EC Actions on IAQ

SINPHONIE Project kick-off meeting

10-12 November, REC Conference Center, Szentendre Hungary

Stylianos Kephalopoulos, EC-JRC

Presentation’s overview

1. Indoor Air Quality policy formulation in EU

2. DG SANCO’s Strategy on IAQ: objectives & implementation

3. The way forward: challenging implementation issues

4. Conclusions

1. Indoor Air Quality policy formulation in EU

Less than 10 years of recognition of IAQ as a policy relevant issue

• EU Conference on Environment and Health by EU Presidency & European Commission - Egmond aan Zee (NL) (2004)

• E&H Action Plan 2004-2010 - Action 12 on IAQ - a decisive EU policy step

• F. Ries Report and EP Resolution (2005)

• Parma Declaration on Environment and Health (May 2010)

• DG Sanco Strategy Plan on IAQ (2007-2010)

• Resolutions of High Level event on “Product Policy and Indoor Air Quality” (Sep 2010)

Parma declaration of Environment and Health (May 2010) Commitment to Act

(...)

Regional Priority Goal 3: Preventing disease through improved outdoor and indoor air quality

i. (...) We will continue and enhance our efforts to decrease the incidence of acute and chronic respiratory diseases through reduction of exposure to ultrafine particles and other particulate matter, especially from industry, transport and domestic combustion, as well as ground-level ozone, in line with WHO’s air quality guidelines. (...)

Parma declaration of Environment and Health (May 2010) Commitment to Act

Regional Priority Goal 3: Preventing disease through improved outdoor and indoor air quality

ii. We will develop appropriate cross-sectoral policies and regulations capable of making a strategic difference in order to reduce indoor pollution (...)

iii. We aim to provide each child with a healthy indoor environment in child care facilities, kindergartens, schools and public recreational settings, implementing WHO’s indoor air quality guidelines (...)

2. DG SANCO’s Strategy on IAQ: objectives & implementation

DG SANCO Strategy Plan on IAQ (2007-2010): objectives

Improve knowledgeImprove knowledge on IAQ relevant pollutants and on IAQ relevant pollutants and associated health impacts to support policy development associated health impacts to support policy development

Reduce health impactReduce health impact of key IAQ pollutants by: of key IAQ pollutants by: Reducing emissions at sourceReducing emissions at source Undertaking measures related to the building envelope Undertaking measures related to the building envelope

such as optimising building design, materials and such as optimising building design, materials and ventilation practicesventilation practices

Increase public awareness Increase public awareness about the importance of IAQ about the importance of IAQ and inform public about ways to improve IAQ in various and inform public about ways to improve IAQ in various indoor settings in EUindoor settings in EU

DG SANCO Strategy Plan on IAQ (2007-2010): implementation

IAQ Policy-Science framework and accountability loop for health impact IAQ Policy-Science framework and accountability loop for health impact assessment: assessment:

- - EnVIE (EnVIE (Co-ordination action on IAQ & Health EffectsCo-ordination action on IAQ & Health Effects) – Univ. Porto (2004-) – Univ. Porto (2004-2008) 2008)

- IAIAQ (- IAIAQ (Impact Assessment of IAQImpact Assessment of IAQ) – THL (2010)) – THL (2010)

Implementation process - stepsImplementation process - steps::

1.1. PrioritisingPrioritising of IAQ relevant pollutants Vs health effects of IAQ relevant pollutants Vs health effects

- THADE (- THADE (Towards Healthy Indoor Air in Dwellings in Europe – EFA Towards Healthy Indoor Air in Dwellings in Europe – EFA (2002-(2002-2004), 2004),

- INDEX (2005), SCHER report (2007), WHO (2008) - INDEX (2005), SCHER report (2007), WHO (2008)

2.2. Establishing guideline valuesEstablishing guideline values for key IAQ pollutants for key IAQ pollutants

- WHO IAQ on chemicals, moisture and dampness (2009-2010) - WHO IAQ on chemicals, moisture and dampness (2009-2010)

- INDEX and INDEX-UPRIC – JRC (2003-2005, 2009-2010) - INDEX and INDEX-UPRIC – JRC (2003-2005, 2009-2010)

- HEALTH-VENT (- HEALTH-VENT (Health based ventilation guidelinesHealth based ventilation guidelines) – DTU (2010-2012)) – DTU (2010-2012)

DG SANCO Strategy Plan on IAQ (2007-2010): implementationImplementation process - stepsImplementation process - steps::

3.3. MonitoringMonitoring exposure patterns Vs health effects exposure patterns Vs health effects

- INDOOR-MONIT (- INDOOR-MONIT (Harmonised criteria and protocols for monitoring Harmonised criteria and protocols for monitoring key indoor air pollutantskey indoor air pollutants) – JRC (2009-2010) ) – JRC (2009-2010)

- EPHECT (- EPHECT (Emissions, exposure patterns and health effects of Emissions, exposure patterns and health effects of consumer products in EUconsumer products in EU) – VITO (2010-2013)) – VITO (2010-2013)

4.4. Identifying & improving sourcesIdentifying & improving sources of indoor air pollution of indoor air pollution

- BUMA (- BUMA (Building materials prioritisation as indoor pollution sourcesBuilding materials prioritisation as indoor pollution sources)) - -

UoWM (2006-2009)UoWM (2006-2009)

- HEALTHY AIR (- HEALTHY AIR (Effects of building materials on indoor air quality, Effects of building materials on indoor air quality,

health and comforthealth and comfort) - TNO (2008-2010)) - TNO (2008-2010)

- Harmonisation Framework for indoor products labelling schemes in - Harmonisation Framework for indoor products labelling schemes in EU – JRC (2009-)EU – JRC (2009-)

DG SANCO Strategy Plan on IAQ (2007-2010): implementationImplementation process - stepsImplementation process - steps::

5.5. Reducing exposure patternsReducing exposure patterns of key IAQ pollutants of key IAQ pollutants

- CLEAR-UP (- CLEAR-UP (Clean and resource efficient buildings for real lifeClean and resource efficient buildings for real life) – ) – Univ. Univ. of Tübingen (2008-2012)of Tübingen (2008-2012)

- RADPAR (- RADPAR (Radon Prevention and RemediationRadon Prevention and Remediation) – UoWM (2009-2012)) – UoWM (2009-2012)

- OFFICAIR (- OFFICAIR (On the reduction of health effects from combined exposure On the reduction of health effects from combined exposure to indoor air pollutants in modern officesto indoor air pollutants in modern offices) – UoWM (2010-2013)) – UoWM (2010-2013)

DG SANCO Strategy Plan on IAQ (2007-2010): implementation

Implementation process – Vs indoor settings & vulnerable groupsImplementation process – Vs indoor settings & vulnerable groups::

Schools:Schools: - HESE ( - HESE (Health Effects of Schools EnvironmentHealth Effects of Schools Environment)) – Univ. Siena – Univ. Siena

- HESE-INT (- HESE-INT (Interventions on Health Effects of School EnvironmentInterventions on Health Effects of School Environment) – Univ. ) – Univ. SienaSiena

- EFA project (- EFA project (Indoor Air Pollution in SchoolsIndoor Air Pollution in Schools))

- BIBA (- BIBA (Indoor Air Pollution in SchoolsIndoor Air Pollution in Schools) – VITO) – VITO

- French project on Schools - OQAI- French project on Schools - OQAI

- SEARCH (- SEARCH (School environment and respiratory health of childrenSchool environment and respiratory health of children) - REC) - REC

- SINPHONIE (- SINPHONIE (Schools Indoor Pollution and Health: Observatory Network in Schools Indoor Pollution and Health: Observatory Network in

EuropeEurope) - REC) - REC

3. The way forward: challenging implementation issues

The need for a holistic approach:

There is a clear need for a holistic approach for better alignment of cross-sectoral policies, regulations and standards related to the built environment

Buildings = architecture +construction (materials+components) +systems +operation and maintenance

Cross-cutting Directives & Related Standards

• EPBD Recast (2010/../EC)

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

• CPD (89/106/EEC)

Construction Products Directive

• …..

The need for a holistic approach:

IAIAQ project: Estimates of annual increase of health benefits which could be achieved by the assessed policies and scenarios in years 2005…2020, and at the time in the future when each of these policies has been completely implemented in the entire building stock of EU-26 Annual health benefit in DALY/year*million

2 000 2 005 2 010 2 015 2 020 ∞2 000 0 30 70 100 121 4002 002 2 5 6 7 92 003 60 190 300 382 8002 007 5 10 13 202 011 8 15 30

2 011 60 116 400

2 011 90 181 600

2 011 60 116 300

2 011 100 178 3002 011 160 335 1 200

2 011 300 568 2 000

European harmionised protocols for IAQ lbling of building & indoor materials & products, Scenario 4

Ban on unflued combustion, CO detectors, regular maintenance & inspectiuon, Scenario 5

EPBD + Integration of IAQ into EPDB recast Scenario 6Integration of IAQ into EU Climt Act & Renwbl Enrg Pckg & Recast of

Energy lbl. Scenario 7

REACH (EC/1907/2006 Chemicals), Scenario 1REACH implementation with focus on IAQ, Scenario 2

CPD + Integration of EU harmonised protocols for IAQ lbl into CPD, Scenario 2

CPSD+CPD+ Integration of IAQ impacts of indoor combustion equipment into CPD&GPSD, Scenario 2

Start year

CPD (89/106/EEC Construction Products), Scenario 1GPSD (2001/95/EC General Product Safety), Scenario 1

EPBD (2002/91/EC Energy Performance of Buildings), Scenario 1

Existing or proposed EU-regulation and respective IAIAQ scenario

Most of the processes are slow Only few policies could reach as much as half of their potentials by 2020; others only one fourth More than half of the DALYs lost today due to indoor air exposures could ultimately be prevented by the assessed policies.

Promotion of the holistic approach:

Promoted by the Belgian Presidency by the High Level event on

“Product Policy and Indoor Air Quality”, 23-24 Sept 2010 and included in the final conclusions which were forwarded to the Council for endorsement in Dec 2010

To set up a horizontal framework addressing and supporting the coordination of policies relevant for indoor air quality. The following parties should be involved at least: Commission services (DG ENTR, DG ENV, DG SANCO, DG ENER, DG RTD, DG JRC) ; Member State representatives; scientists and stakeholders from industry and NGO’s. This framework must also be built in coherence with the existing policy tools (e.g: Reach, Ecodesign Directive, EPBD, Ecolabel regulation, etc).

To prepare a Green or White paper on IAQ to support: (a) policy decisions based on a realistic view and public IAQ related health targets and make projections on impact changes due to implementation of EC and EU MS policies (e.g., implementation of EPBD); (b) the definition of policy objectives on indoor air quality standards, linked with regulatory instruments (e.g. emission standards for building and consumer products or minimal ventilation requirements)

Implementation of the holistic approach:

JRC Task Force on “Safe, Healthy, Energy Efficient and Sustainable buildings”

What is it for?: An instrument intended to facilitate the setting up and implementation of a holistic approach for cross-sectoral policies, standards and regulations related to the construction sector (i.e. Sustainable buildings, Green Buildings, Energy efficiency, Healthy, Safety) with the aim of involving under a common ‘umbrella’ as many strategic partners and stakeholders affected as possible via a flexible structure which will allow to elaborate options and underpin incentives and measures at both research and policy levels in a more co-ordinated and efficient way.

Five JRC institutes (i.e., IPSC, IHCP, IE, IES and IPTS) in close liaison with the EC services concerned (i.e., DGs ENTR, SANCO, ENV and ENER) will ensure a smooth “bi-directional” approach which would allow the elaboration of science-based policy options with focus on streamlining the harmonization of existing regulations and alignment of cross-cutting policies related to the built environment.

Implementation of the holistic approach:

JRC Task Force on “Safe, Healthy, Energy Efficient and Sustainable buildings”

Focus on key challenges and policies: Lead Market in construction, new Construction Products Regulation (CPR), Energy 20-20-20, Environmental Sustainability, Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC), Energy Performance of Building Directive – EPBD (2002/91/EC), EC Lead Market Initiative (COM(2007)860), Integrated Product Policy (IPP), Chemical Policy (REACH), Green Public Procurement, Thematic Strategy on Urban Environment (COM(2004)60), Integration of Environmental Aspects into European Standardisation (COM(2004)206), Sustainable Industrial Policy, Thematic Strategy on Waste and Recycling.

4. Conclusions

A strategy to improve IAQ and associated health effects A strategy to improve IAQ and associated health effects should be should be comprehensive comprehensive and able to increase synergies and able to increase synergies and progressively integrate aspects among cross-cutting and progressively integrate aspects among cross-cutting policy areas and to build on relevant existing legislation.policy areas and to build on relevant existing legislation.

The efficient implementation of IAQ strategy in EU relies The efficient implementation of IAQ strategy in EU relies heavily on the clear involvement and heavily on the clear involvement and commitment of of allall partners and stakeholders concerned.partners and stakeholders concerned.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

Let’s work together

For a healthier, safer, energy efficient and sustainable built environment