leaked an average of 50 grams per annum, e.g. 6-8% leakage, which appear as a low figure : this is equivalent if extrapolated to 20-25 million tons of CO2 equivalent by 2010. A recent study of the Ecole des Mines de Paris shows that the automotive air conditioning is responsible for 57% of the total HFC refrigeration emissions. Certification of personnel will be even more important when high pressure refrigerants will be used (safety issue). MAC inspections could take place at the same time and in the same locations as the usual automotive technical inspections in application in all Member States.

Feed back from Mr. Cedric Sloan, Director General FETA/BRA : After the recent decision to hold a Second Reading of the existing draft ( rather than opening up a completely new draft in the new Parliament ),

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there may still be an opportunity for extremist MEPs to influence the legislation and bring in un-necessary restrictions on HFCs in the form of bans. In other words, AREA should be careful how it presents its case for more control over the installers / servicing personnel and companies. If we say too strongly that the proposed measures are inadequate, then this will give ammunition to those MEPs who want to place control over the HFCs themselves. There is a belief amongst some MEPs that controlling emissions will not work, therefore the HFCs must be taken out of use. AREA has to be very careful not to support this view as we try to improve the situation for contractors. Following up message from Mr. Graeme Fox, Chairman Technical & Environment Committee : I agree that we do need to be careful not to give the green lobby any excuse for extending the scope of the regulations - they have already made noises about re-opening amendments that have already been approved at 1st Reading and it is likely that some of these items will be discussed again at 2nd Reading. EPEE are lobbying again on some points already agreed to try to ensure that nothing gained in 1st Reading is lost this time around. I'm not convinced that we at AREA should be pushing for more than we are already getting at the moment as this could backfire on us and we could end up with restrictive legislation. I think that the final regulation will have some effect on end users (mainly financial) that will make them sit up and take notice (certainly this is likely to be the case in the UK). After the major end users have had costs apportioned to them a few times because they have used undesirable sub contractors and had too many emissions, I believe this will see a change in attitude from them and it will get harder for major contractors to keep using the less environmentally aware sub contractors. It would be better for us as an industry to have the regulations themselves sort out a "natural order" of policing the industry over a period of a couple of years rather than force the issue now with the possibility of giving the green lobby ammunition to increase the scope of the regulations. Obviously this issue will be discussed again in Nice but, as Robert Berckmans has already said in his previous email, he will be making contact with key MEPs before the Nice meeting so if anybody else has a position on this subject it would be a good idea to email each party in AREA so that we can try to obtain some common position on any matters of difference of opinion prior to Nice. A similar opinion has been voiced by Mr. Jiri Broz of our Czech Member S CHKT. Consequently, the Secretary General will be very careful when approaching the MEP of the Environment Committee.

***

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Confirmation from Hill & Knowlton – EPEE received on February 4 :

Further to the coordinators meeting, the decision was announced at the end of the Environment Committee meeting that the Environment Committee will go to a Second Reading of the F-gases proposal rather than reopen a First Reading. This will be a more 'open' second reading as is the practice in a new Parliament - the Committee Chair Karl Heinz Florenz has promise to ensure this 'open' reading. This means amendments rejected at first reading and in the Common Position may be reintroduced again In response to the announcement, the Rapporteur Avril Doyle made it clear that the legal base would be an area on which she will focus given concerns on the workability of the dual legal base, as in the Common Position. She has asked for legal advice from the Parliament's legal service on workability of dual legal base final decision not expected for some week. Education & vocational training

Leonardo da Vinci

The Refrigeration Craftsman

AREA/Leonardo Project EUR/02/C/F/NT- 84604

Agreement N° 2002-4549/001-001LE2X

The Coordinator has sent the Refrigeration Craftsman portfolio to the Partners and requested the National dissemination to the relevant Authorities, VET Bodies, other Educational parties and the RAC Industry Representatives. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE NATIONAL CONTACTING ACTIONS AND THEIR RESULTS BE INFORMED TO THE COORDINATOR AND THE SECRETARY BECAUSE THIS INFORMATION WILL BE THE MAJOR PART OF THE FINAL REPORT ON THE PROJECT. Robert Berckmans will contact with the same objectives : - the AREA Members who are not Partners in the project; - the Representatives of the RAC Industry in the other European countries that have no AREA Member. Jan Reijmers will inform CEDEFOP (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training), EFVET (European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training). Mrs. W. Verlouw-Reijmers has attended the first session organized by EVTA (European Vocational Training Association) that has offered to AREA a “community” on their extranet Exemplo; the Coordinator and Mrs. Verlouw-Reijmers will administer the content of the community. Robert Berckmans will inform IIR (International Institute of Refrigeration) and REHVA (European Federation of Heating and Air Conditioning Associations) that have a wide coverage of the European RAC academic Representatives.

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He will assure, in due time, the follow-up with the European Commission and the MEP, in the scope of the negotiation of the F-gas Regulation. The Coordinator will ask an offer to the Monitor Groep to start developing the AREA website in accordance with the scope, the timing and the budget of Work Package 3. Mrs. Verlouw-Reijmers has prepared an update on the global financial situation :

This project is carried out with the support of the European Community

Total budget versus expenses so far(24-01-2005)

€ 0

€ 20.000

€ 40.000

€ 60.000

€ 80.000

€ 100.000

€ 120.000

€ 140.000 PersonnelBudgetTravel + SubBudgetICTBudgetProductionBudgetOverheadBudgetOtherBudgetMG/TranslationBudget

The next plenary CQC/Leonardo project meeting will take place in Nice on April 29, at 2 pm, in the Grand Hôtel Aston, 12 avenue Felix Faure. The first details about the 2005 Skills Competitions will then be outlined. The competition should include 10 teams : the 7 Partners’ teams and 3 new teams representing AREA Members who are not Partners in the Project. A contribution will be required from these 3 new countries; the Partners will discuss the 5.000 EUR contribution, proposed by the management team, to cover materials and organizational expenses. On the next day’s General Assembly, all the AREA Members will be informed accordingly : “what are the conditions to fulfill and how to get prepared to participate in the competition” will be carefully explained.

The General Assembly will have to think about the continuation of the Skills Competition after the end of the Leonardo project in December 2005. A possibility is to organize it every two years, when the World Skills are not taking place. A cost will have to be paid by all participants for those competitions that would start for the first time in 2006.

*** ICF report The consultants ICF Inc. have been mandated by the Commission to study several aspects of the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector(s).

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A first report has been published on January 25 : review on the minimum qualification requirements for RAC personnel in the EU involved in recovery, recycling, reclamation and destruction of ozone depleting substances, and in annual leak testing of fixed installations with a charge of > 3kg. Because of the timing of the survey, only the first 15 Member States are included. It comes out of the report that Denmark, Germany and Sweden have the strongest minimum qualifications, followed by France, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, … The survey further shows that Germany, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, France, Ireland, the UK have comprehensive training programmes in place. Luxembourg, Sweden, Germany and France appear to have the best programmes for training personnel in leak detection. The report also says that several countries are at the stage where the implementation of a new system will start shortly. The reader will find details about the criteria used and the ratings of the 15 Member States. The ranking of a country is relatively not important for AREA (the consultants may not have got always complete and accurate information!). What is important is the fact that there are major differences and that it is a priority to harmonize at the correct level to be applicable to all Member States. “It is recommended that specialized certification be required for RAC personnel, and that such certification be granted by National bodies only following the successful completion of required courses or examination for candidates with a minimum years of experience; in addition it is recommended that such certification be renewed periodically through basic competency testing.” Courses have to provide knowledge, technical training, field experience and a training on legislative background. Harmonization must not mean leveling down; the best National programmes and systems should not be jeopardized by the harmonization and the mutual recognition concept. In fact what has just been said about the ODS and EC 2037/2000 should be exactly the same for F-gases (HFC) and their coming EU Regulation. That is why it is essential for AREA to be a front actor in the negotiation of the article 5 – training and certification of the future HFC Regulation and why it is a good idea to keep working on the Leonardo project The Refrigeration Craftsman. May we repeat one more time that certification of RAC personnel and companies should also cover installation and servicing activities and not only inspection and recovery. The ICF report also brings to light that our trade is not advertised enough; much more should be done to disseminate the information about the merits of the RAC craftsmanship, the availability of programmes and training centers.

*** Press release from EC Directorate Education

Brussels, 1 February 2005

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Three million “Europass” by 2010: Ján Figel’ calls for more transparency in qualifications and competences during Luxembourg Conference

On 31 January - 1 February 2005, the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU together with the European Commission has launched the implementation of Europass with a conference that has gathered in the Grand Duchy 300 representatives of education and training stakeholders, as well as social partners, from 32 European countries. Europass is a direct service to citizens that will help them to make their qualifications and competences clearly understood throughout Europe. It will therefore facilitate their mobility for both occupational and lifelong learning purposes.

“For all citizens that apply for a job or a learning opportunity, it is vital that their qualifications and competences are clearly understood and properly appreciated. Europass will help them to do so anywhere in Europe, as well as in their own Member State”, said Ján Figel’, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism at the launch conference. The commissioner added: “Europass will be a direct service to citizens. Our objective is that by 2010 some 3 million citizens will have used Europass to improve their position on the European labour market and to take advantage of the European lifelong learning area”.

Established by a decision adopted at the end of 2004 by the European Parliament and the Council1, Europass is one of three complementary instruments supporting mobility within the European strategy “Education and Training 2010”, along with the Ploteus portal launched in 20022 and the European Qualifications Framework now being developed in line with the agreement reached in December in Maastricht3.

The implementation of Europass will need the active cooperation of all relevant stakeholders. This approach was indeed adopted for the launch conference4, where not only the audience, but also most of the speakers were representatives of education and training stakeholders and social partners.

This initiative brings together into a coordinated framework – under the “Europass” label and with a common logo – five transparency documents that cover qualifications and competences in a lifelong learning perspective. Besides the Europass CV, the other Europass elements focus on language skills (Europass Portfolio of Languages), mobility experiences for learning purposes (Europass Mobility) and qualifications in higher education (Europass Diploma Supplements) and vocational training (Europass Certificate Supplement).

1 Decision 2241/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2004 on a single framework for the

transparency of qualifications and competences (Europass), OJ L 390 of 31.12.2004.

2 http://europa.eu.int/ploteus.

3 the Maastricht Communiqué at http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/news/ip/docs/maastricht_com_en.pdf

4 http://www.tvlink.org/templates/fr_v.cfm?id=106&video=27&lang=fr&dg=eac

http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/europass/index_en.html

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By integrating these elements into the Europass label, they will be easier to access and use, making them more widely known and therefore more effective. To this purpose, vital support will be given by:

- The Europass portal at http://europass.cedefop.eu.int. Although currently only available in English and French, it will cover all the other EU languages by the end of February. The portal will allow citizens to complete online, with the help of a tutorial and examples, their own Europass CV and Europass Language Passport.

- The network of National Europass Centres5. In each country, a National Europass Centre will promote the new instrument and coordinate all related activities, in cooperation with the relevant organisations, networks and authorities, as well as with the social partners.

Europass is an open framework, which in future might include further elements to provide citizens with instruments focusing on specific sets of competences, for instance in relation to information technologies or to a given sector.

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Published by Euractiv.com on February 2 : Socialist MEPs want to revitalise Lisbon with 'Europe of excellence'

In Short: The Socialist group in the European Parliament has presented a report setting out 33 ideas to tackle the Commission's proposals for the mid-term review of the Lisbon reform agenda. Background: Commission President Barroso and Enterprise Commissioner Günter Verheugen will today (2 February) present their proposals to revive the Lisbon agenda for economic, social and environmental renewal. The Commission wants to refocus the Lisbon strategy on economic growth and jobs with clearer and fewer priorities. It also wants governments and social partners to take more ownership for the full implementation of the necessary economic and social reforms. Mr Barroso's 'business-friendly' redefinition of the Lisbon agenda has raised concerns with centre-left and green political and social actors that the new Commission is 'sacrificing' the European social model and its strong environmental policies on the altar of competitiveness and economic growth. Issues: In a new report presented on 1 February 2005, the Socialist Group in the European Parliament (PSE) is calling for a "more sophisticated understanding of competitiveness, which recognises the interdependence of economy, society and environment". The report, entitled 'A Europe of excellence', was prepared by a team of policy experts led by PSE vice-presidents Harlem Désir and Robert Goebbels. It sets out 33 'new' ideas to revitalise the Lisbon Strategy.

5 The network is being established. A list is available at:

http://europass.cedefop.eu.int/europass/home/vernav/Information+and++Support/National+Europass+Centres/navigate.action

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The report starts from the observation that "the essence of the Lisbon Strategy is the interdependence of economic, social and environmental progress". It points to the 'Nordic Route to excellence" with countries like Finland, Sweden and Denmark reaching top scores in the annual "Global Competitiveness Report" of the World Economic Forum. The Socialists in the EP see "two models" for answering the challenges of the 21st century. Europe should base "its competitive strategy on excellence, on the high quality of its infrastructure, its public services, its environment, its welfare systems, its workforce, its labour markets, its companies and much more", states the report. Here are just some of the concrete 'new' proposals offered as alternatives to the Commission's plans:

• new and better use of financial resources;

• more investment in education, training and research (member states to quantify budget increases for education spending and national plans for raising R&D to 3% of national income, national strategies for lifelong learning);

• fast adoption of Community Patent;

• rapid establishment of European Research Council and European Innovation Area;

• more funding for research into environmental technologies;

• reform of the Stability and Growth Pact, with a common definition of 'intelligent investment';

• leaner and simpler reporting;

• naming and shaming of laggards in implementing Lisbon reforms;

• new action plan for gender equality;

• a European approach for managing migration;

• national timetables for implementation of the Environmental Technology Action Plan;

• timetable for Integrated Product Policy;

• by end of 2005 ambitious proposals for sustainable energy policies;

• smooth adoption of REACH;

• joint action for sustainable transport;

• member states' plans for greening public procurement;

• fundamental reconsideration of liberalisation of services;

• new Internal Market Strategy 2007-2010;

• timetable for implementation of action plan on enterprise and charter for small business. Technical Committee Work of the AREA Technical and Environment Committee TEC

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January 31, 2005 AREA is expected to come with recommendations about the inspection requirements mentioned in the proposal for a Regulation on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases. Indeed the Commission shall be assisted by the Committee instituted by article 18 of Regulation EC N° 2037/2000 and this Committee will expect in due time the position of the RAC Industry. The AREA Members have received the English version of the STEK document “Approved processes on activities involving CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs for refrigerating installations” (pdf, 326 pages). The motivation of the secretariat was only to supply a document of reference. It was not in the intention of the secretariat to recommend parts of the STEK document. The Technical & Environment Committee will be ready to discuss possible recommendations and make a proposal accordingly when meeting in Nice on April 30. Important message from FETA/BRA to the AREA Secretariat : I have spoken to some of my UK colleagues in ACRIB about the AREA intention to advise the EC F-Gas TAC in due course on inspection requirements, perhaps using part of the STEK manual and the Leonardo portfolio. You may wish to pass this email on to the AREA TEC, who will consider the nature of advice that AREA may eventually give. There is general agreement in the UK RAC sector that STEK is too demanding for UK requirements, and perhaps for other countries also. Clearly there is a danger that EC advisors / officials could seize upon parts of the STEK scheme that are not applicable / appropriate outside the Netherlands and try to “gold-plate” any Europe-wide inspection regime beyond what is actually needed. Hence we have to be very careful in what is proposed / provided / referenced and focus on the issue of refrigerant handling. The same is true of the Leonardo Portfolio, which is very comprehensive, showing the ideal competency of a refrigeration craftsman. However, the total portfolio is not relevant to the F-Gas legislation – just those parts relating to refrigerant handling. Ideally, once the AREA TEC has decided upon the advice it will forward to an F-Gas TAC (Technical Advisory Committee), that advice should be shared with AREA members who in turn will wish to refer to their industry colleagues for approval. Cedric Sloan, Director General

Answer from TEC Chairman to FETA/BRA : Thanks for the input. I agree with you that we do need to be careful not to "over specify" the inspection requirements for the purposes of regulating the F gas requirements. I also raised my concerns at the meeting in Utrecht last February that the Leonardo profile was in danger of becoming an "ideal" refrigeration engineer rather than an overview of the "minimum" standard for a refrigeration craftsman across the EU as I had previously believed the Leonardo project to be about. Robert Berckmans emailed us with a STEK document last week that I haven't had time to look at yet but I do intend reading it before our next TEC meeting in Nice in April when the subject will be discussed. I do agree that the STEK scheme goes well beyond our requirements for this issue and it should only be used as a reference point in the relevant section. It does have

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advantages for reference in that it is an accepted EU member policy that is generally accepted by most as being the most comprehensive. Like many contractors in the UK though I agree that it is too stringent for our needs in the UK and I do believe that it could have a damaging effect on business here if a too similar scheme was introduced. It would be my intention to focus on the refrigerant handling qualifications as necessary to be competent for inspection purposes and I hope that at the TEC meeting in Nice this will be agreed upon after which time the opinion would be disseminated to all our partners as normal through the monthly email updates. I don't see why this cannot open up a forum on the website for any additional thoughts or viewpoints not gathered at TEC committee or General Assembly. Graeme Fox Specialist Mechanical Services Information received from Mr. Philippe Roy of SNEFCCA : The French Government and the French Industry are currently working on legislative and technical documents related to the use of F-gases in refrigeration and air conditioning (EC 2037/2000 and coming HFC Regulation) and the transposition of the Pressure Equipment and Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directives. The information supplied is in French. It consists of :

1. Projet de Décret relatif à certains fluids frigorigènes utilises dans les équipements frigorifiques et climatiques;

2. Projet d’arrêté relatif au contrôle d’étanchéité des elements assurant le confinement des fluides frigirigènes utilises dans les équipements frigorifiques et climatiques

3. Cahier technique professionnel pour l’inspection en service des équipements sous pression utilises en refrigeration et conditionnement de l’air.

These documents are available at the secretariat on request. Here follows a translation of relevant elements. Proposed Decree on F-gases RAC equipment has to be installed and maintained by certified companies : the only exceptions are ready to plug-in hermetic home appliances. The RAC companies and their operating personnel are certified for a period of 5 years. Only certified personnel can install, commission, service, maintain, inspect, repair, dismantle the equipment and recover / handle the refrigerant. Equipment with a charge > 2kg needs to be inspected by a certified company every year and when the installation is modified in a major way. Proposed ministerial order on leak inspections It mentions the use of manual leak detectors or ambient controlling devices; the thresholds are respectively 5 g/year and 10 ppm. SNEFCCA suggests a more realistic limit of 100 ppm. Technical specifications n°2 proposed by the industry in compliance with the PED The equipment is inspected every year : visual inspection and checking of the safety devices. A method of evaluating the leakage rate is explained.

Mr. Roy also referred to useful information contained in the ASHRAE Guidelines :

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Guideline 3-1996 -- Reducing Emission of Halogenated Refrigerants in Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Systems

This guideline recommends practices and procedures covering emission reduction of halogenated hydrocarbon and halogenated ether refrigerants:

• from stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump equipment and systems;

• during manufacture, installation, testing, operation, maintenance, and disposal of equipment and systems.

AUTHORS: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) CITATION: ASHRAE Guideline ISBN/ISSN: 1049-894-X NO. OF PAGES: 16 pp. PUBLISH DATE: 1996 PUBLISHER: ASHRAE UNITS: Dual

Note from the secretariat : other associations start approaching the authorities with their own views about defining the inspections referred to in the coming F-gas Regulation. As an example, the European Cold Storage (owners) and Logistics Association voiced the following opinion : - the word “inspection” (that may imply “by an outside organisation”) should be replaced by “control”;

- a leak detection system should be installed in the engine room; - a mobile leak detection system should be used.

CO²/NH³ as refrigerating fluids Extract from the ECSLA European Cold Storage & Logistics Association’s February 2005 Newsletter :

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European Commission Information received from Hill & Knowlton / EPEE on January 27 : DG Environment Management Plan for 2005 Climate Change is a priority for the new Commission. Key initiatives in this area include:

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· a Communication on future Policy - looking to post-2012 period to the be made public in February. This will be presented to the Spring European Council · a Communication specifically looking at reducing impact of aviation on climate change to be launched in July this year. Also of specific interest to EPEE is the mention in the Commission work programme of a forthcoming Green Paper on a European Energy Efficiency initiative. Green Papers are discussion papers: they present Commission policy orientations to interested parties, who may wish to comment. The Commission may then prepare a Communication or propose binding instruments. The energy efficiency paper will set forth policy options and possible measures to be carried out in the next five years and their expected results. It will identify market barriers which prevent capturing the existing 20% cost-effective savings potential. Delivering this savings will contribute significantly to meeting our Kyoto commitment, as well as to improving security of supply, competitiveness and employment in the EU. The Green paper will also explain what has been done until now and where the EU is regards energy efficiency. It will cover the areas of heat, electricity and transport and all the end-use sectors. European legislation WEEE – Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Mr. Sascha Wenzler, Deputy General Manager, of our Member VDKF, informed about a recent letter from the German Ministry for the Environment (BMU) stating that fixed refrigeration and air conditioning systems (fixed installations) do not fall under the German Elektro-Gesetz which is the national transposition of the WEEE. The Ministry follows our Member VDKF’s and the British argumentation. The German ElektroG will be in the second reading in the Bundesrat on February 18.

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EPB – Directive on Energy Efficiency in Buildings The following websites give updated information : From the Commission, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport DG TREN : http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/energy/demand/index_en.htm From CEN : http://www.cenorm.be/cenorm/workarea/sectorfora/construction+sector+network/energyperformance.asp The EUROpean PRogramme for Occupant Satisfaction, Productivity and Environmental Rating of buildings : certification of existing building energy performance : www.europrosper.org The European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings : http://www.euroace.org/bdirective.htm

Member States DENMARK (Source : EFCTC European Fluorocarbon Technical Committee) The Danish Board of District Heating DBDH has presented a study concerning large central cooling plants, producing chilled water for district cooling, and using seawater for condensation. Comparing different refrigerants, for both screw compressors and reciprocating compressors, the study concludes that HFC-134a is the most energy efficient with screw compressors in the range from 250 to 1000 kW, while, with reciprocating compressors, ammonia is more efficient up to a capacity of 750 kW. The climate in Nordic countries allows seawater cooling, which contributes to saving 15-30% of the energy used for cooling plants. (Source : EPEE / Hill & Knowlton – February 9) Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's centre-right coalition government retained power in yesterday's general election following a campaign dominated by its economic policies and restrictive immigration rules. This election is historic in Denmark as it is the first time that a Liberal Prime Minister is re-elected for a second mandate (four years). With all votes counted, election authorities said Rasmussen's Liberal party, coalition Conservatives and far-right Danish People's Party (DPP) would have 95 of the 179 seats in the new parliament. The Liberal Party saw its number of seats reduced by four, to 52, but it remains Denmark's largest party.

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The count allotted 80 parliamentary seats to Denmark's four left-leaning opposition parties, the Social Democrats, the Radical Party, the Socialist People's Party and the Unity List, who held 77 seats in the outgoing parliament. The Social Democrats, who dominated Denmark's political scene for most of last century, lost five seats in the election, dropping to 47 parliamentary seats whilst the Radical Party (the Social Liberal Party) did very well with 7 additional seats and 16 seats in total. The Government will thus be formed by a Liberal-Conservative coalition with the parliamentary support from the DPP. Although the Conservatives progressed, the Liberals remain the largest Party in Denmark and it is not expected that many of the current ministers are discharged from their functions. The Danish Environment Minister, Connie Hedegaard (Conservative), - who strongly supports a phase-out of F-gases - comes out very positively from the elections with her Party in a reinforced position. She has already highlighted that in the coming days, when the new government prepares its political plan, the Conservatives will try to largely influence the Liberals on various issues, such as the environment. Although it is expected that she will stay on as Environment Minister, this will only be confirmed in the coming days. We will continue to monitor the situation and report back to EPEE with any additional information as soon as possible.

*** FRANCE (Source : Les Echos, February 3)

Uniclima, the association of the French air conditioning and heating technology industry, perceives room for development in the sector, especially after hot summer weather raised demand for efficient air conditioning. At present, only 4 per cent of detached houses in France have air conditioning fitted, and room is perceived for improvement of air quality in French work places as well as in homes. Altogether, the sector, including manufacturers, fitters and importers, calculated 3.2 per cent turnover growth to 1.69bn euros for 2004. A growth rate of 15.8 per cent is estimated for air conditioning. Climatisation : les Français y prennent goût VALERIE LEBOUCQ 468 words 3 February 2005 Les Echos All rights reserved - Les Echos 2005 Visitez le site web: lesechos.fr pour plus d´informations. Les industriels du génie climatique espèrent que 2005 confirmera la bonne tenue du marché du traitement de l'air. La France a un gros retard à combler sur ses voisins européens.Seul 4 % des maisons individuelles sont équipées en France. Le soufflé va-t-il retomber ? C'est la question que se posent les professionnels du génie climatique, autrement dit tout ce qui a trait au chauffage, au traitement de l'air et à la climatisation. « La canicule a sans doute provoqué une réelle prise de conscience de la nécessité d'améliorer la qualité de l'air et le confort de la température ambiante », estime Patrick Antoine, le délégué général du syndicat professionnel Uniclima.

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De fait, la France a un gros retard à combler sur les lieux de travail et dans le secteur résidentiel avec seulement 4 % des maisons individuelles équipées de système de traitement de l'air et de climatisation, soit nettement moins que dans les pays du Sud comme l'Italie et l'Espagne - pour des raisons évidentes de météo - mais aussi que dans les pays nordiques, où la qualité de l'air est une préoccupation ancienne. « La réglementation européenne est l'élément moteur dans ce domaine », explique-t-il. Au total, les professionnels du traitement de l'air (industriels, importateurs et installateurs) estiment que leurs ventes vont progresser de 3,2 % en 2004, à 1,69 milliard d'euros, avec un bond de 15,8 % pour le conditionnement de l'air. Le prix des climatiseurs portables importés d'Asie (comme les ventilateurs) et vendus dans la grande distribution a été divisé par deux. Une tendance que l'on observe aussi, mais dans des proportions moindres, pour les installations fixes, dont les prix unitaires moyens reculent de 3 % à 4 % par an. Inscription au plan Climat Si les petits appareils mobiles qui rejettent sans précaution l'air chaud à l'extérieur ont, à juste titre, mauvaise réputation, les machines réversibles, qui chauffent en hiver et climatisent en été avec une consommation inférieure à celle des convecteurs classiques, posent moins de problèmes. Signe de l'évolution des mentalités, la profession a obtenu que la « climatisation durable » soit retenue comme faisant partie des éléments de confort, notion inscrite dans le plan Climat censé traduire dans la législation française les engagements du protocole de Kyoto et dont les décrets et arrêtés sont attendus en mai 2005. Autre sujet de satisfaction, « l'excellente collaboration entre les professionnels et le ministère de la Santé », qui a permis, l'an dernier, de recenser et de traiter les maisons de retraite publiques et privées. « En septembre 2004, je dirais que nous avons réussi à couvrir 95 % des établissements concernés, avec installation d'un système de climatisation ou de pièces réfrigérées », dit Patrick Antoine.

*** SPAIN CLIMATIZACION 2005 took place in Madrid on 23-26 February. It was the 11th International Air Conditioning, Heating, Ventilation & Refrigeration Exhibition organized by IFEMA. About 650 direct exhibitors representing 1,500 companies and more than 4,000 brands were on display in 8 halls, a total area of 107,000 M².

*** UK (Source : RAC 2005 News on February 9) BOC acquires Calor’s HC refrigerants business

Calor has sold its CARE range of hydrocarbon-based refrigerants to BOC. In a deal worth £5 million, BOC will take over Calor’s sales, marketing and distribution of bulk and packaged hydrocarbon refrigerants, such as high purity propane and butane. The deal also includes Calor’s UK aerosol propellants and propylene business. BOC already distributes CARE refrigerant products in some areas of the world, including some European countries and Asia. Calor established the CARE brand of non-ozone depleting refrigerants in response to environmental pressures in the Eighties and Nineties, and the phase out of CFC/HCFCs. They have had a significant impact on the domestic refrigeration market, and the smaller end of the commercial sector in some countries.

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Rachel Mason, BOC’s refrigerants business manager, said: “ The acquisition is consistent with BOC’s growth strategy for its packaged chemicals business, where BOC plays an important role. “ The CARE range is an important part of our refrigerants strategy, where we offer a one-stop shop for all quality refrigerants. “ It presents significant opportunities as our customers move to natural alternatives driven by

environmental legislation and consumer choice.” The CARE refrigerants will be supplied from BOC’s Immingham site. Editor’s note : BOC is expected to be more neutral because they also rely heavily on HFCs. (Source : RAC 2005 News on February 16)

Tories: We won’ t back down on HFC policy

The Conservative Party has said that it will not back down over its pledge to ban the use of HFCs if it comes to power. Conservative leader Michael Howard announced last September that he would ban HFCs between 2008 and 2014. And about our Member HVCA RACG A new software package designed to help track the use of refrigerants has been released by REFCOM, part of the Heating and Ventilating Association’s RAC Group.

The launch comes ahead the proposed F-Gas Regulation, which is likely to put in place stringent rules for recording and reporting the use of greenhouse gases.

REFCOM’s new Refrigerant Tracking database provides for accurate recording of refrigerant movement between supplier, cylinder and plant — from commissioning and charging through to subsequent recovery and final disposal, with each transaction being recorded, reported and summarised.

The package includes a subscription service to provide product and technical updates on evolving best practice and guidance on emerging legislation as the F-Gas Regulation takes shape and comes into force.

Norman Mitchell, chairman of the REFCOM Management Committee, said: “ Tightened legislation and simple good business sense mean it is time to get on top of the problem of refrigerant tracking.

“ Companies registered to REFCOM demonstrate a strong sense of corporate responsibility through a firm commitment to environmental matters. Any company serious about its future in the industry should register to the scheme” .

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Sister Associations

REHVA The original name of REHVA, "Representatives of European Heating and Ventilating Associations" was changed to "Federation of European Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning Associations”. REHVA has been created about 40 years ago. The Members have often an academic or research background. REHVA has frequent contacts with ASHRAE and IIR. Most of the work is performed, on a voluntary base, in three Committees : Technical, Publishing (taking over the findings of the Technical Committee, editing, translating, …) and Education. Task Forces are regularly assigned (about 15 active) on several projects (sometimes co-financed by the EC) on various issues : energy efficiency, environment friendly systems, air quality, renewable energy sources, design guidelines, … A major international conference is organized every 3 years : the next one “Experience the future of building technologies” will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland, on October 9-11, 2005. Robert Berckmans met REHVA’s Secretary General, Mrs. Lara EGLI, on January 26. Mrs. Egli is working part-time from her home office and would be in favour of sharing an office with clerical help with other sister associations. It is definitely an opportunity to consider in the future : REHVA is more complementary than a competing organization and the fact that their Members generally are persons with an extensive academic background in HVAC (not in refrigeration), it can be worthwhile to inform them about the AREA achievements in VET matters. It can only be for the benefit of the European qualified and certified RAC craftsmen and it would bring a bridge to the heating sector that we should no more ignore. To avoid any misunderstanding, sharing an office and secretarial personnel would absolutely not mean sharing representation and lobbying actions that have to remain the exclusivity of each association.

*** ASHRAE publishes a Refrigeration Safety Standard ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers has published its 2004 refrigeration safety standard, which establishes procedures for operating equipment and systems to ensure the safety of the building occupants and technicians. ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2004 Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems includes prohibition against the use of flammable refrigerants for applications for human comfort and clarifies the application of safety relief valves for pressure vessels. Standard 15 was first published in 1919 as a tentative code for the regulation of refrigerating machines and refrigerants in recognition of the need for enacting safety regulations. (Source: ASHRAE press release) ASHRAE Online Bookstore at www.ashrae.org.

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EPEE European Partnership for Energy and the Environment The AREA Secretary is member of two permanent working groups : “Making F-gases Regulation a success” and “Energy issues”.

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EPEE

Temporary Task Forces: • Energy Efficiency • Germany • Standards • Denmark • Austria • Switzerland

Country Contacts: • Sweden/Finland • Benelux • France • UK /Ireland • Germany • Spain/Portugal • Italy • Greece • Europe outside EU

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Commun

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F-gase

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a success

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EHPA European Heat Pump Association Please pay attention to the part in blue. VISION 2010 for the European Heat Pump Association

The situation on the world energy markets clearly shows that every alternative to fossil energy supply will gain on a short to medium term basis. This is particularly true for the huge energy demand for heat supply. For regenerative heat supply, heat pumping technologies play an increasing role, already evidenced by their steadily increasing market share across Europe. The ratification of the Kyoto protocol will definitely concentrate attention on reducing CO2 emissions. Elected in June 04 as Vice-Chair of the EHPA, I intend to continue and further to strengthen the successful development of the Association. Our goal is to clearly demonstrate the potential for heat pumps to reduce CO2 emissions and the major role that they can play in achieving the Kyoto target. The EHPA should become the European information platform for heat pumps for all relevant stakeholders, with a particular focus on politicians and administrators. To ensure a sustainable market growth of heat pumping technologies, we will focus strongly on common quality aspects and standardisation on a European scale. Quality labels and their European standardisation are of interest to both producers and users. It is the intention to host the DACH quality label (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) within the EHPA. Another important task during the next months involves collaboration for the forthcoming EU -Ecolabel for heat pumps. European quality standards should also involve education and training. The EHPA and some of its member organisations are working closely together in an EU project (EU-CERT.HP) to determine a common training level, including certification, for heat pump installers and planners in all member countries. We also intend to strengthen the internal and external network of experts to create more research opportunities. This is particularly relevant, due to the success of our first projects (e.g. SHERHPA). More cooperation projects are envisaged, especially in the sectors of Green Heat and quality management for drilling. The collation and distribution of market statistics on a European level will be an important service for decision makers. To summarise, the EHPA will contribute as an information platform to show clearly the potential of heat pumps to reduce CO2 emissions and deliver the basic work which is necessary to ensure sustainable market growth. On the theme of co-operation, close cooperation with the IEA and the Heat Pump Centre is very welcome and sensible, as both organisations already complement each other very well. We should further extend this cooperation to other existing contacts to ensure information exchange and the building of partnerships.

Brigitte Bach, Vice-Chair of the EHPA Events EVTA, the European Vocational Training Association, will hold a conference in Budapest, Le Méridien Hotel, on February 24-25, 2005 : “Bringing the spirit of Leonardo back to Leonardo”.

Mr. Attila Zoltan, Managing Director of HRACA, will report on the event.

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For information, please visit www.evta.net

*** Reminder : RAC2005, 1-3 March, 2005, Hall 17, NEC Birmingham, UK For information, please visit www.racexhibition.com.

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