REHVA addressing European Policy related to EPBD and IEQ and their national implementation

The focus of this issue is on European policy in relation to the EPBD implementation. Apart from the several technical articles highlighting this implementation issue, attention is given to the REHVA Brussel Summit at pages 64–65. The summit program is about implementing the EPBD, IEQ, affordability and finance for zero-emission buildings.

Considering the guidance documents as published by the EU Commission 30 June 2025 and the ongoing discussions in EU Member States on the implementation of the EPBD, several articles are included. These very interesting contributions will help the REHVA community to play proactive role in this implementation process at national level. Issues like total primary Energy, IEQ parameters and the future of fossil fuel boilers are addressed. 

REHVA undersigned the "Global Pledge for Healthy Indoor Air" which is an international commitment signed by over 150 organizations to recognize clean indoor air as a fundamental human right. Launched at the United Nations during the 80th UN General Assembly in September 2025, the pledge encourages governments, businesses, and civil society to monitor and improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ), report transparently on progress, and adopt science-based standards to address health issues linked to poor indoor air, such as respiratory diseases and cognitive impairment.

Climate adaptation: looking ahead we have to adapt our buildings and HVAC systems to make them resilient, given the current and future climate change. Not only for new building designs but even more important for the existing buildings stock which has to be renovated to meet the zero carbon emission targets. The article “Consequences of future climate for the building stock” addresses this issue.

REHVA launched the EU Policy Advocacy Group (EUPAG) with the primary aim of amplifying REHVA’s influence on EU policies, including the EPBD and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Several publications are available at the REHVA website. One of them is the “For sustainable, healthy and affordable buildings- the “2050 ready building” pact”[1], which is currently available in six European languages.

Following this line, REHVA Journal started to included one page column articles on topical policy issues.