EPEE Has a New Chairman

EPEE has a new Chairman Towards sustainable refrigeration, cooling and heating solutions

Brussels – October 2010: Since September 21, the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE), representing the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry in Europe, has a new Chairman. The Steering Committee voted unanimously for Kjeld Staerk, Danfoss, headquartered in Denmark, to assume this important position.

Andrea Voigt, EPEE’s Director General welcomes the outcome of the vote: “By electing Kjeld as our new Chairman, the Steering Committee reaffirms EPEE’s European origin and programmatic goals.”

EPEE and its members are determined to reduce the global climate impact of refrigeration, air conditioning and heating systems by supporting energy efficient, environmentally and economically viable and safe technologies. To achieve this ambitious goal, the association is actively involved in the European regulatory process such as the ecodesign directive and its implementing measures, the F-Gas Regulation and its revision, the renewable energies directive, WEEE & RoHS and many more.

Kjeld Staerk looks forward to the new challenge: “This is an exciting time for our industry and we have a great opportunity to move further towards sustainable refrigeration, cooling and heating solutions. EPEE member companies have enormous technological potential and are committed to actively reduce the global climate impact of our products. EPEE ensures that our industry’s voice is united and strong and that it will be heard and taken into account at the European political level.”

Three questions to Kjeld Staerk:

1/ What is EPEE’s role in Europe, especially regarding interactions with national associations?

First of all it is important to understand that EPEE is mainly composed of company members. This makes us very efficient and reactive which is extremely important when working with the European institutions. We are based in Brussels and have a clear focus on the EU regulatory process affecting the HVACR industry. At the same time, because of the importance of member states in EU decision making, EPEE is committed to working closely with national associations because of the complimentary role of EPEE in Europe and the national associations in the member states. As such, we complement each other and our respective roles are clearly defined.

1 2/ What are your priorities for the coming months?

The revision of the F-Gas regulation is certainly one of EPEE’s main priorities. Our industry has a great opportunity here to reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions. As EPEE, we have developed a position paper with constructive proposals to increase the regulation’s efficiency. Increased awareness at end-user level, stricter control mechanisms and harmonized certification across Europe are only some of the issues we mention. Another priority is energy efficiency, especially on the background of the current revision of the energy efficiency action plan. Indeed, at European level, it is currently being discussed whether the requirement to increase energy efficiency by 20% should become legally binding. Whether this will happen or not: EPEE member companies are committed to increase the energy efficiency of their products and our industry has great potential to help the EU in achieving its goal.

3/ Do you believe that there will be a phase-down of HFCs?

The US, Canada, Mexico and Micronesia are advocating for a phase-down of HFCs based on their global warming potential (GWP). The EU needs to take into account the global developments and Philip Owen, head of unit in DG Climate Action only recently pointed out at EPEE’s EcoCool Conference in Budapest that a phase down of HFCs under the Montreal Protocol would represent a “sectoral opportunity providing regulatory and environmental certainty”. EPEE would welcome an orderly phase-down of HFCs provided that it takes into account the technical and economical reality, feasibility, and the availability of appropriate alternative refrigerants.

Notes to the Editor:

The European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE), represents the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump industry in Europe. Founded in the year 2000, EPEE’s membership is composed of 40 member companies and national associations across Europe realising a turnover of over 30 Billion Euros and employing more than 200,000 people in Europe. As an expert association EPEE is supporting safe, environmentally and economically viable technologies with the objective to promote a better understanding of the sector in the EU and to contribute to the development of effective European policies.

For more information please visit: www.epeeglobal.org