The Informal Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Gathering is pleased to welcome the release of the European Commission’s transposition guidelines on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). We wholeheartedly endorse the Commission’s strong inclusion of IEQ provisions, which underscore the critical role indoor environments play in ensuring the health, comfort, and wellbeing of building occupants.  

  As a collaborative network of experts, organizations, and advocates for healthy buildings, we recognize the importance of these guidelines in supporting Member States to effectively transpose IEQ requirements into national regulations. The guidance provides much-needed clarity and ambition, outlining optimal approaches for assessing and regulating indoor environmental conditions based on parameters such as:  

• Indoor temperature
• Humidity
• Ventilation rates
• Presence of indoor pollutants and contaminants  

We believe that additional parameters such as lighting should have been included in the scope of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in both the EPBD and these guidelines. We note that Member States may go beyond the established list and strongly encourage them to include lighting, given its significant impact on comfort, health, and productivity. 

These elements are central to creating and maintaining healthy indoor environments, and we commend the Commission for highlighting their relevance in the broader energy performance framework.  

 We are particularly encouraged by the commitment shown in the guidelines, reflecting growing recognition that energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing must go hand-in-hand. High-performing buildings are not only energy-efficient — they must also be supportive of human health, safe and comfortable.  

 Together with our partners in the Informal IEQ Gathering, we will continue to work collaboratively to ensure these IEQ provisions are heard, understood, and applied in the most ambitious way at the national level across the EU. As the focus shifts toward implementation, we remain committed to monitoring progress, sharing knowledge, and supporting all efforts that prioritize healthy indoor environments in line with climate and energy goals.  

 We invite all stakeholders to explore the full guidelines and engage with us as we continue to advocate for better indoor conditions in Europe’s buildings.  

 We extend our sincere thanks to all members of the Informal IEQ Gathering for their continued collaboration and dedication to this important work. Your expertise and partnership are essential as we collectively strive for healthier, more sustainable buildings across Europe.  

 All above mentioned documents are available on the REHVA EU Policy- Advocacy Group Sharepoint and MS Teams Channel. 

If you want to be kept updated on the most relevant news on EU legislation and actively engage in policy advocacy actions under the REHVA umbrella, you can contact fr(at)rehva.eu or info(at)rehva.eu