Author name: EuroWindoor

Under the title of “Celebrating the past, present and future of glass for a sustainable, equitable and better tomorrow!” the International Year of Glass 2022 (IOYG) began with the opening ceremony at the Palace of Nations in Geneva on February 10th. A chance for the glass industry to show the many advantages of windows in buildings.

Mrs. Alicia Durán, chair of the IOYG2022, opened the ceremony and welcomed the attendees to the “age of glass”. Invented by accident after a campfire on a beach by merchants, glass began its march across the world. Traded from Egypt to China, from Iran to Europe it is not possible to think about a world without glass.

The IYOG showcases the many ways glass can be used in improving our daily life but especially how glass can be used to reach the sustainability goals the United Nation and European Union have set for 2030. Here glass in buildings, foremost windows, is in the focus to help decarbonizing the building stock. This is needed as 40% of the CO₂ emissions come from buildings. While some emissions are produced during the construction phase around 28% of the emissions are results from the day-to-day use of the building, mainly by heating and cooling systems.

In order to reduce the CO₂, optimizing the building envelope should be the first priority along with the Energy Efficiency First Principle when planning or renovating a building. Glazed windows are a good way of reaching those goals resulting in a reduced needs for heating and cooling. Once installed windows do not produce more carbon emissions. Glass is non-toxic, up to 100% recyclable and when used in buildings as windows providing better health for occupants by giving daylight, natural ventilation and more. The latter aspects become increasingly important as people spent more and more time indoors and a healthy indoor climate is not a “comfort” aspect but necessary for the well-being of the occupants. EuroWindoor advocates for more sustainability in the building sector and healthier buildings for the people to live in and is excited for the IYOG2022 in hope to bring more awareness to these issues.

For further information please see:

International Year of Glass 2022      
EuroWindoor on benefits of windows and glazed areas

Press Contact:

Miriam Weppler
EuroWindoor General Secretariat
Walter-Kolb-Str. 1-7
60594 Frankfurt / Germany
Phone: +49 (69) 95 50 54 – 36
Fax: +49 (69) 95 50 54 – 11
Email: GS@EuroWindoor.eu

As announced in May last year, the UN declared the year 2022 as the International Year of Glass (IYOG). With this, numerous events around the world will take place to celebrate all forms and aspects of glass.

Starting the celebrations will the opening ceremony from February 10^th to 11^th at the Palace of Nations in Geneva. Numerous internationally recognized speakers will attend as well as political figures and members of the glass sector. Additionally, the event will be streamed live via UN Web TV for those who are unable to attend the ceremony in person. The focus will be on the latest scientific and technical advancements of glass and on the historic and artistic significance.

Today, glass has become an integral part of our cityscapes and modern architecture is unimaginable without it. As a transparent building material, it is preferably used for windows. Glass enables solar gains to save heating energy and ensures healthy living by the use of daylight.

The opening ceremony will mark the beginning of fairs and events around the IYOG in 2022. From Italy to China, showcases around the world will display the vital role glass has in today’s society.

The Düsseldorf fair Glasstec, 20^th-23^rd September 2022, is a part of the IYOG as well. EuroWindoor is organizing the conference “Daylight by EuroWindoor” with renowned speakers during the Glasstec. Ending will the IYOG with a closing ceremony in Japan in December.

For further information please see the website of IYOG Opening Ceremony and Glasstec 2022.

Press Contact:

Miriam Weppler
EuroWindoor General Secretariat
Walter-Kolb-Str. 1-7
60594 Frankfurt / Germany
Phone: +49 (69) 95 50 54 – 36
Fax: +49 (69) 95 50 54 – 11
Email: GS@EuroWindoor.eu

On March 18th, 2021 the EuroWindoor General Assembly elected unanimously Verena Oberrauch (Member of the board of directors of Finstral AG, Unterinn / Italy) as new President and Nicolas Dupin (Regulatory Affairs Advisor at VELUX A/S, Hørsholm / Denmark) as new Vice-President. Franz Hauk (Share-holder of F.R. Hauk Stahl- und Leichtmetallbau GmbH, Berlin / Germany) was re-elected as Vice-President – as well unanimously – for further three years.
Each member of the Executive Board represents a material group affiliated to the association, which is division plastics by Verena Oberrauch, division wood by Nicolas Dupin and division metal by Franz Hauk

The EuroWindoor General Assembly thanked the previous Executive Board Joachim Oberrauch, Helle Carlsen Nielsen and Franz Hauk for their great engagement to increase significantly the relevance of EuroWindoor since its founding in 2015. Under their 6 years leadership EuroWindoor was established as a valued stakeholder for EU institutions when developing legal framework with impact on the European window, door and facade sector. Representing the interest of the sector EuroWindoor puts the focus on energy efficiency, health / environment, research / education and CE-Marking / standardisation.

Joachim Oberrauch and Helle Carlsen Nielsen have taken new tasks in their companies and were not available for another term of office. EuroWindoor wishes all the best for their challenges ahead.

With the new President Verena Oberrauch, the new Vice-President Nicolas Dupin and the confirmed Vice-President Franz Hauk EuroWindoor will continue to contribute to the EU’s commitment regarding better regulation, ensuring window and door products are on the agenda as a positive products.

[Here  you will find all information about EuroWindoor]

EuroWindoor acknowledge the necessity to revise the EPBD to deliver on the Renovation Wave / Green Deal objectives and gave feedback to the consultation of the European Commission.

In light of the European ambitions to achieve 55% net emissions reduction by 2030 and become climate neutral by 2050, EuroWindoor fully support Option 3 as described in the Inception Impact Assessment. Particularly given that energy renovation of buildings has been identified as a key European flagship for national recovery plans, we should make sure to invest in measures which lead to energy efficient and sustainable buildings.

The renovation rate has to be increased by mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for all building types, an improved framework for Energy Performance Certificates and stricter requirements for all Public Buildings. EuroWindoor suggest as well to focus more on minimum requirements for Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) by addressing health and comfort (Daylight, Air Quality, Summer Comfort…) and embodied CO2 emissions of building materials should be considered. Over all free solar gains through a building’s envelope (Energy Balance) should be factored in by Member States as the appropriate product criterion in national regulations on building modernization.

EuroWindoor feedback Inception Impact Assessments on Revision of EPBD (March 2021)

[Here  you will find all position papers / publications]

The window, door and flat glass industry welcomes the publication of the Commission’s communication “A Renovation Wave for Europe – greening our buildings, creating jobs, improving lives” . The objective to double the annual energy renovation rate of residential and non-residential buildings by 2030 represents a crucial step toward a Climate Neutral Union and will trigger the transformation of the European building stock as well as create associated green jobs in a post-COVID 19 context, particularly if combined with ambitious national recovery plans with a strong renovation focus.

For more information see the joint position.

The window value-chain, which is made of both SMEs and larger firms, plays a strategic role for the sustainable future of the construction industry. The European building stock is equipped with very inefficient windows, mainly single glazed or early uncoated double glazing . By introducing measures in support of window replacements, national Recovery and Resilience Plans have the potential to deliver long-term energy savings and CO2 emission reduction. We are convinced that the 7 areas of intervention identified by the Commission in the Renovation Wave to scale up efficient renovation and trigger the transformation of the building stock will bring powerful tools to rapidly improve the energy efficiency of European buildings and their windows. To materialize, the Renovation Wave needs to be backed by an ambitious revision of both the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Building Directive.

Download Joint position paper on the Renovation Wave (March 2021)

Brussels, 25 February 2021 – EuroWindoor, representing the interests of the European window, door and facade (curtain walling) sector, and venticool, the platform for resilient ventilative cooling, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their relationship and to promote substantial and tangible actions on resilient ventilative cooling issues.

Both organizations are committed to better comfort and energy savings in buildings. The window related natural ventilative cooling is a jointly recommended key element to meet the required energy efficiency and wellbeing of the residents during periods of cooling demand.

“We are looking forward to cooperate with venticool to strengthen the focus on the important issue of ventilative cooling for the fenestration sector” says Frank Koos, Secretary General of EuroWindoor. “Both partners will benefit from the knowledge and resources of each other to counter the increased risk of overheating caused by climate change”.

“Prevention of overheating in nearly zero energy buildings is one of the key challenges. Smart control of openings in facades and roofs is a key to achieving comfortable thermal conditions with limited energy use” points out Peter Wouters, Manager of INIVE, which operates venticool. “We welcome this partnership with EuroWindoor and look forward to a fruitful collaboration”.

More information to EuroWindoor is available on https://www.eurowindoor.eu

More information to venticool is available on https://venticool.eu/

Press Contact:
Dr. Peter Christian Lang
General Secretariat EuroWindoor
Walter-Kolb-Str. 1-7, 60594 Frankfurt am Main
Phone.: +49 (69) 95 50 54-28, Fax: +49 (69) 95 50 54-11
Email: pr@eurowindoor.eu
www.eurowindoor.eu

Brussels, 1 February 2021 – The European window and door eco-system represented by EuroWindoor, ARGE, European Aluminium, EPPA, ES-SO, and Glass for Europe joined forces to call on National Governments to put Window replacement at the core of national Resilience and Recovery Plans.

Developing effective plans to replace inefficient windows is a key element of a sustainable and green recovery. Window replacement allows to generate long-lasting energy savings and move towards climate neutrality, while making a noticeable difference in people’s quality of life and supporting the recovery of a crucial sector of the EU economy.

“Setting dedicated measures in National Recovery Plans for replacing inefficient windows is a wise and easy step to make EU buildings more energy efficient and to limit C0₂ emissions.”, says Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass for Europe. “Long-lasting energy savings could be quickly achieved, if national recovery and renovation plans were effective at supporting the uptake of high-performance windows equipped with the right glazing combination”.

“To achieve the ambitious climate targets of the European Commission, higher renovation rates of at least 2% are necessary in the building sector. With the replacement of windows in the building envelope, we follow the principle of efficiency first,” says EuroWindoor Secretary General Frank Koos. “Energy renovations can only be triggered with financial incentives and the gradual introduction of binding minimum standards for energy efficiency”.

Installing high-performance windows responds to today’s consumers’ expectations of more comfortable, healthy, and healing indoor space. “New windows combined with smart functionalities such as dynamic solar shading, dynamic glazing, solar control glass, are essential for people’s  comfort in energy efficient and healthy buildings”, concluded Ann Van Eycken, Secretary General of ES-SO, European Solar Shading Organization.

Download Window replacement at the core of national Resilience and Recovery Plans

Brussels, 11 January 2021 – Ahead of the upcoming approval expiry date (31st of March 2021) of propiconazole, a wood preservative used for timber doors and windows, CEI-Bois, EuroWindoor and Small Business Standards (SBS) published a position paper that defines its role as preservative for wood-based products, recognises the need to extend the transition period and expresses the wish to initiate partnerships to develop long term sustainable alternatives.

The availability of timber provided by the European forestry industry has turned wood into a popular primary material for many industrial sectors, among which the timber window and door industry plays a key role and follows strict processes to meet the properties demanded by construction standards. In its recent Renovation Wave Strategy, the European Commission also recognised the important role of nature-based construction materials such as wood due to its double benefit of “stocking carbon emissions in buildings and avoiding emissions that would have been needed to produce conventional construction materials”.

To increase the use of wood in construction products and more specifically in windows and doors, the humid European climate makes it necessary to treat the timber sash and frame against fungal attacks (see position paper annex, page 7) to ensure a long service life of the products. This is often a regulatory requirement as contained in several European standards such as EN 599-1 and EN 335, both setting treatment requirements to ensure the durability of wood and wood-based products.

Timber window and door manufacturers use the approved active substance propiconazole in combination with one or two other active substances (tebuconazole and/or Iodopropynyl Butyl Carbamate (IPBC) when impregnating timber. The combination is essential to keep the total amount of active substances at a minimum, limit the concentration of impregnation product and at the same time ensure a long service life for the windows and doors. Currently, there are no identified alternatives that can be used directly by manufacturers of wooden products, leaving the industry without any solution to secure the long lifespan of the products in case of a non-renewal. In this regard, several studies are being conducted at the moment with the aim of screening all suitable technologies (with and without propiconazole), and findings should be communicated in early 2021.

In the meantime, it must be avoided that users of wood materials are excluded from the market. Solutions need to be found to ensure that the properties of wood products will not deteriorate due to insufficient protective measures. Maintaining and expanding the use of the sustainable native material wood in the construction sector is an important contribution to achieve the goals defined by the EU within the framework of the EU Green Deal (2019) and Bio-economy Strategy (2018) which aim for climate neutrality, value creation and resource efficiency. For users of these wood preservatives, the priority is on the development of practical solutions that would ensure the use of wood as a sustainable material and not in defending a specific chemical substance.

Therefore, CEI-Bois, EuroWindoor and SBS support the following temporary decisions to maintain the relevancy of the timber window and door industry:

• Postpone the expiry date of approval of the propiconazole active substance for use in biocidal products in wood preservatives (Product Type 8) due to the delay of the impact assessment study.
• Renew the approval of propiconazole until an equivalent substitute is available, tested and assessed for use in timber windows and doors.

In the long term, CEI-Bois, EuroWindoor and SBS call for a public-private partnership on wood preservatives to be initiated by the European Commission without delay, where public authorities and the industry can agree on sustainable alternatives to biocidal products containing the active substances propiconazole, tebuconazole and IPBC.

Read the position paper « The use of Propiconazole in wood preservatives for timber windows and doors ».

*** END ***

AMFT (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Hersteller von Metall-Fenster/Türen/Tore/Fassaden) has been adopted as a new member association of EuroWindoor in the last Directing Council Meeting on 17 November 2020.

This Austrian assiciaction is representing window, door and facade manufacturers linked to the material metal. With AMFT EuroWindoor has 19 member associations from 14 European countries.
EuroWindoor is looking forward to a excellent collaboration to support our sector on European level.

For more information about the EuroWindoor members please view this section “Members”

EuroWindoor AISBL gives an update on its activities in the Newsletter 12/2019. In the second half of 2019 we worked hard on our working program (Energy Efficiency, Health and Environment, Research and Education and CE-Marking and Standardisation) to improve the situation of our sector.

The Newsletter 12/2019 of EuroWindoor has the following content:

• EuroWindoor fights for harmonisation of internal fire doors
• EuroWindoor position on the “Review of CPR”
• EuroWindoor supports as member of Active House comfortable, sustainable buildings
• EuroWindoor feedback on Public Consultation on the RoHS Evaluation
• New member from Slovakia welcomed

For more information please download the EuroWindoor Newsletter 12/2019 and visit the section Position papers and Publications  to find all newsletter until 2015 in the section “Newsletter”

EuroWindoor as a strong supporter of the principles of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) has been actively contributing to the review process of the CPR by submitting improvement proposals during each public consultation and active participation to the technical platform meetings.

EuroWindoor highlights that the effective enforcement and observation of the regulation will only be enabled through:

1. Competent Notified Bodies and a well-functioning market surveillance securing a level playing field
2. A streamlined process for the development, the revision and the citation of hENs

Ensuring a proper legal framework for the Union Market remains vital to ensure strong competitiveness of the European industry and a broad enforcement throughout Europe.
EuroWindoor supports a smooth development of the CPR described as “Option I” (guidance or “soft law”) or “Sub-option II.A” (Limited revision tackling explicitly identified issues) in the Impact Assessment Study (2018-11-28).

EuroWindoor Position on Review of CPR 1911

[Here you find all position papers and publications]

As the online questionnaire of the consultation was not suitable for construction products like windows, doors and facades with electrical devices falling under category 11 (“Other EEE not covered by any of the categories”), EuroWindoor published and sent its feedback on Public Consultation on the RoHS Evaluation.

EuroWindoor’s requests, that electrical devices attached to windows, doors and facades shall be regulated by RoHS, but not the construction product itself which is covered sufficiently by CPR (2011/305/EU) and REACH (2006/1907/EC).

EuroWindoor Feedback on Public Consultation on the RoHS Evaluation (November 2019)

[Here you find all position papers and publications]

EuroWindoor together with EDSF and SBS point out that the European internal market is constrained by contrary requests of CEN and European Commission. Not synchronized developments of the standards and their citations like e.g. co-existence periods for EN 16034 and EN 14351-2 will lead to difficulties and confusion on the market. The European Commission need to act now!

EuroWindoor, European Door & Shutter Federation and Small Business Standards are calling on the European Commission to implement the below three-step approach to minimise the impact on the sector:

• extend the co-existence period for EN 16034 beyond 01 November 2019
• ensure that it is aligned with the co-existence period for EN 14351-2
• cite EN 14351-2 in the Official Journal of the European Union without any further delay

EuroWindoor-EDSF-SBS joint position on fire doors and internal pedestrian doorsets (September 2019)

[Here you find all position papers and publications]

EuroWindoor has some concerns regarding the ECHA Annex XV Restriction Report and Proposal for a Restriction of Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde releasers, dated 7 March 2019 concerning windows, doors and facades (curtain walling).

EuroWindoor detected some discrepancies in using the test method EN 717-1. Furthermore EuroWindoor concludes the restriction and testing is only useful for products with relevant formaldehyde indoor emissions.

In the position paper EuroWindoor explains the situation for windows, doors and facades (curtain walling) and recommends to use EN 16516 instead as test method for formaldehyde and other VOC emissions from construction products. All articles without relevant formaldehyde indoor emissions like windows, doors and curtain walling should be exempted. Alternatively a list of selected products with certain impact can be fixed.

EuroWindoor Position on REACH restriction proposal on formaldehyde (September 2019)

[Here you find all position papers and publications]

EuroWindoor informes on some activities in the Newsletter 08/2019 related to Energy Efficiency, Health and Environment as well as CE-Marking and Standardisation.

The Newsletter 08/2019 of EuroWindoor has the following content:

• EuroWindoor session on Energy Balance during Concerted Action EPBD meeting in Riga
• RoHS II: Draft Delegated Act for exemption of Cadmium and Lead in PVC window profiles
• EuroWindoor meeting with DG GROW
• EuroWindoor Directing Council Meeting on June 6^th and 7^th, 2019 in Lisbon
• New EuroWindoor members
• Appointments 2019/2020

For more information please download the EuroWindoor Newsletter 08/2019 and visit the section Position papers and Publications  to find all newsletter since 2015 in the section “Newsletter”

In July 2019 RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU will come into force for construction products with electrical devices. Even it is not written in the directive that the complete window or door with electrical device will become an electrical equipment, construction products shall belong to category 11 (“Other EEE not covered by any of the categories”) as the EU Commission states in the FAQ.

EuroWindoor detected some problems by implementing the RoHS requirements because of different procedures and responsibilities of installing electrical devices to windows and doors resulting in different requirements for the products. Only if the electrical devices are included before the complete product is placed on the market, the RoHS requirements do apply to the complete construction product. More often the electrical devices are installed after the construction product is placed on the marked. Then the window or door complies with CPR / REACH and the electrical devices with RoHS.

In the position paper EuroWindoor explains the different RoHS requirements for windows and doors with electrical devives depending from route of distribution with a motor lock for a door as example.

EuroWindoor suggests to limit the scope to the electrical device of the window/door, something that could be done by clarifying the definition of large scale fixed installations. Windows and doors are normally assembled and installed by professionals and will stay in the building for 40+ years whereas an electrical device itself typically will be replaced 2 to 3 times during this period. 

EuroWindoor position on RoHS II for windows and doors with electrical equipment depending from route of distribution (January 2019)
[Here you find all position papers and publications]

Frankfurt am Main, November 13th, 2018. After decades spent evaluating windows particularly with regard to their thermal insulation, it is only now that focus is moving onto the considerable benefits of daylight. Interest in the “Daylight by EuroWindoor: the use of daylight in buildings – fundamentals and planning” conference, which was held on 24 October 2018 at the “glasstec” in Dusseldorf, was therefore accordingly great. Hosted by EuroWindoor Vice President Helle Carlsen Nielsen, speakers presented the latest findings from daylight research and the skilful implementation of these in the building planning process as well as the new European standard EN 17037 for daylight in buildings which will be published in autumn 2018

The presentations by the daylight standardisation experts Prof. Marc Fontoynont, renowned German light planner Prof. Peter Andres as well as Markus Broich from the Bundesverband Flachglas (Federal Flat Glass Association) and Ferdinand Friedrichs from the Verband Fenster + Fassade (Window and Curtain Walling Manufacturers’ Association) highlighted, partly proven by empirical research, the full significance of daylight in buildings as well as the latest draft standards.

“I don’t really think that our sector is fully aware yet of the significance of daylight for our health, wellbeing, concentration and performance. Hereby the immense interest in this event and the animated discussions have shown that this subject is relevant today,” emphasised Frank Koos, EuroWindoor Secretary General. “There is hardly a stronger argument in the planning and sale of large glazed elements, whether as windows or as part of a transparent facade, than daylight.”

On the morning of 24 October 2018, EuroWindoor presented the findings of the EuroWindoor study on the use of windows and external doors out of wood once they are no longer in use (End-of-Life Treatment). According to this, in Europe more than 50 per cent of the wood of these elements does not go to landfill, as outlined in the European draft standard for the compilation of environmental product declarations but into thermal recovery (incineration) or recycling. In his presentation on the study findings, David McKinnon from the Danish consultancy Ramboll, emphasised that the European Committee for Standardisation CEN has amended the final draft of EN 17213 “Windows and Doors – Environmental Product Declarations – Product Category Rules for Windows and Doors” accordingly.

Photo „Glastec_daylight1“: The organisers and speakers of the “Daylight by EuroWindoor” conference (from left to right): Frank Koos, Markus Broich, Prof. Peter Andres, Helle Carlsen Nielsen, Ferdinand Friedrichs and Prof. Marc Fontoynont (photo: EuroWindoor)

Photo “Glastec_ daylight2”: The EuroWindoor Daylight conference was immensely popular. (photo: EuroWindoor)

Photo „Glastec_End-of-Life“: In the morning, at the EuroWindoor “End-of-Life Study” presentation: Frank Koos, Helle Carlsen Nielsen and David McKinnon (from left to right). (photo: EuroWindoor)

Publications of EuroWindoor

[more information about the working programm / activities of EuroWindoor]

Frankfurt am Main, November 9th, 2018. EuroWindoor AISBL as a strong supporter of the EPBD welcomes a more holistic approach recognizing the complementary potential of Energy efficiency, healthy indoor comfort and positive impacts on the environment. Of absolute importance is now implementation of the 2018-amended EPBD Directive into national legislation.

EuroWindoor participated as a stakeholder in the political process in the revision of the EPBD. After publishing the Directive (EU) 2018/844 amending the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive it is key now to highlight the benefits of daylight, solar gains, solar protection and natural ventilation. Following points should be considered in the implementation into the national legislation:

1. Increasing the replacement rate of windows as part of the long-term renovation strategy
   The renovation rate needs to grow to 3%/year adding 1 million more jobs. Triggering renovations in Europe is key in obtaining large energy use reductions in our buildings, and the replacement of windows plays a crucial role in achieving to reduce CO_² emissions. A new study from Ingenieurbüro Hauser (IBH) on “Pan-European results on energy savings due to window replacement (2018) shows that window replacement policies based on energy balance approach can result in huge energy savings.
2. Focus on daylight, indoor climate aspects and a dynamic building envelope to ensure that European citizens live and work in healthier buildings
   We spend 90% our time indoors, while studies indicate that more than 30% of all building stock in Europe is poorly ventilated, often humid, lacking daylight and are often the cause for chronical diseases (Fraunhofer, 2016). Therefore, policies must improve indoor comfort conditions.
3. The energy balance principle shall be defined in the specific heating and cooling climatic conditions to assess the energy performance of windows
   Currently, Member States have regulated windows mainly by UW-values (heat-loss). However, when the effect of solar gain is left out, the real performance is not reflected and this is not in line with the objectives of sustainable development or giving the right assessment of a window’s real contribution to the performance of a building envelope.

Download of the EuroWindoor position on “Benefits of windows and glazed areas (September 2018)”

Download of the EuroWindoor Infographic “EPBD 2018 Implementation: Windows for healthier buildings (November 2018)”

All publications of EuroWindoor

[more information about EPBD and translations of the documents in the section “Energy Performance of Buildings” of the activitity “Energy Efficiency”]

EuroWindoor took note of the Task report on scoping the Ecodesign preparatory study for Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) in September 2018, decided to clarify important items for our sector and published in September 2018 the position on scoping the Ecodesign preparatory study for Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS).

The Ecodesign preparatory study on Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) implementing the Ecodesign Working Plan 2016-2019 has the aim to pursue climate targets and reduce CO2 emissions.

The products of our sector are integrated into the building management system in a wide variety of ways, some of which are also operated as stand-alone actuators. We would like to highlight that the products are fundamentally different from e.g. heat generator control system”. The function of our products is of key relevance to reduce building energy consumption by changing the performance of the building shell when needed, e.g. by controlling solar gains for reducing heating or cooling energy, by allowing natural ventilation and night cooling to reduce the potential need for air-conditioning etc. There is no need to have a permanent operation and most of the time the products are in stand-by mode. In the Annex exemplary extrapolations of the energy consumption for various products is calculated.

The following conclusions can be drawn from the projections and evaluations:

• Energy consumption of active operation of the mentioned products is usually smaller than in stand-by mode.
• All energy consumption of the above mentioned products is far below the data of other consumers (such as artificial lightning, heating, cooling, …).
• The energy consumption of automatic sliding or revolving doors is higher than that of automated windows or shutters, but is due to more frequent use (inspection) and safety aspects (e.g. escape routes, fire protection).

EuroWindoor proposes for reasons of e.g. no significant savings in self-consumption bearing in mind the proportionality of future possible measures not to take these BACS products under further consideration for potential product measures according to Ecodesign Directive (ED) and Energy Labelling Regulation (ELR) in the “Ecodesign preparatory study for Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) implementing the Ecodesign Working Plan 2016-2019”. Instead the Smart Readiness Indicator with its focus on e.g. energy and indoor climate, well-being and health aspects should be developed.

Examples of energy consumption are shown in the annex of Position Paper.

EuroWindoor position on scoping the Ecodesign preparatory study for Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS)
[Here you find all position papers and publications]

On October 24th, 2018 EuroWindoor presents the results of the EuroWindoor study on how to deal with windows and doors made of wood after the service life (“end-of-life treatment”) at the “glasstec” fair in Dusseldorf. The results are presented by David McKinnon of the international engineering and consulting company Ramboll that carried out the study.

The reason for the EuroWindoor study was a European wood window disposal scenario in context of draft standard prEN 17213 (“Windows and doors – Environmental Product Declarations – Product category rules for windows and pedestrian doorsets”) where, due to lack of data, an assumption was made that 50 percent of old windows are disposed of at the landfill. “What happens to the wood after the time of use as a window or door?” In order to arrive at a result that is representative for the whole of Europe, the study considers the European legislation and the situation in nine different European reference countries (AT, CZ, DE, DK, FR, GB, IT, NL and SE).

The results of the study will be presented on October 24^th, 2018 from 11 to 12.30 h at the glasstec fair in hall 10, C18 – F18. There is a simultaneous translation in German and English. Participation is free. However, a ticket to the fair with the Daylight by EuroWindoor ticket as well as a registration via EuroWindoor at gs@eurowindoor.eu with keywords “End-of-Life Treatment”, your full name and company name is required.

On the same day and place, in the afternoon from 14 to 16 h, the conference “Daylight by EuroWindoor: Daylighting in Buildings – News on Basics and Planning” will take place. It focuses on the new European standard EN 17037 for daylight in buildings that will be published in autumn in addition to new findings from daylight research and their skilful implementation in the planning process. Speakers of the conference are the daylight standardisation expert Prof. Marc Fontoynont, who teaches in Denmark, the renowned German lighting designer Prof. Peter Andres as well as experts from the Verband Fenster + Fassade (Window and Curtain Walling Manufacturers’ Association) and the Bundesverband Flachglas (Federal Flat Glass Association). Participants can register for 49 € per person directly at the ticket shop of “glasstec”. The ticket also entitles to visit the fair.

“We also recommend that participants in the morning presentation attend the EuroWindoor afternoon conference on Daylight” commented EuroWindoor Secretary General Frank Koos. “In addition to the factual information, the participants also benefit from the ticket to the afternoon event, which allows access to the fair.”

EuroWindoor flyer for the events on the fair “glasstec” on October 24^th, 2018

[general information about the events of EuroWindoor in the section “upcoming events“]

EuroWindoor AISBL gives an update on its activities in the Newsletter 08/2018. In the first half of 2018 we worked hard on our working program (Energy Efficiency, Health and Environment, Research and Education and CE-Marking and Standardisation) to improve the situation of our sector.

The Newsletter 08/2018 of EuroWindoor AISBL has the following content:

• Pan-European study on energy savings due to window replacement showing high Energy Savings potential published by EuroWindoor
• Directive (EU) 2018/844 amending the EPBD is now published in the Official Journal
• EuroWindoor Study Tour 2018 in Germany
• EuroWindoor Directing Council meeting in Prague
• EuroWindoor Executive Board confirmed
• Status of review of the CPR
• Conference “Daylight by EuroWindoor”
• End-of-Life (EoL) Treatment of Wood

For more information please download the EuroWindoor AISBL Newsletter 08/2018 and visit the section Position papers and Publications  to find all newsletter until 2015 in the section “Newsletter”

On October 24th, 2018 EuroWindoor will host its conference “Daylight by EuroWindoor” during the „glasstec“ fair in Dusseldorf: Provision of Daylight in Buildings – state of the art and news about planning. That afternoon’s event primarily appeals to architects and representatives of the window, façade and glass industry. It focuses on the new European standard EN 17037 for daylight in buildings that will be published in autumn in addition to new findings from daylight research and their skilful implementation in the planning process.

Speakers of the conference are the daylight standardisation expert Prof. Marc Fontoynont, that teaches in Denmark, the renowned German lighting designer Prof. Peter Andres as well as experts from the Verband Fenster + Fassade (Window and Curtain Walling Manufacturers’ Association) and the Bundesverband Flachglas (Federal Flat Glass Association).

The event “Daylight by EuroWindoor” will take place on October 24^th, 2018 in context of the “glasstec” fair in Dusseldorf from 2 to 4 pm in hall 10, C18 – F18. There is a simultaneous translation in German and English. Participants can register for 49 € per person directly at the online ticket shop of the “glasstec”. The ticket also entitles you to visit the fair.

In the morning of the same day, October 24^th, 2018, EuroWindoor also presents the results of the EuroWindoor study how to deal with windows and exterior doors made of wood after the end of life (“End-of-Life Treatment”) in hall 10 from 11 am to 12.30 pm. “There is no additional charge for this event. You just need to register via EuroWindoor at gs@eurowindoor.eu with keywords “End-of-Life Treatment”, your full name and company name”, explains EuroWindoor General Secretary Frank Koos. “As that event also takes place at the exhibition centre, you need as well a fair ticket for getting access. We recommend to combine that with a “Daylight by EuroWindoor” ticket to join both events.”

Flyer”Daylight by EuroWindoor”

More information and registration

[general information about the events of EuroWindoor in the section “upcoming events”]

On March 20th, 2018, the day before the opening of the trade fair Fensterbau Frontale in Nuremberg, the previous Executive Board of EuroWindoor was unanimously re-elected for three years. The EuroWindoor leadership therefore continues to consist of President Joachim Oberrauch (Division Plastics), Vice-President Helle Carlsen Nielsen (Division Wood), Vice-President Franz Hauk (Division Metal) and unchanged Secretary General Frank Koos.

EuroWindoor consist of 17 national member associations from 13 European countries as well as one member of the company. Thus, since the founding of the European branch representation in 2015, seven new members have been joining.

Current topics of EuroWindoor’s working program are

• Upcoming revision of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR)
• Correct energetic evaluation of transparent products within the frame-work of the EU Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD)
• From 12 to 14 September 2018, EuroWindoor is conducting a study tour in the Berlin area.
• On October 24^th, 2018, EuroWindoor is organizing a forum entitled "Daylight by EuroWindoor" as part of the "glasstec conference" at Glasstec Düsseldorf.

[more information about the working program in the section "Activities” and dates in the section "Upcoming Events" ]

The wider area of Berlin will be the destination of the EuroWindoor Study Tour 2018. From September 12th to 14th, 2018 two window manufacturer, a producer of PVC profiles for windows and a wholesaler of Timber will be visited. Different to previous Study Tours all materials of the sector will be considered now in the itinerary. The guidance of the Berliner Schloss, whose rebuilding is almost completed, will be the cultural highlight of this Study Tour. The high significance of window and facade construction in architecture can be illustrated very well at this building.

After traveling to Finland in the region of Tampere in 2016, this time Berlin, Germany will be the destination. “EuroWindoor continues with the biennial organised study tours the long-term tradition of FEMIB, the association of European woodworking associations in the construction industry,” said EuroWindoor Secretary General Frank Koos. “However, after FEMIB continues its activities in EuroWindoor AISBL since the re-foundation 2015, we are now opening this journey to companies of all materials. This is the only way to improve the exchange of knowledge between the individual material divisions in EuroWindoor and to develop our overall common interests in Europe to a greater extent and to represent them more convincingly on the outside”.

The EuroWindoor Study Tour 2018 can be booked for a fee of € 680 per participant until July 6^th, 2018. Interested parties from EuroWindoor member groups can participate for the cheaper amount of 575,– Euro. Per companion in a double room the travel price is 395,– Euro. In addition to the visit program, the participation fee includes two overnight stays including breakfast and meals.

Registration deadline is July 6^th, 2018. More detailed travel information is available from Markus Christoffel of the EuroWindoor Secretariat in Frankfurt am Main. You can reach him by phone at +49 (69) 955054-36 or by e-mail at gs@eurowindoor.eu.

Download of the itinerary with all information and the registration form

[general information about the study tour on the EuroWindoor website in the section “Research and Education” / “Study Tour“]

EuroWindoor AISBL gives an update on its activities in the Newsletter 12/2017. In 2017 we were dedicated again on many items of our working program (Energy Efficiency, Health and Environment, Research and Education and CE-Marking and Standardisation). So EuroWindoor succeeded to bring relevant amendments like the items “daylight” and “healthy buildings” into the political process of the revision the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. As well for the improvement of standardization for the CPR and for environmental issues (e.g. RoHS II) we keep close contact to the European Commission to support the process.

The Newsletter 12/2017 of EuroWindoor AISBL and has the following content:

• Revision of the Energy performance of buildings directive (EPBD) – WHAT’S IN FOR WINDOWS?
• Michele Canova (European Commission, DG ENV) meets EuroWindoor to discuss implementation of RoHS II Directive for fenestration products
• BiPRO recommends RoHS II exemption request of EuroWindoor
• The recast of Construction Products Regulation (CPR) – close cooperation with DG GROW
• EuroWindoor strengthen influence of Europe in the standardisation work of ISO/TC 162
• Study on End of Life treatment of wooden doors and windows
• Appointments 2018

For more information please download the EuroWindoor AISBL Newsletter 12/2017 or visit the section Position papers and Publications.

EuroWindoor adopted in the last Directing Council meeting on July 7th, 2017 in Stockholm the Guidance Sheet KB.01: 2017-07 “Power operated Windows” .

EuroWindoor takes account, that building technology relies more and more heavily on power-operated equipment. Power operation causes a higher risk of potential hazards which need to be eliminated by appropriate precautions. This Guidance Sheet supports the manufacturer of windows and provides a code of practice with approaches to technical solutions and information on how to use power-operated windows, aiming to help making window operation safe without major risks. EuroWindoor the Guidance Sheet KB.01: 2017-07 “Power operated Windows” [Here you find all Guidance Sheets and publications]

EuroWindoor adopted in the last Directing Council meeting on March 15th, 2017 in Frankfurt the “Understanding of Specific Technical Documentation (STD)”.

The EuroWindoor document is for clarification of questions of interpretation, especially the Specific Technical Documentation (STD) described in Article 37 of the CPR. It points out that requirements of the then required STD are not sufficiently clear and leave significant scope for interpretation. From the perspective of the fenestration industry STDs must only be based on generally accepted documents, accompanied by comprehensible test reports. The table "Scenarios for valid STDs" gives a helpful overview for evaluation. EuroWindoor Understanding of Specific Technical Documentation (STD) (March 2017)  [Here you find all position papers and publications]

EuroWindoor approved in the last Directing Council meeting on March 15th, 2017 in Frankfurt its mission, vision, targets and key activities.

EuroWindoor works for its targets consistently to support the European window, door and facade (curtain walling) sector. We are cultivating a strong network for an effective exchange of information by close contact to the EU institutions, standardization organisations and other to the sector connected associations.
Read more about EuroWindoor strategic working plan here

EuroWindoor AISBL gives an update on its activities in the Newsletter 12/2016. In 2016 we worked hard to influence the revision the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and for improvement of standardization for the CPR.

The Newsletter 12/2016 of EuroWindoor AISBL and has the following content:

• EuroWindoor response to EU winter package: Don´t forget buildings are for people to live in!
• Vasco Ferreira from the EC (DG ENER) meets EuroWindoor
• CPR Implementation technical platforms
• EuroWindoor position on principles of good cooperation and improvement of effectiveness of standardization for CPR
• RoHS exemption for profiles containing recovered PVC
• Strong cooperation in the joint position to the revision of the EPBD: “Tapping the potential of windows”
• Appointments 2017

For more information please download the EuroWindoor AISBL Newsletter 12/2016 or visit the section Position papers and Publications.

Frankfurt am Main, December 20th, 2016. “Fachverband der Holzindustrie Österreichs” has been adopted with beginning of 2017 as a new member association from Austria.

“Fachverband der Holzindustrie Österreichs” is an umbrella organisation of all industrial undertakings within the woodworking sector and representing as well window, door and facade manufacturers. With “Fachverband der Holzindustrie Österreichs” EuroWindoor counts now 18 member associations from 13 European countries. For more information about the members please view this section

Frankfurt am Main, December 7th, 2016. EuroWindoor is looking forward to welcome all visitors who are interested in its work to bundle the interests of the European window, door and facade (curtain walling) sector.

Since its founding on April 28^th, 2015 in Brussels EuroWindoor was growing from 11 to 19 members and is in Europe appreciated as a competent and well connected association. There are many actual items to talk about and discuss with you at the fair “Bau 2017” in Munich. EuroWindoor is looking forward to your visit and interesting conversations on stand 507 in hall C4. Please send your suggestion for an appointment in time to gs@eurowindoor.eu.      

The fairgrounds map of “Bau 2017” in Munich

EuroWindoor welcomes the winter package of the European Commission, but fears a sole energy efficiency focus on buildings leaving out key aspects supporting healthy and comfortable living

The cheapest and cleanest energy is, no matter what, that unused and EuroWindoor welcome the Commission’s Energy Efficiency First agenda which has been reinforced by the introduction of the Winter package – with e.g. the revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). EuroWindoor fully support the proposal from the EU Commission of a binding 30 % energy efficiency target in 2030 instead of today’s non-binding target of 27 percent.
EuroWindoor is a strong supporter of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Buildings account for about 40 % of the total energy consumption in Europe and EuroWindoor therefore favours constructive improvements that will strengthen the EPBD’s contribution to the EU’s energy and climate goals.
With the revised EPBD and the implementation of the existing EPBD EuroWindoor however see a clear missing link. People spend up to 90% of their time in buildings but many existing European buildings suffer from poor daylight and indoor climate with adverse effect on health, learning abilities and productivity.
“The revised EPBD has included stronger focus on health aspects, and the importance of having a holistic approach to buildings, but it can still be further elaborated and key is the implementation in Member States legislation”, says President Joachim Oberrauch. “Increasing energy efficiency in buildings can go hand in hand with good daylight conditions and a healthy indoor environment, but only if proper attention is paid to this when setting requirements. At the moment daylight and indoor climate aspects are not very much highlighted in the EPBD and hence implemented very weakly in most Member States in national building legislations, and it is not very well integrated in the national compliance tools for energy performance evaluation.”
When it comes to un-tapping the potential of buildings and windows EuroWindoor see another missing link, as the EPBD fails to emphasize the importance of windows not only preventing heat loss, but also being providers of energy gains through the windows. Currently, Member States are regulating windows mainly by tightening the U-values (heat loss parameter), thus pushing towards more layers of glazing. However, when the effect of solar gain is left out, the real performance of a window is not reflected and this is not in line with the objectives of sustainable development or giving the right assessment of a window’s real contribution to the performance of a building envelope.
Read more about EuroWindoor’s position on the revision of EPBD here [more information about EPBD in the section " Energy Performance of Buildings of the activity "Energy efficiency”]

Frankfurt am Main, November 11th, 2016. EuroWindoor AISBL published the position on Improvement of standardization for CPR as a starting point for discussion with different actors in the standardisation process and as input to the ongoing discussions in different groups related to the standardization for CPR.

EuroWindoor members see the need of more detailed input and permanent communication during the whole process between CEN/TC, CCMC, European Commission (EC) and Member States (MS). Otherwise standards for harmonisation will always be delayed and problems with the citation of hEN will appear again and again. EuroWindoor position on principles of good cooperation and improvement of effectiveness of standardization for CPR [more information about Standardisation in the section “Standardisation" of the activity “CE-Marking and Standardisation”]

Frankfurt am Main, November 9th, 2016. EuroWindoor AISBL as a strong supporter of the EPBD requires using the energy balance approach to assess the energy performance of windows.

EuroWindoors infographic shows that energy balance based window replacement requirements are only implemented in a few EU Member States. The energy balance approach considers beside the U-Value (heat loss) as well the g-value (solar gains). The solar gains must be considered in the revision of the EPBD also for replacement. EuroWindoor Infographic on Energy balance based window replacement requirements in EU Member State[more information about EPBD in the section " Energy Performance of Buildings of the activity "Energy efficiency”]