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European Hygienic Engineering & Design GroupNews from the TreasurerPiet Steenaard, Dr. Catzlaan 19, NL-1261 CE Blaricum, e-mail: steenaard@kpnmail.nlApart from covering our administration costs, the positiveincome was partly used for giving the growing number ofexperts the possibility of joining Subgroup meetings andEHEDG congresses. In most cases we have been able tofund the attendance of Subgroup members without nancialback-up from a company or institute.At the end of each year, all Regional and Subgroup Chairmenare asked to send in their activity and budget planning for theyear to come and if in need of nancial support for upcomingEHEDG activities, we have approved most inquiries in thepast. Resulting from the growing number of Subgroups andRegions, about 50 regular EHEDG meetings plus many localevents, workshops and training courses are held annually.From a nancial point of view, the period 2011 - 2012was successful for the EHEDG. It was characterised byan increase in income thanks to a signicant growth inmembership and by more revenues from certication. On theother hand, as company members benet from downloadingthe guidelines free-of-charge from the EHEDG website,document sales have been decreasing at the same time.Institutes have been offered an advantageous membershipfee and since then, the EHEDG has gained more universitiesand institutions. This increase helps to strengthen thescientic recognition of the EHEDG. As a result, we are nowin a position to involve more scientists into the developmentof our state-of-the-art guidelines, along with our experts frommechanical engineering with their essential know-how. Manyinstitutes adopt and organise our regional activities andthey translate the EHEDG guidelines and our website intothe local languages. They are active in various Subgroupsand hold seminars and workshops to disseminate EHEDGknowledge.The EHEDG Subgroups are ideally composed of mechanicalengineers, microbiologists, food producers and academia.However, sometimes it is not easy to nd the right expertswho can jointly provide the well-balanced and comprehensiveknow-how on the topic in question. Therefore, active expertinput and EHEDG Subgroup participation on behalf of allrelated industries is always highly welcome – as long as itis considered on a basis of give-and-take. The EHEDG canoffer many benets to the industry if it actively joins our workcompanies are offered the opportunity to feed their interestsinto the discussion and they can provide inuence on settingglobal standards by actively contributing to the Subgroupwork. EHEDG helps to enhance the reputation of its membercompanies and makes them knowledge leaders in hygienicdesign and processing.Most companies encourage and support their employeesto participate in EHEDG activities, so they can develop orrevise guidelines, training material and test methods forequipment. We are thankful to all these companies for theircontinued support.In recent years, we brought all our Chairmen together onthe occasion of our annual Plenary Meetings to provideupdated information from EHEDG International, enhancenetworking and cooperation in our fast growing organisationand offer them an opportunity for experience exchange andnetworking.EHEDG participation in international exhibitions helps toestablish the new relationships and to expand our networkand we invite you to visit us on the occasion of e.g. Drinktec,Anuga FoodTec and other important events.We are interlinking more than 200 companies and 30academic institutions. To date, about 1,000 persons havejoined the EHEDG and more than 350 experts are activelyinvolved in our Subgroup work. They are aiming to developstate-of-the art documents and teaching aids for hygienicallydesigned machinery and equipment as well as for safe foodproduction processes. Any new members are welcome inorder to keep up this good work.It was an honour and a pleasure to take care of the EHEDGnances and to work with such highly committed people.Piet SteenaardEHEDG Treasurer