Annual Report GCI UICP - ceetb

06/07 

Annual Report 

GCI UICP

Table of Contents 

02 CEETB in short 

04 Foreword by the President 

05 Introduction 

06 Political campaigns 

06 Opening of energy markets 

08 Energy efficiency 

10 New and renewable sources of 

energy 

12 Environment 

12 Internal Market and contractual 

matters 

14 Technical matters 

15 Information policy 

16 Other activities 

16 AIE GCI-UICP Annual congress 

18 Committees and working groups 

20 AIE 

27 GCI-UICP 

34 Annex 

35 Participation in EU advisory 

groups 

36 Position papers 

37 Members of the CEETB and 

GCI-UICP Boards of 

administration 

and the AIE Management 

Committee 

41 CEETB Member Associations 

ANNUAL REPORT 2006 / 07

CEETB in Short 

CEETB in figures: 

The CEETB was founded in 1976 as the joint 

European association of electrical, heating, 

air conditioning, ventilation and plumbing 

contractors. 

Through its 27 membership countries, the 

CEETB represents about 450,000 specialist 

building contractors with 2,400,000 employees 

in the European Union and beyond. The overall 

turnover of these companies represents, 

within the EU, about EUR 200 billion. 

Specialist contractors represent one quarter 

of the turnover in the entire field and 31% of 

that of the building sector. For certain projects, 

the technical equipping of buildings represents 

50% or more of the total project costs. 

From the traditional “installer” to the 

modern “technical contractor” 

Over the past decades, the traditional 

“installers” have significantly extended 

their field of activities and developed into 

specialist contractors offering not only the 

installation of technical equipment, but a 

whole package of highly complex services in 

the areas of building comfort and end-use 

efficiency. 

2 CEETB | AIE | GCI-UICP 

It should be noted that the share of installation 

works in the total turnover is steadily 

decreasing while energy-related services 

such as energy audits of buildings, energy 

certification of buildings, energy advice 

services and energy supply are becoming 

increasingly important. Furthermore, the 

share of energy services in total activities 

varies considerably according to the size of 

the contractor and the country. 

Promoters of end-use efficiency 

Technical contractors have become major 

promoters of end-use efficiency of both 

energy and water. Unlike other partners in 

the supply chain, technical contractors 

have a commercial interest in reducing 

resource consumption. Thanks to their 

direct contacts to private and commercial 

clients, they are in a position to actively 

promote energy efficient equipment and to 

maintain its performance level through 

regular inspection and maintenance. In most 

Member States, technical contractors are 

qualified to do energy checks of buildings and 

advise end-users on the most economical 

solution.

Promoters of renewable sources of 

energy 

Technical contractors also have become 

important players in the field of renewable 

sources of energy. Again their direct contacts 

with end-users and their capacity to assess 

the energy performance of buildings, 

enables them to raise the awareness of endusers 

on renewable sources of energy and 

public incentive programmes. 

Today, technical contractors install and 

maintain solar thermal and photovoltaic 

systems, biomass boilers, heat pumps and 

others. Moreover, they are actively involved in 

pilot projects for fuel cells. 

At the forefront of new technologies 

End-use efficiency and comfort can also be 

increased though “intelligent” buildings, in 

which all individual components of house and 

building technology are no longer isolated but 

linked together. Technical contractors are 

actively involved in awareness raising 

campaigns and will play a major part in the 

construction of such “Smart-houses”. 

High training and qualification 

requirements to face challenges 

The wide range of activities described above, 

requires vocational training and professional 

qualification systems, which are constantly 

updated to include the best available technologies. 

This requires permanent efforts 

from the technical contractors and their 

staff. Additional qualifications / certificates 

are usually required to be allowed to offer 

specific services such as energy audits and 

energy advice. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2006 / 07 3

Foreword by the President 

Dear colleagues and friends, 

I have the honour and the pleasure to present 

the CEETB annual report for the first time. 

And it is the second joint report with the AIE 

and GCI-UICP following the excellent initiative 

of my predecessor Jan Heeres in 2005. 

The events of 2006 have confirmed our vision 

that GCI-UICP and AIE share many ideas 

which should be jointly promoted towards the 

European institutions. Personally, I have 

always been convinced that the strong 

complementary character of our professions 

will encourage our enterprises to offer a 

« complete service » around technical 

building systems in the very near future. It 

should be the mission of our members, 

electrical and mechanical contractors, to 

become energy savings specialists. 

If we do not succeed in combining in our 

member businesses electrical and mechanical 

engineering skills to respond to increasing 

client demands at this stage, it may be 

interesting to take the initiative and establish 

a “temporary grouping” of our professions 

and other finishing trades such as joiners and 

insulation contractors. 

The real challenge is to offer a complete 

service to the client who wants to have one 


single point of contact. The reason for this is 

more of a technical than an economic nature. 

We need “general practitioners” to make the 

building as a whole function properly. By 

controlling these of activities, the installer is 

able to enter the business of inspection, 

operation and maintenance. We believe that 

this represents a new state of mind: the 

building site is no longer an account unit but 

the client. 

You may tell me now that this is nothing new. 

I agree. However, we now have to transform 

our enterprises in this sense. Otherwise we 

might disappear from the market or be taken 

over by large groups which have already 

adapted to the new requirements and 

developed new services. 

Dear colleagues, I am convinced that the year 

2007 will be as exiting as the previous ones in 

terms of new directives and standards for our 

industry. The efforts undertaken at national 

level and the European Union to reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions, open energy 

markets and save energy need to be 

strengthened even further to meet the 

requirements. Nevertheless, they offer to our 

member businesses an important strategy 

and interesting markets which are far from 

negligible. 

We will have to increase the level of our 

activities further in order to effectively 

accomplish our mission: defending the 

interests of our professions. 

I wish you all the best for another successful 

year. 

Jean Rougnon

Introduction 

This is the second joint annual report of CEETB 

and its members AIE and GCI-UICP. It summarises 

relevant European developments and 

provides details of the political and technical 

activities of CEETB, AIE and GCI-UICP. 

Increasing influence of European 

legislation 

More than ever, European legislation interferes 

with the daily business of our members 

no matter whether they work Europe-wide or 

locally. One should be careful not to condemn 

this development from the start, as some 

issues can objectively be dealt with more 

efficiently at EU level. Some of them may 

provide new opportunities to our members, 

while others are likely to add to the administrative 

burden our member businesses have 

to cope with. Over the past twelve months, a 

number of important European rules have 

been adopted including the following: 

• directive on energy end-use efficiency and 

energy services 

• regulation on certain fluorinated greenhouse 

gases 

• regulation on driving times and digital 

tachographs 

• directive on services in the Internal Market 

• communication on the application of the 

posting of workers directive 

• communication on low-value public contracts 

• agreement on reduced VAT rates on labourintensive 

services 

Our response must be a strong involvement 

in the most relevant initiatives to make sure 

that new European rules are proportional, 

non-discriminatory and take account of our 

members’ interests. Without any doubt, the 

CEETB achieved a number of very positive 

results in the past year, some of which will be 

explained in more detail in this report. 

Standardisation: the new challenge 

Over the past years, European standardisation 

has experienced an unprecedented boost. 

Whilst in the past, standards were mainly 

relating to products, new work items 

increasingly cover services, systems and 

qualifications. The linkage of these standards 

to European legislation or the market itself 

make standards quasi mandatory in practice. 

The standardisation process takes place in 

addition to the normal political work and 

requires the establishment of a separate area 

of activity. Hence, the participation in the 

drafting process depends on the availability 

of significant financial resources as well as 

technical and language skills. This represents 

an enormous challenge for the CEETB and its 

members. 

Current and future work items include the 

following standardisation work: 

• Standards relating to the energy performance 

of buildings 

• Standards and technical reports relating 

to the environmental performance of 

buildings 

• Standard on the definition and qualification 

of energy service companies 

• Standard on “investment grade” energy 

audits 

• Exploring standardisation needs for green 

and white certificates 

• Standards relating to the implementation 

measures under the eco-design directive 

• Framework standard for professional 

qualifications 

There is a difficult trade-off to make between 

the limited availability of resources and the 

need to make sure that new standards are 

non-discriminatory and easy to apply. It is 

encouraging to see that our involvement in 

CEN and CENELEC technical committees 

has been strengthened substantially over the 

past months. Specialist engineering contractors 

now also have a strong voice in this area 

of European policy. 


Political Campaigns 

The CEETB defended the interests of members 

in a number of important political issues. 

Most of them were linked to energy efficiency, 

renewables and the environment. 

Opening of energy markets 

Directive on energy end-use efficiency 

and energy services (2006/32/EC) 

After three years of discussion, Parliament 

and Council finally adopted this important 

directive in April 2006. The main goals 

include the development of the market for 

energy services and energy audits and the 

removal of all mechanisms that might 

stimulate higher energy consumption. 

The directive introduces an indicative energy 

end-use savings target of 9 % over 9 years 

during the 2008-2017 period. Member States 

will have to submit national energy efficiency 

plans in which they define the measures to 

achieve the savings targets. The first action 

plan is due in June 2007. 

In order to measure energy saving through 

indicators and benchmarking, the Commission 

must develop a system common to 

all Member States. 

The public sector will have to set an example 

and develop guidelines aimed at making 

energy efficiency an assessment criterion for 

the award of public contracts. 


CEETB action: 

The CEETB had been involved in the political 

discussions from the very beginning. It was 

therefore noted with satisfaction that the final 

version takes account of most of CEETB’s 

demands: 

Cost recovery and free audit requirements for 

energy distributors were not reinstated; 

• Energy services does no require energy 

supply; 

• National systems must guarantee independent 

energy (efficiency) service providers, 

including installers, a level playing field; 

• Energy distributors are not automatically 

required to provide energy services; 

After the directive’s adopted, the CEETB used 

numerous occasions to promote the position of 

specialist engineering contractors in this 

emerging market. They included the 

Parliament’s hearing on energy policy (12 

September 2006) and the meeting of 29 

November 2006 of the Parliament’s Energy for 

SME group. 

The CEETB working group on Deregulation 

and Energy Services drafted a detailed todo-list 

for national associations to accompany 

the national implementation process. 

The CEETB will be invited to the 

Commission advisory committee monitoring 

the directive’s implementation. 

Energy service companies (ESCO’s) 

Both the directive on energy end-use efficiency 

and energy services and the European 

Energy Efficiency Action Plan, published in 

October 2006, emphasise the role of ESCO’s 

in accelerating the implementation of energy 

efficiency measures. Over the coming years, 

the European Commission will try to facilitate 

third-party financing arrangements through 

global loans to national banks. A significant 

number of CEETB member businesses have 

the qualifications and the capacity to offer 

energy services. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB pressed the European decision 

makers to keep the ESCO definition in the 

directive on energy end-use efficiency and

energy services as flexible as possible and to 

avoid any requirement to supply energy. Both 

were achieved in the directive’s final version. 

Discussions on this subject took place in the 

CEETB Secretaries General Committee and 

the CEETB working group on Deregulation and 

Energy Services. The latter drafted a number 

of recommendations as to how national associations 

should support their member businesses 

in this new market. 

The GCI-UICP participates in the CEN/CEN- 

ELEC taskforce 189, which is developing a 

definition and qualification criteria for energy 

service companies (see GCI-UICP Technical 

working group). These activities are closely 

co-ordinated with CEETB and AIE. 

The Commission is considering official support 

of this standardisation work through a mandate. 

The CEETB urged DG TREN to make sure 

that, if a mandate was issued, it must insist on 

a level playing field for independent service 

providers and a non-restrictive ESCO definition. 

White certificates 

Tradable white (or energy efficiency) certificates 

schemes have been introduced in Italy 

(2005) and in France (2006). Comparable 

systems exist in a number of other countries, 

including the UK. The European Commission 

will examine in 2008 whether a European 

white certificate scheme is both feasible and 

desirable. 

Whilst it is too early to assess the effects 

on specialist engineering contractors, one 

can conclude that the Italian system is not 

really stimulating the market for energy 

efficiency services. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB asked for open market access for 

independent energy service providers and a 

ban of cost recovery for the obliged actors in a 

number of political events including the 

European Climate Change Programme 

(Review) on 25 January 06 and the Intelligent 

Energy for SMEs Forum of 9-10 November 06. 

The CEETB Secretaries General Committee 

and the CEETB working group on Deregulation 

and Energy Services assessed the situation. 

Discussions took also place with a Commission 

sponsored project called EuroWhiteCert, 

which is developing the outlines of a European 

white certificate system. The CEETB participates 

in this project as observer and attended 

the annual project conference. 

The CEETB will reconsider the situation on the 

basis of more detailed information from Italy 

and France. 

Competition on energy markets 

European rules require the complete opening 

of electricity and gas markets by July 2007. In 

practice however, many national markets 

continue to be dominated by a small number 

of oligopolistic distributors. This can also 

negatively affect specialist engineering 

contractors. 

In its Communication on an Energy Policy for 

Europe, published on 10 January 07, the 

European Commission calls for a more 

effective unbundling between energy production 

and distribution and stronger national 

regulators and / or more regulatory powers at 

EU level. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB Secretaries General committee 

decided to look into the functioning of the 

national energy markets and draw conclusions 

for further policy measures. In 2006, the Italian, 

German, Finnish and Spanish markets were 

analysed. 

The CEETB working group on the opening of 

energy markets and energy services is currently 

developing a position calling for complete 

ownership unbundling of energy generation 

and distribution and the establishment of 

strong and independent national regulators 

co-operating closely at EU level. 


Energy efficiency 

Energy efficiency of buildings 

The Directive on the energy performance of 

buildings (2002/91/EC) introduces, among 

others, building performance requirements, 

energy passports for buildings and regular 

inspection schemes for boilers and air conditioning 

systems above a certain rated output. 

Theoretically, the rules had to be transposed 

into national law by January 2006. In practice 

however, only a small number of Member 

States met the deadline. Consequently, the 

European Commission launched infringement 

procedures against 14 Member States. 

The European Energy Efficiency Action Plan 

provided first indications as to the directive’s 

review in 2009. It will include smaller buildings, 

European minimum efficiency requirements 

for buildings and measures to promote 

passive houses. 


CEETB action: 

Through a dedicated working group (see 

CEETB WG on the Buildings directive), the 

CEETB has actively accompanied the implementation 

process through the following 

measures: 

• The CEETB participates in the "Energy 

Demand Management Committee" 

managed by DG Transport and Energy. 

This standing committee brings together 

representatives of national governments 

and some industry observers including 

CEETB. 

• Specialist engineering contractors are 

involved in the drafting process of 

accompanying standards (see GCI-UICP 

Technical working group). 

• Coinciding with the official implementation 

date, the CEETB published a declaration, 

signed along with seven other European 

industry associations and calling for 

immediate transposition. The declaration 

also invited the legislator to extent the 

directive’s scope by including smaller 

buildings, smaller boilers and lighting 

systems. 

• The CEETB reacted to contradictory 

interpretations of article 10 of the directive 

(“independent experts”). It drafted an argumentation 

paper explaining why building 

auditors should be allowed to implement 

the efficiency improvement measures 

they propose and why they should also be 

authorised to inspect boilers and air conditioning 

systems if the end-user wishes so. 

The arguments were presented to the 

Commission in January 2007 and are 

currently being examined. 

• In spring 2006, the CEETB finalised a second 

survey on the national implementation 

process. The survey revealed the strong 

involvement of most member businesses in 

the practical application as well as significant 

differences in the national qualification 

requirements for auditors and inspectors. 

• The joint AIE GCI-UICP congress dedicated 

a panel session to the implementation of 

the directive. 

• In December 2006, the CEETB joint the 

European Buildings platform, a dedicated 

forum, sponsored by the European 

Commission and promoting the exchange 

of best practice in this area. 

AIE GCI-UICP Congress: 

Penal on the Buildings directive 

(Oliver Loebel, CEETB, Jürgen Diehl, BHKS, 

Flemming Preisler, Tekniq, Jim O’Neil, ECA)

Energy efficiency Action Plan 

The European Commission launched in 

spring 05 a wide consultation on the Green 

Paper on Energy Efficiency. 

In October 2006, the European Commission 

presented its Energy Efficiency Action Plan. 

With this plan, the Commission wants to 

achieve the ambitious target of 20% energy 

savings by 2020. If successful, the EU could 

save more than 100 billion Euros per year. The 

Energy Efficiency Action Plan will be implemented 

over a period of six years. More than 

75 actions were identified in ten priority areas 

including: 

• new energy performance standards for 

different product groups such as boilers, 

lighting and consider EU-wide white 

certificate system; 

• new energy standards for buildings, 

including smaller buildings in the EPBD 

and promoting low energy buildings 

(“passive houses”) (2008-9); 

• making power generation and distribution 

more efficient; 

• facilitate bank financing for investments 

in energy efficiency by SMEs and ESCO’s; 

• boosting efficiency in new member states; 

• coherent use of taxation; 

• awareness and education campaigns. 

CEETB action: 

In autumn 2005, the CEETB had submitted 

a detailed response to the European 

Commission consultation. Further discussions 

with DG Transport and Energy (TREN) took 

place in May 2006. 

On the request of DG TREN, the CEETB 

submitted a number of proposals relating to 

awareness raising measures in June 2006. 

On 22 June 2006, the CEETB was interviewed 

as part of the Commission’s impact assessment 

procedures. Although less ambitious than 

some had hoped, the action plan includes a 

number of key demands from the CEETB 

regarding the energy performance of buildings, 

ESCO financing and awareness raising 

measures. 

Framework directive on the 

eco-design of energy-using products 

Directive 2005/32/EC was adopted in 2005. It 

will fix minimum ecological requirements, 

including energy efficiency, for a wide range 

of energy-using products based on a cradle to 

grave approach. As the first implementation 

step, the European Commission commissioned 

a study into whether and which ecodesign 

requirements should be set for a particular 

product. This study should provide the 

necessary information to prepare for the next 

phases, which are the impact assessment, 

the consultation of the Eco-design Forum 

and a possible drafting of implementing 

measures through the European standardization 

bodies. 

The study includes the following product 

groups: Boilers, water heaters, office lighting, 

street lighting, residential room conditioning 

appliances, electric motors and commercial 

refrigerators and freezers. 

CEETB action: 

Given the fact that the eco-design criteria will 

include the installation and servicing phase, 

CEETB member businesses are also indirectly 

concerned. The CEETB therefore applied for 

a place on the Eco-Design Advisory Forum. 

The application was accepted in summer 2006. 

The work of the group will start in spring 2007. 

Furthermore the CEETB participated in the 

stakeholder meeting organised by the 

European Commission on 21 November 2006. 

European climate change 

programme – phase II 

The ECCP was established by DG 

Environment in 2000 and paved the way for a 

number of important European initiatives 

including the directives on the energy efficiency 

of buildings and the energy services 

directive. In autumn 2005, the Commission 

launched the second phase of the ECCP. The 

final report was presented in July 2006 and 

provided input to the drafting of the EU 

Energy Efficiency Action Plan. 


European Sustainable Energy Forum 

This forum is a joint initiative of DG Transport 

and Energy and the Dutch Economic ministry. 

It brings together government representatives 

and a small number of NGO’s and 

industry representatives. Its mission is to 

develop recommendations on the EU’s energy 

policy in the field of renewable energy 

sources and energy efficiency. 

New and renewable sources 

of energy 

Heating and cooling from renewable 

sources of energy 

Almost 50 % of the final energy consumption 

in Europe is used for heating needs of buildings, 

for domestic hot water production and 

for heating in industrial processes. In 2005, 

the CEETB had co-signed a declaration of 


CEETB action: 

The CEETB was invited to participate in the 

review of the ECCP I results. Meetings took 

place on 25 January 06, 23 February 06 and 2 

May 006. The CEETB used this forum for discussions 

on the future revision of the Energy 

performance of buildings directive, white 

certificates and a level playing field for 

independent energy efficiency services 

providers. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB participates in this forum through 

UEAPME. The meetings of 24-25 April 2006 and 

21-22 November 06 mainly focused on the EU 

Energy Efficiency Action Plan and the EU 

strategy on renewable sources of energy. The 

CEETB pressed the decision makers to agree 

on an ambitious directive to promote heating 

and cooling from renewable energy sources. It 

also emphasised the necessity of binding 

sectoral targets for renewables so as to allow 

the development of coherent policy measures. 

about 40 European and national organisations 

called “Joint Declaration for a European 

Directive to Promote Renewable Heating and 

Cooling – 25 % of the EU heating and cooling 

supply by renewables in 2020”. 

The Parliament took up most of these 

recommendations and adopted an ambitious 

own-initiative report in this matter in 

February 2006. The report invited the 

European Commission to present a draft 

directive. 

On 10 January 07, the Commission announced, 

for 2007, the presentation of a “renewables 

legislative package”, which would include a 

binding 20 % target for the share of renewables 

in the EU’s overall mix by 2020. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB actively accompanied the decision 

making process in the Parliament. On 8 

February 06, the CEETB participated as 

expert in a press conference organised by 

MEP Peter Liese. A number of national member 

organisations directly requested the support 

from their MEP’s for a strong resolution. The 

CEETB also attended the European 

Parliament hearing on Biomass of 2 June 2006. 

After the adoption of the Parliament resolution, 

the focused shifted to the European 

Commission and the Member States. The 

CEETB used the EU Sustainable Energy 

Council and the European Climate Change 

Programme to promote the benefits of this 

initiative. Furthermore, the CEETB was 

received by Commissioner Verheugen on this 

topic on 27 March 06. 

In September 2006, the CEETB submitted 

detailed comments in response to a stakeholder 

consultation launched by the European 

Commission. 

In a position paper published in February 2007, 

the CEETB called on Member States and the 

European Parliament to support a binding 

target of at least 20 % for the share of 

renewable energy sources (electricity, 

heating, cooling, biofuels) in the total energy 

mix by 2020.

Action plan for environmental 

technologies 

Following the adoption of the Commission 

Communication on "Developing an action plan 

for environmental technology" COM(2003) 

131 final, a number of dedicated technology 

platforms were established to provide common 

forums for research, industry and policy 

and promote innovation in particular areas. 

All platforms have to prepare a “Vision paper” 

for the year 2030 and a “Strategic research 

agenda” to meet the 2030 targets. The CEETB 

is involved in four of these platforms. 

Participation is also envisaged in a fifth 

platform currently under creation and dealing 

with solar thermal. 

Photovoltaic 

The CEETB participates in this platform 

through the AIE. The latter is a member of the 

Steering Committee and of the Market 

Deployment working group. 

More details are available in the AIE section 

of this report. 

The CEETB attended the general assembly of 

the Photovoltaic Platform on 19 May 2006. 

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 

2 

The CEETB joined this platform and two of its 

working groups (Deployment strategy, 

Education and Training) in December 2004. 

In March 2006, the CEETB contributed to 

the business development strategy, which 

draws recommendations to stimulate the 

emergence of early market opportunities in 

hydrogen and fuel cells and to evaluate 

action needed to bridge the gap between 

innovation and commercialisation. 

The CEETB participated in the platform’s 

annual meeting of 5-6 October 2006. 

Construction technology platform 

In this platform, the CEETB focuses on two 

working groups “Cities and buildings” and 

“Quality of life”. The groups have presented 

their vision 2030 documents and action plans. 

Water and Sanitation technology platform 

The participation in this platform is co-ordinated 

with the GCI-UICP, which participates 

in the working group on “Urban and periurban 

water systems”. The working group 

has finalised its vision document, strategic 

research agenda and implementation plan to 

define the way forward for the water and 

sanitation industry until 2030. CEETB (GCI- 

UICP) had submitted detailed comments 

during the drafting process. 


Environment 

Regulation on fluorinated 

greenhouse gases 

Regulation 842/2006 covers certain fluorinated 

greenhouse gases (HFCs, PFCs and SF6) 

used in refrigeration, air conditioning and 

heat pump equipment, including their circuits, 

certain fire protection systems and 

high - voltage switchgear. The regulation 

introduces regular inspection schemes for 

such equipment, strict rules for the disposal / 

recovery of F-gases, reporting requirements 

and export/import controls. Furthermore, article 

5 commits the EU, to establish minimum 

requirements and the conditions for mutual 

recognition relating to the personnel involved 

in installation, maintenance or servicing of 

such equipment by 4 July 2007. By 4 July 2008, 

Member States shall establish or adapt their 

own training and certification requirements, 

on the basis of these minimum requirements. 


CEETB action: 

The CEETB actively participated in the stakeholder 

workshops of 9 October 06 and 18 

December 2006 in which Member State 

representatives, the Commission and 

industry discuss the regulation’s practical 

implementation. 

Through two consultations of members in 

October and November 2006, the CEETB 

defined the involvement of member businesses 

in the activities covered by the regulation, and 

the qualifications required to do so. 

Following this, the CEETB prepared a position 

paper focusing on two main arguments: 

• Under Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 on 

ozone depleting substances, Member 

States have already introduced qualification 

/ certification requirements. They 

should also be used for F-gases. A harmonized 

European system may also be 

acceptable provided it allows CEETB 

members to work on the cooling circuit 

following a short additional qualification / 

certification measure. 

• The training / qualification requirements 

relating to Regulation 842/2006 must be 

strictly limited to the cooling circuit, to 

avoid interference with other certification 

systems. 

The CEETB defended this position in the 

stakeholder group. First conclusions suggest 

that the Commission is determined to develop 

a simple and fair system. The final conclusions 

should be adopted before summer 2007. 

Internal Market and 

Contractual Matters 

Services in the Internal Market 

The proposal for a directive on services in 

the Internal Market aims to remove barriers 

hampering the free movement of services 

between Member States, while respecting 

workers and consumers' rights. 

After three years of controversial discussions, 

the European Parliament and the Council 

approved the directive in second reading in 

November and December 2006, respectively. 

It will be applicable as from 2010. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB had regular discussions with the 

European decision makers through the 

UEAPME Construction Forum. Overall, the 

final directive is fairly satisfactory for the 

CEETB and should not pose particular problems 

to specialist engineering contractors. It 

should also allow national certification 

schemes for electrical and gas installers to 

continue to operate. 

GCI-UICP and the European gas suppliers’ 

association MARCOGAZ have jointly formulated 

guidelines for the application of the directive 

in the field of domestic gas installations 

(see GCI-UICP section). 

Driving times and digital tachographs 

EU regulation 561/2006 stipulates the driving 

times and rest periods for professional drivers. 

In the past, CEETB members could be exempt 

if they stayed within a radius of 50 km 

from the base of the undertaking. The new

egulation adds a weight-related criterion. 

It must not exceed 7.5 tonnes. Contractors, 

not meeting at least one of these criteria 

will have to comply with the regulation’s 

provisions and install a digital tachograph. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB contacted the European 

Commission and asked for clarification. The 

Commission confirmed the provisions, which 

cannot be changed at this stage. 

Furthermore, the CEETB consulted national 

associations on the state of implementation 

of this regulation. 

Public procurement 

Two initiatives were of interest to the CEETB. 

1. The Commission published an Interpretive 

Communication on public contracts to 

which the public procurement directive is 

not applicable, such as contracts below 

the thresholds. The Commission is particularly 

opposed to direct contract awards, 

which seem to be common in a number of 

Member States. 

2. The Commission prepares a recommendation 

on institutionalised public private 

partnerships and a directive on concessions. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB discussed these issues with DG 

Internal Market of the European Commission. 

A further exchange of views with the 

Commission took place in the UEAPME 

Construction Forum of 31 October 2006. The 

CEETB opposed the application of EU procurement 

rules to small public construction 

contracts. As regards concessions, the 

CEETB stressed the necessity to develop 

transparent guidelines for the selection of 

subcontractors on the basis of the economically 

most advantageous tender. 

Reduced VAT rates on labour 

intensive services 

The pilot project for the application of 

reduced VAT rates to certain labour intensive 

services had expired in December 2005. The 

scheme, which covered also the repair and 

renovation of existing private dwellings, was 

successfully applied in 9 Member States. 

However, the extension of scheme had been 

blocked in the Council by Germany and then 

Poland until a last minute compromise was 

found in February 2006. Following this compromise, 

the following countries will apply 

reduced VAT rates to the renovation and 

repair of private dwellings: Czech Republic, 

Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Poland and 

Slovenia. The EU-15 countries already applying 

reduced rates will also be able to continue to 

do so. The system will be reviewed again in 

2010. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB co-signed letters sent to two 

German ministers to encourage them to lift 

their veto. 

Functioning of the posting of 

workers directive 

In spring 2006, the European Commission 

published the Communication COM(2006) 159 

“Guidance on the posting of workers within 

the framework of the provision of services". 

Drawing on case law from the European 

Court of Justice, the communication clarifies 

that host Member States have an obligation 

to ensure that the conditions of employment 

as set out by the posting directive are applied 

to workers posted to their territory. In doing 

so, host Member States can require from 

foreign service providers to comply with 

certain justified and proportionate control 

measures. 

CEETB action: 

In discussions with DG Employment on 21 

April 06, the CEETB supported the 

Commission’s will to guarantee the full application 

of the directive and avoid disproportionate 

and discriminatory measures. At the same 

time, the CEETB stressed the importance of 

efficient control instruments to ensure the 

compliance of services providers. 


Studies relating to construction 

Benchmarking of construction costs 

The European Commission contracted a pilot 

study to investigate the factors that influence 

the relative resource usage and competitiveness 

in EU construction industries with 

particular reference to national framework 

conditions. The study should develop a 

methodology to assess and compare the 

weight of various requirements to allocate 

resources (including compliance with 

administrative requirements). 

Life Cycle Costs in Construction 

DG Enterprise and Industry has commissioned 

a study on “LCC as a contribution to 

sustainable construction: towards a common 

methodology”. The study will critically review 

a number of national approaches and develop 

a possible common European methodology 

for the estimation of LCC and related indicators, 

based on the terminology and the 

general principles defined in ISO 15686. The 

methodology should be flexible enough to 

allow the input of national data and LCC for 

various types of construction assets. 


CEETB action: 

The CEETB was part of the monitoring and 

steering group that supervised and guided the 

study. It actively participated in the final 

conference on 16 January 2006. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB is part of the Monitoring Group, 

which met on 26 January 06 and 26 June 2006, 

and attended the final conference of 12 

January 07. The study also included an advisory 

group of external experts, in which the CEETB 

participated. CEETB action focused on two 

major issues: resisting all efforts to turn this 

study into a life cycle analysis exercise and 

insisting on the development of a simple and 

workable methodology. 

Technical matters 

Whilst technical matters are mainly dealt 

with by AIE and GCI-UICP separately, an 

increasing number of issues are of common 

interest and need to be co-ordinated at 

CEETB level. 

CEN Sector Forum Energy 

Management 

This newly established sector forum met on 

24 November 06 for the first time. The forum 

will co-ordinate standardisation activities in 

areas such as 

• Energy service companies - requirements 

and qualification procedures (CEN/CEN- 

ELEC TF 189) 

• Energy management systems with guidance 

for use (CEN/CENELEC TF 189) 

• Qualification criteria for energy managers 

(CEN/CENELEC TF 189) 

• Calculations of life times of energy savings 

(CEN/CENELEC TF 190) 

• Investment grade energy audits 

Other potential work items include: 

• Standardisation needs for green and 

white certificates; 

• Energy benchmarking of industry and 

service sectors; 

• Depending on analysis of standards 

developed by CEN/TC 156, standards on 

air conditioning in commercial buildings; 

CEETB action: 

Most of the activities will not start before early 

2007. 

The CEETB participates in the activities of the 

sector forum and CEN/BT TF 189 (ESCO’s) via 

GCI-UICP and NORMAPME (see also GCI- 

UICP section). CEETB and GCI-UICP will 

press for simple and fair standards that 

guarantee a level playing field for all energy 

(efficiency) service providers. All activities will 

be closely co-ordinated between CEETB, AIE 

and GCI-UICP.

Eco-label criteria for heat pumps 

In 2005, DG Environment set up a working 

group to develop eco-label criteria for heat 

pumps. The group had a mandate until the 

end of September 2006 to present its proposal, 

but failed to agree on a workable solution. 

Points of controversy included the question 

whether the heat pump unit or the system 

should be certified, the eligible applicants for 

certification and the competence criteria for 

installers. 

Following this failure, DG Enterprise presented 

its own, significantly different proposal 

in the beginning of December 06. On 14 

December 06, Member States could not yet 

agree on the final version and called for an 

additional meeting. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB participated in the working group 

through UEAPME, which provides a certain 

financial support. 

The CEETB expert participated in the meetings 

in May and September 06 and prepared several 

position papers. In response to the sluggish 

progress of the working group, the CEETB and 

the European Heat Pump Association EHPA 

developed an alternative model, which was 

introduced in the discussions. 

On 24 February 2006, the CEETB met with the 

Commission (DG Environment) to promote the 

contractors’ position. 

Thanks to these activities, the draft criteria 

became increasingly acceptable, although a 

number of question marks remained. Finally, 

the Commission proposal of December 06 

found the full support of CEETB members. 

As some Member States opposed this new 

proposal, a final discussion took place on 31 

January 07. The participants agreed on all open 

questions and included all CEETB demands. 

The compromise limits the eco-label to the 

heat pump unit, does not consider installers as 

“eligible applicants” and does not impose any 

additional certification system for installers. 

The Commission hopes to obtain the official 

approval of Member States in April 2007. 

Integrated environmental performance 

of buildings 

DG Enterprise and Industry of the European 

Commission mandated CEN work on the integrated 

environmental performance of buildings 

in the framework of the Construction 

Products Directive. Although the standards 

and technical reports will primarily cover 

products by establishing Environmental 

product declarations, they will also develop 

calculation methods for life cycle cost 

considerations and health & comfort and 

servicing aspects. 

The CEETB Secretaries General and the 

Board had decided in 2005 not to participate 

directly in these activities. However, GCI- 

UICP has established liaison with TC 350 and 

has therefore access to all documents and 

meetings. 

CEETB action: 

The CEETB informed members on relevant 

developments and consulted them on the 

responsibilities in the value chain. 

In particular, the CEETB opposed to efforts to 

require (project or system) designers to 

assess the environmental performance of 

products within a wider system. 

Information policy 

National member associations have to be 

aware of EU activities in their areas of 

interests. The CEETB has therefore continuously 

enhanced its information policy. 

CEETB Newsletter 

The Brussels News Flash includes articles 

from CEETB, AIE and GCI-UICP and is published 

seven times a year in English, French 

and German. It reaches a wide public including 


Commission officials and members of the 

European Parliament. Many national CEETB 

organisations pass this newsletter on to their 

own members. 

Ad-hoc messages 

All members are informed on an ad hoc basis 

on all relevant developments at EU level. With 

these electronic messages, national organisations 

are aware of importance issues in 

real time. 

Understanding EU legislation 

With a view to helping national associations 

and individual businesses understand 

European legislation, the CEETB developed 

a detailed guide, covering all relevant 

directives and regulations, including their 

contents, state of play, forthcoming revisions 

and links to related websites. The document 

was produced in English. The GCI-UICP is 

currently translating it into French and 

German. 

Press articles 

The CEETB published a number of articles in 

national and European magazines and newspapers. 

The included the magazines Chaleur 

Climats (B) 4/2006 and INSTALACII (BG), 

Cordis European Innovation (EUR) 6/2006 as 

well as EPBD Buildings Platform newsletter 

(EUR) 1/2007. 

Other activities 

Participation in Conferences and 

Seminars 

The CEETB is increasingly requested to 

participate as keynote speaker in international 

conferences and expert forums. This 

strengthens the contacts with other key 

market players and increases CEETB’s 

visibility. 

COGEN Europe Congress (B): 31 March 2006 

Intelligent Energy for SMEs Forum (IT): 

9-10 November 2006 


TZB Praha 2006 (CZ): 20 November 2006 

Japanese Scientists Delegation: 15 January 07 

World Energy Day (Austria): 28 February - 

1 March 2007. 

Participation in the UEAPME 

Construction Forum 

This forum brings together eleven European 

construction associations and is chaired by 

the CEETB. It deals with horizontal matters 

relating to construction. In the previous year, 

they included discussions and political action 

on the posting of workers directive, low-value 

public contracts, public private partnerships, 

the draft waste framework directive, the 

construction products directive and others. 

The forum allows the CEETB to contribute to 

the legislative process of topics, which have a 

direct impact on specialist engineering 

contracts, but do not belong to CEETB’s core 

activities. 

Meetings in 2006: 21 April 06, 31 October 06 

AIE GCI-UICP Annual 

Congress 

On 21 September 2006, the second joint AIE 

GCI-UICP congress took place in Heidelberg 

(D). It brought together more than 120 participants 

from across Europe and beyond. The 

congress dealt with two main topics: 

• The electronic document and data exchange 

in the construction supply chain and 

the EU activities in the field of e-construction; 

• The implementation of the Energy performance 

of buildings directive – problems, 

success stories and lessons for the future. 

The next joint congress will take place in 

Rome (IT) on 20 September 2007.

17 CEETB | AIE | GCI-UICP

Committees and Working Groups 

Secretaries General 

Committee 

Mission: 

The Committee brings together all directors 

of the national associations with a view to 

• Considering all European issues of common 

interest to electrical and mechanical 

contractors; 

WG “Opening up of energy 

market and energy services” 

Mission: 

The aim of this group is to promote the position 

of technical contractors as providers of energy 

services in the open energy markets by: 

• contributing to the legislative process of 

the future energy services directive; 


• Drafting joint positions on these issues 

and recommending action for the approval 

of the CEETB Board of administration; 

• Ensuring the availability of resources for 

the implementation of recommended 

actions; 

• Exchanging views on national developments. 

Four meetings took place in 2006: 3 March, 

30 May, 21 September, 5 December 

Chairman: Francis Bouquillon SERCE (F) f.bouquillon@serce.fr 

Vice Chairman: Harm van den Oever UNETO-VNI (NL) h.vandenoever@uneto-vni.nl 

Members: all Secretaries General of the AIE and GCI-UICP member associations 

CEETB 

Secretaries General Committee 

• examining certification and qualification 

requirements of energy service providers; 

• exchanging information on national 

strategies for the promotion of technical 

contractors; 

• considering contractual and legal problems 

in the liberalised markets. 

The CEETB working group met once in 2006: 

5 July 2006

Chairman: Fran_is Bouquillon SERCE, F f.bouquillon@serce.fr 

Members: Harm van den Oever UNETO-VNI, NL h.vandenoever@uneto-vni.nl 

Robert Burgon SNIPEF, SCO robert.burgon@snipef.org 

Bob Towse HVCA, UK btowse@hvca.org.uk 

Dominique Limpens UBIC, B dominiquelimpens@skynet.be 

J_rg Sch_ppi VSEI, CH juerg.schaeppi@vsei.ch 

Olli-Heikki Kyllonen STUL, FIN olli-heikki.kyllonen@stul.fi 

Martin Wade ECA, UK Martin.Wade@eca.co.uk 

Evelyne Schellekens AIE evelyne.schellekens@aie-elec.org 

Oliver Loebel CEETB / GCI-UICP contact@ceetb.org 

WG “Energy performance of 

buildings” 

Mission: 

The national implementation of the energy 

performance of buildings directive is of the 

utmost importance to most CEETB members. 

The group was established with a view to: 

• Scanning the Energy performance of 

buildings directive to identify areas for 

which a joint approach is desirable; 

• Monitoring the CEN standardisation 

activities and providing recommendations 

to the GCI-UICP representative; 

• Monitoring and exchanging information 

on the national implementation; 

• Providing recommendations to the CEETB 

representatives on the EU Energy Demand 

Management Committee. 

Chairman: Herbert Rudolf BHKS, D info@bhks.de 

Members: Robert Burgon SNIPEF, SCO robert.burgon@snipef.org 

Roland Debruyne UBIC, B Roland.Debruyne@ubic.be 

Mats Eriksson NVEF, N nvef@nvef.no 

Jaap Hogeling ISSO, NL j.hogeling@isso.nl 

Sandra Ricardo AECOPS, P aecops@aecops.pt 

Udo Wirges ZVSHK, D u.wirges@zentralverband-shk.de 


The European Association of Electrical 

Contractors (AIE) is composed of associations 

representing groups of electrical installation 

contractors carrying out electrical installations 

relating to high, medium and low voltage 

and the equipment associated therewith and 

providing all kinds of current consuming 

devices and appliances including electrical, 

electronic, communication and similar systems. 

Formed in 1954 by a few visionary countries 

in order to be able to reflect together on 

common problems, the European Association 

of Electrical Contractors – AIE – comprises 20 

national associations representing 175,000 

contractors, a workforce of 900,000 and a 

turnover of 60 billion Euro. 

Yet the scope of AIE is wider than Europe. 

NECA USA, ECA South Africa, NECA 

Australia and FAPECA (Federation of Asian 

and Pacific Electrical Contractors Associations) 

are all corresponding members of AIE 

with whom AIE maintains an excellent and 

strong relationship. Moreover, these European 

and International Electrical Associations 

have formed the International Forum of 

Electrical Contractors (IFEC). 

The purpose of the AIE is to act on behalf of 

all its members in matters that cannot or can 

hardly be acted upon by individual members. 

This means that in order for AIE to decide to 

act upon an issue, it should be in the interest 

of preferably all, but at least a significant 

majority of member associations. AIE can 

never pursue matters that are patently contrary 

to the interest of one individual member 

association. 

The current priorities of the AIE are: 

- Monitoring and influencing the European 


European Association of Electrical Contractors 

Energy Policy, in particular regarding Energy 

Efficiency, Energy Services and Renewables 

(photovoltaics, wind and solar energy) 

- Improving and promoting Electrical Safety 

in dwellings through periodic verification and 

maintenance 

- Intelligent Homes, Assisted Living and ICT 

- Follow-up of legislation and standardisation 

issues in the electro technical field 

- The relations with the branch value chain 

and the evolution of the technical industries 

in construction. 

AIE PROMOTES AND SHAPES THE ABILITY OF 

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS TO MEET THE 

DEMANDS OF TODAY AND THE CHALLENGES 

OF THE FUTURE 

Projects & Task Forces 

Since the last Council of Delegates in 

Heidelberg, the AIE has concentrated its 

activities on the strategic themes discussed 

below. Every issue has been extensively 

discussed within the Policy Coordination 

Committee and General Secretaries Committee 

in order to adopt policy guidelines or 

decisions and to give input and feedback for 

the work of the respective Task Force and AIE 

secretariat. 

1. Task Force Smart Homes and Integrated 

Building Electronic Systems 

(Chairman: G. Digilio – UK) 

One message: comfort, entertainment, 

security and a house adopted through 

lifetime. 

• The Task Force has held three well attended 

meetings in December 2005, March 2006 and

June 2006. The Task Force comprises 19 

members from 15 different AIE member 

associations. 

The Task Force members agree that the 

increased use of Intelligent & Smart 

Technology in homes and buildings offer 

future commercial opportunities for the 

electrical contracting industry, and would 

offer the potential of lower energy bills and 

lower carbon emissions for our clients, by the 

effective control of building services. 

Commercial and Industrial building owners 

and operators will expect more from their 

buildings in the sphere of environmental 

controls, energy monitoring and energy efficient 

operating of the building services. 

Designed to “Talk” to each other, buildings of 

the future will need to look at their intelligence 

in terms of whether it would be well 

placed in a sustainability rating and in an 

energy performance rating. 

In order to benchmark the existing HBES 

training schemes, information was gathered 

about existing training schemes within their 

respective countries. The Task Force concluded 

that the existing HBES training schemes 

were mainly provided by manufacturers and 

were tailored to their specific product range 

and system. Therefore, a definite need for 

education and training schemes for Smart 

Homes and Intelligent Buildings exists for 

both contractors and employees, and a 

separate working group may be needed in 

order to progress this matter. 

The development of HBES technology was 

discussed with both the British Electrical 

Installation Equipment and Electrical Systems 

Manufacturers Association (BEAMA) 

and the European Committee of Electrical 

Installation Equipment Manufacturers 

(CECAPI). 

“Gateways” are going to be an important part 

of everyday use for HBES installation. There 

is a substantial amount of work being done on 

Gateways. There are already IEC and 

European Standards for Residential 

Gateways, and the EU projects for the 

application initiative and the requirements 

for integral intelligence, command and control 

functions. Mr Luc Baranger was appointed as 

the specialist / adviser by the Task Force keeping 

the members informed on this subject and 

monitoring the development of Gateways. 

Following discussions with several manufacturers, 

the Task Force has agreed to develop a 

Pan-European Smart Home Company Qualification 

Scheme for AIE Members. 

AIE proposes to create a “Smart Home” company 

qualification scheme in order to help 

clients, specifiers and customers alike to 

easily identify companies participating in the 

“quality sector” of the Smart Home market 

throughout Europe. 

In order for companies to qualify under the 

scheme, they must employ competent tradesmen 

and either have a valid smart/intelligent 

systems qualification or have been trained in 

at least one approved manufacturers smart 

home solutions (approved manufacturers 

smart home solution training courses and 

other relevant accepted qualifications that 

would be approved by the HBES Task Force 

are listed on the AIE website). 

Registered Smart Home company contractors 

would be informed about changes to respective 

standards and regulations affecting their 

operation and would be kept up-to-date by 

the AIE HBES Task Force on new technology 

issues, new products, installation tools / 

methods and opportunities within the 

European Smart Home and Intelligent 

Building marketplace. HBES Task Force 


guidance documents would be made available 

to registered companies through a dedicated 

AIE HBES webpage. 

The Task Force has agreed to prepare a 

special HBES webpage on the AIE website 

dedicated to smart homes and intelligent 

buildings on which e.g. articles, data, news 

from manufacturers, etc., could be published. 

Participation in European projects: 

• The Task Force remains active in the following 

EU research project: 

Flexoline@home: Development of a cost efficient 

innovative reusable integrated power 

supply system, enabling interference free 

high-speed power line communication (PLC) 

architecture for the affordable smart house 

installations. 

The idea of using power supply infrastructure 

as a communication network, although providing 

a straightforward solution to the 

problem, has so far failed to demonstrate 

that the required characteristics can be 

achieved primarily due to problems related to 

electromagnetic (EM) compatibility. 

2. Task Force Standardisation and 

Safety 

(Chairman: T. Hanssen – N) 

• Since last September, the Task Force has 

held three very well attended and constructive 

meetings in December, March and June. 

Its main focus in 2005-2006 has been the 

drafting of a Recommendation for periodic 


inspection of electrical installations in 

dwellings. 

At a meeting of the AIE with the European 

Commission, Mr Montoya, head of unit of the 

electrical sector within DG Enterprise and 

Industry, confirmed his interest to see this 

sector draft Recommendation. 

A small working group has tackled this work 

and the Task Force members have discussed 

the draft Recommendation carefully. The 

Recommendation has been finalised last 

summer and sent to other European associations 

and stakeholders for support. 

While at the end of the summer the AIE met 

again with Mr Montoya’s team to present the 

work done, the Recommendation has been 

presented at the International Forum for 

Electrical Safety at the Matelec Exhibition in 

Madrid on 27 October organised by FISUEL in 

cooperation with AIE. 

A common inquiry on accidents from electric 

origin has been launched together with 

FISUEL, the International Federation for the 

Safety of Electrical Users. 

Cooperating Partner of CENELEC 

• At every meeting, an update and a state of 

affairs of the standardisation work has been 

discussed, particularly CLC TC 64, 64A and 64 

B, where the AIE has several representatives. 

Furthermore, the AIE sent a position paper to 

CENELEC and the chairman of TC 215 to 

protest against a potential change of title 

in the EN 50174 from “IT to Telecom” 


Participation in the EMC Working party 

• Participation in EMC Working Party of the 

European Commission: 

The new EMC Directive 2004/108, coming into 

effect on 1 July 2007, covers partially fixed 


While developing a draft Guide “on the application 

of Dir. 2004/108/EC”, the working group 

discovered a number of cases where interpre-

tation of the Directive is not apparent or 

where divergences in the respective national 

implementations are possible. 

The Task Force will send a paper to the 

European Commission with AIE’ s interpretation 

on cables under the EMC Directive. 

Whilst cables are partially covered by the 

Directive, they need to be installed according 

to ‘best practices’, which could therefore 

lead to question the installer’s liability in case 

of EMC problems. 

The AIE is represented in the EMC-EC working 

party by Mr. Giuliano Digilio – ECA - UK. 

Cooperation with European Commission 

•The Task Force has considered introducing a 

position paper to the European Commission 

on the interpretation regarding huge 

installations under the Machinery Directive. 

However, only a minority of AIE members has 

problems, so this issue will not be taken 

forward for the time being. 

• The AIE equally participates in the LVD 

Stakeholders Group within DG Enterprise 

and Industry. 

• The Task Force has also discussed the Low 

Voltage Directive and the AIE has given its 

input in the public consultation on the socioeconomic 

and environmental impact 

assessment. The main issue of this review 

would be the extension of the scope of the 

Directive for installations below 50V. AIE’ s 

position is that the scope of the LVD should 

not be extended to below 50Vac or 75Vdc 

because there isn't any safety case for 

reducing the voltage limits. To do so would 

very likely lead to all sorts of problems over 

interpretations about what is and is not 

covered and needs to be tested or certified. 

The limits should stay as they are in the 

Directive. 

• Free movement of electrical products / 

equipment 

Further from a meeting with the European 

Commission, the AIE was explicitly asked 

whether there were cross border barriers 

regarding the free movement of products in 

the electrical industry. 

There doesn’t seem to exist many problems, 

maybe because only a small minority works 

cross border. One type of equipment regularly 

causing problems, is the fire security and 

alarm systems. 

This issue might be deepened in the future. 

3. Task Force Energy: our dependency 

is growing daily 

(Chairman: F. Bouquillon – FR) 

Energy efficiency 

Representatives from eight countries took 

part in this Task Force, which is common to 

the AIE and the CEETB. 

As last year, the Task Force mainly focused on 

the draft directive “energy services and enduse 

efficiency”, which was finally published 

on 27 April 2006 (Directive No. 2006/32/CE). 

This subject has been constantly followed by 

the General Secretaries Committee from the 

following angles: 

- final version of the text; 

- information and discussion of the enacting 

terms for white certificates existing in 

Great Britain and Italy and introduced in 

France by decrees (Nos. 2006-600, 2006- 

603, 2006-604) of 23 May 2006. 

A meeting of the extended Task Force was 

held on 5 July in Paris to examine: 

- the opportunities and risks inherent in the 

implementation of the directive; 


- the concept of energy service companies 

(ESCOs); 

- the white certificates and the interest in 

generalizing their introduction; 

- lobbying for presence in the Advisory 

Committee provided for in Article 14 of 

the Directive with a view to defining its 

implementation. 

For the future, the Task Force will have to 

consider the issue of harmonization of qualifications 

in this area. 

On 7 February 2007, the AIE, represented by 

Mr Bouquillon and Evelyne Schellekens, 

attended the Round table on the “European 

Energy Strategy: challenges for the future”. 

Next to Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, Mr 

Francis Bouquillon and the Secretary General 

of UNICE, Philippe De Buck participated to 

this high-level Round table resulting in high 

quality debates and exchange of views with 

the audience. The main issues discussed 

were the Energy Package proposed by the 

European Commission on 10 January last, the 

unbundling of the energy markets, Europe’s 

industry competitiveness, the need for 

renewable energy in the energy mix and the 

need for an international energy debate and 

agreements. 

Participation in the European 

Photovoltaic Technology Platform 

Within the European PV Technology Platform 

four Working groups have been created: 

1) Policy, 

2) Market Deployment, 

3) Research and Science and 

4) Developing Countries. 

The AIE is a member of the Steering 

Committee of the PVTP and of the WG 

Market Deployment. 

Within this WG 2, five issues have been 

identified: 

- Building Integration of PV (BIPV), led by 

the AIE 

- Access to the grid 

- Market penetration 


- Finances 

- Health and safety. 

At the end of April 2006, the AIE - as sub 

leader of the group - BIPV presented the 

intermediate results of the subgroup BIPV to 

the plenary WG2. 

The objectives of the subgroup BIPV are: 

clear cooperation with target groups (construction, 

architects, designers and builders) 

and information, sensitisation, awareness 

and communication. Contacts have therefore 

been established with the European 

Construction Technology Platform to exchange 

information between both platforms and 

participation to each others work. The focus 

area (FA) which is of interest for the EU PV 

Technology Platform is “Cities & Buildings”. 

A first meeting with the Architects has also 

taken place. 

Different communication tools will be 

developed to exchange information with 

different target groups, such as architects, 

construction developer, city planners, etc. 

The sub leader for market penetration 

presented the concept for an awareness 

campaign for youth. This concept will be 

further developed and distributed to the 

WG for comments. 

The AIE participates to the SC of the EU PV 

Platform on 4 December. The major results 

are the fact sheets (~10) respecting the 

target audience. The publication will be 

organized in accordance with the Strategic 

Research Agenda. A feed-in tariff model with 

simple, comprehensive and transparent 

calculations is being worked out. 

The Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) is in 

the final stage and a glossy report will be 

available in March 2007. 

• As a member of the Steering Committee of 

the EU PV Technology platform and being 

responsible for the subgroup “Building integration 

of PV” (BIPV), the AIE brought 2 

important partners together on 2 February 

2007 in the framework of the “Week of 

Sustainable Energy”, namely the PV industry 

and the building sector. Indeed, it is obvious

that on the topic BIPV, the main focus is to 

link the EU Photovoltaic Technology Platform 

activities related to building integration with 

those of the European Construction Technology 

Platform. The chairman of the EU 

Construction Technology Platform (ECTP) 

co-chaired this high level Conference 

attended by all kind of stakeholders, local 

authorities, engineering offices, research 

institutes, architects and designers as well as 

building developers resulting in a most interesting 

exchange of information, high quality 

presentations with a successful outcome. 

4. Task Force Competition of Young 

Electricians 

(Chairman: K. Träger – DE) 

The most important activity was the 

European championship of young electricians 

in Lisbon from May 22 nd – 25 th within the 

setting of the TEKTONICA-fair on the former 

EXPO-site. Nine European nations sent their 

candidates to fight for the crown in European 

young electrical installation. 

The AIE Competition of Young Electricians is 

held every second year to demonstrate only 

the highest qualifications of vocational 

training in Europe. Energy efficiency, safety 

and customer-comfort are among the key 

issues offered by the 350.000 organised companies 

of technical contracting in Europe. 

Their best apprentices compete in the 

European championships and thus enable a 

good insight to what modern electrical 

contracting is capable of. 

At the end of the ninth European championship 

of electrical installation it was 23 year old 

Swiss Reto Bischofberger to go for gold! 

The next European championships for Young 

Electricians will be held at the world-trade-fair 

Light & Building in Frankfurt, Germany 6-10 

April 2008. The AIE considers this as another 

good chance for the European community of 

electrical installers to grow, and, of course, as 

another chance for the industrial partners to 

join the spirit. 

5. AIE Visibility action plan 

This action plan is based on two pillars: 

- The networking of the AIE and its visibility. 

- The image of the electro technical branch 

sector. 

Regarding the first pillar, several initiatives 

have been taken in 2005 and 2006: 

- Attendance at sector related events in the 

Electrical Industry, networking and contacts 

with sector related stakeholders 

such as CENELEC, ECI, the European 

Association of Electrical Wholesalers, 

FISUEL, European Photovoltaic Technology 

Platform, UIE, EFER, EPIA, ELC. 

- Attendance at member events of VSEI, 

EIO, SERCE. 

- In this framework the AIE gave speeches 

or presentations at several occasions, 

which are available on the AIE website. 

- Positive contacts have been established 

with Bulgaria and Lithuania at an AIE 

event, organised in Frankfurt as part of the 

Light & Building exhibition, in April 2006. 

- Three sector related articles have been 

published in cooperation with ECI. 

- Is electric heating making a comeback? 

An ecological and economical answer or 

modern living? 

- Solving poor Power Quality (PQ) - A winwin 

opportunity for installers and their 

clients 

- Ten opportunities for the near future 

- AIE has sent out 90 info flashes on sector 

specific topics. 


Regarding the second pillar, the DVD “Being 

an Electrician – a job for life” has been 

created. 

At its Annual Assembly in September, the 

AIE launched a European-wide awareness 

campaign under the slogan: 

"Being an electrician - a job for life". 

The so-called “VIP Project” - Visibility, Image 

and Promotion of the electro-technical sector 

aims at enhancing the profile of the electro 

technical sector and upgrading the visibility 

and image of the sector. 

In the framework of the VIP Project, the 

AIE produced a 6' film in association with 

ECI (European Copper Institute) and UIE 

(International Union for Electrical Applications). 

Because of a European-wide lack of 

qualified and skilled workers in the sector, the 

aim of the film is to attract young people in 

the electro technical sector giving them an 

attractive picture of the sector. The constant 

developing of new technologies and the 

diversity of and within the electro technical 

sector should help youngsters realise the 

sector's attractiveness. 

Copies have been distributed through the 

network of the three associations, Europe 

wide and Russia, USA and Japan. More than 

half of the AIE members have asked for 

additional copies for national use in schools, 

education and training institutes and trade 

fairs. The film can also be downloaded at the 

AIE website and received until today about 

700 hits. 


Other Activities 

Representation 

The AIE participated in numerous meetings 

within the framework of the European 

Commission with regard to EMC, PVTP and 

ECTP, and in CENELEC at standardisation 

level or other sector related stakeholders. 

Additionally, the AIE regularly participates in 

member events - such as 100 th Anniversaries 

of VSEI and EIO, the Conference on 

Sustainability and Environment of SERCE or 

general assemblies - and establishes close 

relationships with its national member 

associations. 

Exchange of information and surveys 

The AIE is also a place for the exchange of 

information between member associations. 

Within this context, the secretariat of the AIE 

has conducted a number of surveys such as: 

- Fisuel inquiry on a recommendation for 

periodic inspection of electrical installations 

- AIE position paper on the review of the 

WEEE Directive 

- Requirements in Europe for telecommunication 

installers 

- AIE Directory 

- Priorities of AIE members 

- Update on Standardisation Scheme 

- Sickness in our sector 

- Theft on site 

- DVD “Being an Electrician”

The GCI-UICP provides a pan-European focus 

for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, 

plumbing and metal roofing contractors. They 

participate in GCI-UICP through 33 national 

organisations from 23 European and four 

extra-European countries. 

While horizontal issues are covered by the 

CEETB, the GCI-UICP focuses mainly on 

specific political and technical questions 

relating to gas, oil and water installations. 

Statutory Meetings 

General Assembly 

The General Assembly was hosted by the 

German organisation ZVEH and took place in 

Heidelberg on 22 September 06. 

The delegates unanimously accepted the 

applications for affiliate membership submitted 

by MEGSZ (Hungary), SGGiK (Poland), 

SVTT (Slovakia) and IATEC (Ukraine). At the 

same time, the affiliate membership of SPTZ 

(CZ) was transformed into full membership. 

The GCI-UICP President emphasised the 

importance of integrating the associations 

from the new Member States so as to create 

a truly European organisation. The delegates 

also elected Marcel Engels, the president of 

UNETO-VNI (NL), into the GCI-UICP Board. 

Board of Administration 

The Board of administration met three times 

in 2006: 22 February 2005, 30 May 06, 21 

September 06. 

On 2 March 06, the first joint meeting of the 

GCI-UICP Board and the GCI-UICP 

Secretaries General took place. This meeting 

replaces the former Council of Presidents 

and covers topics specific to mechanical 

contractors. 

GCI-UICP 

Génie Climatique International and the 

International Union of Roofing and Plumbing 

GCI-UICP Board: Brendan Duffy, Jürgen Diehl, Peter Hoyle, 

Jacques de Meester, Oliver Loebel, Jean Rougnon, Jan Heeres 

Campaigns 

Participation in the European 

standardisation process 

Standardisation has become one of the major 

challenges for the trades represented by GCI- 

UICP. European standards are no longer 

limited to products but increasingly cover 

systems and services. 

Standardisation under the Energy 

Performance of Buildings Directive 

The European Commission had mandated 

CEN to draft standards relating to the 

inspection of boilers / and heating and air 

conditioning systems, the calculation of the 

energy performance of buildings and the 

building performance certificates. All 32 

standards have been published for enquiry, 

the results of which have already been 

processed, so that the final prEN drafts are 

now available. Depending on the standard, 

the two-month formal voting procedures will 

start between December 2006 and April 2007. 

The approved standards are expected to be 

available between May and September 2007. 


Standardisation in the field 

of building automation 

CEN/TC 247 is in charge of building automation, 

controls and building management. The 

TC is involved in the standards development 

relating to the Energy performance of 

buildings directive and develops also a number 

of system standards. 


GCI-UICP action: 

As most Member States will adopt these 

standards, their workability for mechanical 

contractors had to be assured. GCI-UICP 

interests were represented by Jaap Hogeling 

(ISSO, NL) who receives financial support from 

NORMAPME and participates in the following 

CEN Working groups: 

• TC 156 - Ventilation for buildings (WG7 subgroup 

Load & Ventilation) on calculation 

and inspection of AC-systems 

• TC 156 - Ventilation systems in buildings 

(WG7 subgroup on Ventilation) on calculation 

and inspection of ventilation systems 

and indoor climate requirements 

• TC 228 (WG4) on energy calculation and 

inspection of heating systems and (WG5) on 

embedded systems. 

The 32 standards will comprise more than 2000 

pages. Their detailed understanding will 

therefore require a significant investment in 

time for GCI-UICP members. The GCI-UICP is 

therefore exploring along with NORMAPME 

and ISSO (NL) the feasibility of developing a 

software package including training and 

efficiency calculation programmes. 

Jaap Hogeling 


GCI-UICP decided to participate directly in 

the work of this TC. The GCI-UICP representative 

will be Mr Arendt (BHKS, D) who will 

take up his work in early 2007. 

In May 2006, the GCI-UICP consulted the 

Technical working group on the TC’s draft 

business plan. 

Standardisation in the field of drinking 

water 

CEN/TC 164 is developing standards on 

drinking water installations in buildings (EN 

806.1-5, EN 1717) and related technical documents. 

In 2006, prEN 806-3 “Calculation of 

pipe diameters” was finalised, and the internal 

vote on prEN 806-4 “Installation” under preparation. 

Furthermore, the TC launched the initial 

vote on the draft technical report “Recommendations 

for prevention of Legionella 

growth for installations inside buildings 

conveying water for human consumption” 


Since autumn 2006, GCI-UICP has been represented 

in TC 164 by Alejandro Martin (CCS, B). 

Furthermore, the members of the Technical 

working group were consulted on several draft 

standards and the report on Legionella. 

Standardisation in the field of gas 

installations 

CEN/TC 234 is dealing with standards on gas 

supply including buildings. GCI-UICP’s 

interest lies mainly in working group 1 “Gas 

installations”, which is in the process of 

adopting the standard prEN 1775-2006 “Gas 

supply – Gas pipework for buildings - Maximum 

operating pressure less than or equal to 5 

bar – Functional recommendations”. The 

formal vote on this standard is underway. 


GCI-UICP is represented on TC 234 by Pem 

Kubbe (NL), who also received financial 

support from NORMAPME. He follows the 

work of WG 1 and monitors the other WG. 

The GCI-UICP participated in the TC annual 

meeting in May 2006. 

Furthermore, GCI-UICP is attending the 

meetings of the Sector Forum Gas – Utilisation 

(22 September 2006).

Pem Kubbe 

Standardisation in the field of energy 

service companies (ESCO’s) 

In autumn 2006, CEN established a Sector 

Forum Energy Management to co-ordinate 

the activities of technical committees and 

task forces working in this area and define 

new standardisation needs. 

In addition, a new joint task force 189 was 

created dealing with Energy Management - 

General requirements and qualification 

procedures”. It will deal with energy management 

systems and, more importantly for 

GCI-UICP, with the definition of Energy 

Service Companies (ESCO) including 

requirements and qualification procedures. 

The work on ESCO’s will start in early 2007. 


GCI-UICP is represented on the Sector 

Forum Energy Management by Oliver Loebel 

(secretariat), who attended the kick-off 

meeting on 28 November 2006. He criticised 

the Commission’s intention to mandate CEN 

to develop new standards for so-called 

investment grade building audits, as this 

could harm the credibility of the building 

certification under the Energy performance 

of buildings directive. 

Udo Wirges (ZVSHK, D) represents mechanical 

contractors in the CEN/CENELEC task force 

189 (PT on ESCO’s). The GCI-UICP participated 

in the kick-off meeting on ESCO’s on 19 

February 07 (Milan). 

The GCI-UICP works in close co-operation 

with the CEETB and the AIE. 

Udo Wirges 

Integrated environmental performance 

of buildings 

Based on a Commission mandate, TC 350 will 

develop voluntary horizontal standardised 

methods for the assessment of sustainability 

aspects of new and existing construction 

works and standards for environmental 

product declarations. The work will also 

include aspects relating to the building life 

cycle and comfort. 


GCI-UICP has established liaison to this TC 

without directly sending an expert. 

Following a consultation of the technical 

working group, the GCI-UICP opposed the 

NORMAPME position according to which all 

supply chain members would have to contribute 

to the sustainability calculations for 

construction products. Further discussions 

with NORMAPME members will take place 

on 5 February 2007. 

Others 

As part of a study commissioned by DG 

Enterprise and Industry, the GCI-UICP position 

was requested as to whether the 

European Commission should continue to 

provide financial support for the translation 

of European harmonised standards into the 

national languages of Member States. 


GCI-UICP strongly supported continued public 

financing for harmonised standards. Their 

references are published in the EU official 

journal, which gives them a status close to 

legislation. Furthermore, businesses in most 

Member States find it extremely difficult to 

cope with standards that only exist in 

English, French and German. The GCI-UICP 

also recommended the development of training 

tools translated into all official languages, 

summarizing the contents of standards and 

giving recommendations on their application. 


Gas installations in buildings 

GCI-UICP is committed to striking the balance 

between highest safety and efficiency 

levels on the one hand, and free markets on 

the other. Together with the European gas 

distributors’ organisation MARCOGAZ, GCI- 

UICP develops strategies how to achieve 

this goal in the light of new European legislation 

(directives on services and the 

recognition of professional diplomas). 

Safety of domestic gas installations 

The safety of domestic gas installations 

depends on a number of aspects including the 

compliance with standards, the qualification 

of the operatives and regular inspection / 

maintenance. 

Mutual recognition of installers’ 

competence 

Guaranteeing the free movement of gas 

installers whilst maintaining highest end-user 

protection is only possible, if national certification 

requirements can be effectively compared 

with one another, and benchmarked 

against minimum skills. 



GCI-UICP and MARCOGAZ have developed a 

detailed recommendation listing the standards 

to be respected, the skills required for the 

operatives involved in gas installations, 

analysing the effects of do-it-yourself activities 

and proposing regular inspection / maintenance 

schemes. The paper was officially 

adopted in April 2006 and should be used in 

discussions at national level. 

Currently, GCI-UICP and MARCOGAZ are 

exploring ways to promote the recommendation 

at EU level trough the European 

Commission and / or CEN. 


GCI-UICP and MARCOGAZ have launched, in 

October 06, the discussions on a system of 

mutual recognition of competences of gas 

installers. 

The first draft paper includes established 

European tools such as the EuroPass. With 

this document the operative wishing to work in 

another Member States can provide personal 

information, information on work experience, 

education & training, personal skills (language 

skills), gas work competence formal qualifications, 

gas work competence accreditation 

body and additional information. In addition, a 

matrix will be established for each of the 

activities related to gas installations including 

personal information on formal qualification 

/ certification, experience and periodic 

assessment. The matrix is currently being 

completed with information from national 

member associations. 

Drinking water installations in 

buildings 

Quality of drinking water installations 

As in the case of gas, the quality of drinking 

water supply systems in buildings depends on 

a number of factors. GCI-UICP is working 

with the European water suppliers’ association 

EUREAU to develop a joint strategy in 

this area and promote it towards the 

European Commission. In this context, the 

planned revision of the directive on water 

intended for human consumption is of 

particular interest. 


GCI-UICP and EUREAU developed and adopted 

the following joint documents 

• Approval of the joint position paper on the 

revision of the drinking water directive; 

• Approval of a water safety plan for domestic 

installations; 

• Approval of a joint paper on qualification 

requirements for plumbing contractors; 

All papers were presented to DG Environment. 

Another joint paper on the regular inspection 

of domestic drinking water installations is 

currently under development. 

Furthermore, members were consulted on the 

question whether water above 25 °C should be 

considered as drinking water. It was agreed 

that the possibility should be kept provided 

there are product tests for hot water. This was 

accepted by EUREAU.

Preparing the revision of the drinking 

water directive 

Directive 98/83/EC will come under revision in 

2007. The following areas are likely to be 

addressed: 

• Harmonising water related European 

directives; 

• Updating Parameters; 

• Reporting obligations, objectives and 

formats; 

• Risk Assessment, Risk Management 

Approach, Water Safety Plans; 

• New methods for monitoring and sampling 

for compliance and analytical issues; 

• Maybe: legal basis for the EAS 

After the presentation of a strategy document 

in December 2005, the Commission 

announced another stakeholder consultation 

for early 2007. The draft revised directive 

could be available before the end of 2007. 


In April 06, the GCI-UICP submitted a position 

paper on the strategy document calling for 

water safety plans to cover buildings, compulsory 

minimum qualifications for plumbing 

contractors and regular inspection schemes. 

Moreover, GCI-UICP and EUREAU jointly 

presented their position paper on the revision 

of the drinking water directive, a water safety 

plan for domestic installations and a paper on 

qualification requirements for plumbing 

contractors. The Commission still has doubts 

about including more detailed provisions on 

buildings in the directive. The campaign will 

therefore continue in 2007. 

Contributing to the European Approval 

Schemes (EAS) for Construction 

Products in contact with Drinking Water 

After years of more or less successful discussions, 

the European Commission started in 

autumn 2006 the development of a revised 

strategy. It is now envisaged to have an EAS 

(CE marking) for construction products in 

contact with drinking water by 2010. 


In several discussions with DG Enterprise and 

Industry, GCI-UICP supported the development 

of a workable EAS, which would facilitate the 

choice of plumbing contractors. However, the 

GCI-UICP opposed the idea of charging EOTA 

with the preparatory work. The GCI-UICP also 

criticised the intention to combine EU thresholds 

with national parameters and add to each 

product specific (national) information on the 

correct use and other risks. The European 

Commission was encouraged to develop one 

coherent system combining the EAS and the 

drinking water directive. 

Water and Sanitation Technology 

Platform 

The GCI-UICP participates in this platform 

and more specifically in the working group on 

“Urban and peri-urban water systems”. The 

group has finalised its vision document and 

strategic research agenda to define the way 

forward for the water and sanitation industry 

until 2030. The Implementation Plan has 

identified six research and pilot projects. The 

GCII-UICP submitted detailed comments 

during the drafting process and declared its 

interest to contribute to the research and 

pilot project on urban areas. 

Contacts with the World Health 

Organisation (WHO) 

The WHO and DG Environment set up a joint 

working group in February 2006 with a view to 

defining guidelines as to how water safety 

plans could be integrated into legislation. The 

guidelines are expected to be available by 

April 2007. 


GCI-UICP has established links with the WHO 

through the World Plumbing Council. Contact 

person is Robert Burgon (SNIPEF) who is part 

of both associations. 


Working Groups 

Technical working group 

Mission: 

• Monitoring the activities of CEN/TC with 

relevance to mechanical contractors; 

• Co-ordinating and supporting the par- 

Members: 

Joint working group with 

MARCOGAZ on the safety 

of domestic gas installations 

Mission: 

The Group will in the first instance work to 

prepare a position paper to identify and/or 

establish the essentials of how to achieve 

• the safe installation of pipe work and appliance, 

flue ducts & air supply and 

• for the inspection and maintenance of gas 


ticipation of experts in national mirror 

committees; 

• Recommending the direct participation of 

GCI-UICP in selected CEN/TC; 

• Exchanging information on all technical 

issues of interest to members. 

Supervisor: Jürgen Diehl BHKS, D juergen.diehl@diehl-gmbh.de 

Members: Alejandro Martin FBIC (B) martin.alex@pandora.be 

Roland Debruyne UBIC (B) Roland.Debruyne@ubic.be 

Martin Sager Suissetec (CH) martin.sager@suissetec.ch 

Andreas M_ller ZVSHK (D) a.m_ller@zentralverband-shk.de 

Birger Christiansen TEKNIQ (DK) bc@tekniq.dk 

Mats Eriksson NVEF (N) nvef@nvef.no 

W. P. Kubbe UNETO-VNI (NL) w.p.kubbe@freeler.nl 

BobTowse HVCA (UK) btowse@hvca.org.uk 

GCI-UICP Members: 

installations down stream of the point of delivery 

while 

• working towards highest energy efficiency. 

• This framework should also provide guidance 

for mutual recognition of competence of 

persons engaged in gas installation and 

maintenance activities through existing and 

recognised schemes at European level. 

• It is planned to cover requirements relating to 

domestic installations and those relating to 

non-domestic installations separately. 

The group met twice times in 2006: 

23 March 06, 3 October 06 

Members: Oliver Loebel GCI-UICP contact@ceetb.org 

Alejandro Martin FBIC (B) martin.alex@pandora.be 

Inma Peiro CONAIF (E) inmapeiro@conaif.es 

Franz-Josef Heinrichs ZVSHK (D) c.weiler@zentralverband-shk.de 

Maurizio Esitini ASSISTAL (IT) m.esitini@assistal.it 

W. P. Kubbe UNETO-VNI (NL) w.p.kubbe@freeler.nl 

José Tomaz Gomes AECOPS (P) dg@aecops.pt 

Bob Towse HVCA (UK) btowse@hvca.org.uk

Joint working group with 

EUREAU on the safety of 

domestic drinking water 

installations 

Mission: 

• Maintaining regular contacts with the 

relevant Commission services; 

• Developing joint guidance and position 

papers relating to drinking water installa- 

GCI-UICP Members: 

Other Activities 

Participation in members’ and 

potential members’ events 

GCI-UICP is committed to strengthening 

personal contacts with national mechanical 

tions in buildings with a focus on qualifications 

of plumbing contractors and 

regular inspection schemes; 

• Developing a water safety plan for 

domestic buildings; 

• Promoting these documents towards the 

European Commission as contributions to 

the revision of directive 98/83/EC. 

The group met three times in 2006: 

30 March 06, 1 September 06, 19 December 06 

Members: Oliver Loebel GCI-UICP contact@ceetb.org 

Alejandro Martin FBIC (B) martin.alex@pandora.be 

Paul Sheridan ME&BSCA (IRL) psheridan@cif.ie 

Ron van Harten UNETO-VNI (NL) r.vanharten@uneto-vni.nl 

W. Pem Kubbe UNETO-VNI (NL) w.p.kubbe@freeler.nl 

Udo Wirges ZVSHK (D) u.wirges@zentralverband-shk.de 

Yves Butet UNCP (F) butety@uncp.ffbatiment.fr (guest) 

NORMAPME 

GCI-UICP is a full member of NORMAPME, 

the European Office of Crafts, trades and 

SMEs for Standardisation. Membership 

includes the provision of information on 

contractors’ associations. This mainly 

includes the participation in events organised 

at national level. In 2006, GCI-UICP played in 

active part in a number of such events: 

• MEGSZ annual conference (Hungary) 28 January 06 

• Meeting with UNETO-VNI 10 February 06 

• HVAC working group of ZVSHK (Germany): 31 May 06 

• NIS Annual congress (Bulgaria) 24 June 06 

• Meeting with SGGiK (Poland) 30 June 06 

• TZB Conference organised by SPTZ (Czech Republic): 19-20 November 06 

• Suissetec (Switzerland) 13 February 07 

standards-related issues and guaranteed 

free access to all technical committees of 

CEN, CENELEC, ETSI and ISO and includes 

also financial support for a limited number 

of experts. In 2006, two GCI-UICP experts 

were compensated by NORMAPME. 

Mr Oliver Loebel represents GCIUICP on 

the NORMAPME Board of administration. 

In 2006, the Board met four times: 

28 February, 16 May, 27 September and 

30 November (including General Assembly) 



ANNEX 

1.Participation in EU Advisory Groups 

2.Position papers 

3.Members of the CEETB 

and GCI-UICP Boards of 

Administration and AIE Structure 

4.CEETB Member Associations

Participation in European 

Advisory Groups 

• Energy demand management committee (DG Transport and Energy) 

CEETB representative: Udo WIRGES (ZVSHK, D) 

• EU Sustainable Energy Forum (DG Transport and Energy) 

CEETB representative: Oliver LOEBEL (CEETB Secretariat) 

(participation through UEAPME) 

• European climate change programme – phase II (DG Environment) 


• Energy performance of buildings directive: Buildings Platform 


• Expert group on the sustainable urban environment (DG Environment) 


• Steering group for the development of a LCC methodology (DG Enterprise and Industry 

CEETB representative: Oliver LOEBEL (CEETB Secretariat), John HARROWER (ECA, UK) 

• SME Energy (European Parliament) 


• WG for the development of Eco-label criteria for heat pumps (DG Environment) 

CEETB representative: Ladislav KROCEK (SPTZ, CZ) 

• Hydrogen and fuel cells technology platform (DG Research) 


• Photovoltaic technology platform (DG Research) 

CEETB representative: Evelyne SCHELLEKENS (AIE Secretariat) 

• Water and Sanitation technology platform (DG Research) 


• Construction technology platform (DG Research) 


• Monitoring group for the implementation of the regulation on fluorinated gases 

(DG Environment) 

CEETB representatives: Oliver LOEBEL (CEETB Secretariat) 

• Consultation Forum under Art. 18 of the Eco-Design Framework Directive 

(DG Enterprise and Industry 


• Liaison status with the Committee on water intended for human consumption 

(DG Environment) 

CEETB representative: Oliver LOEBEL (CEETB GCI-UICP Secretariat) 


Position Papers 

• CEETB: Comments on the draft motion for a European Parliament Resolution with recommendations 

to the Commission on heating and cooling from renewable sources of energy 

(2005/2122(INI)) 

• GCI-UICP: Comments of on the European Commission Strategic Document Revision of the 

Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC of 16 December 2005 

• CEETB: Minimum Qualification Requirements for Personnel in the European Community 

Involved in the Containment and Recovery of Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (F-Gases) and 

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) 

• AIE: Position paper on the review of the WEEE Directive 

• GCI-UICP: Comments on CEN/TC 350 on the environmental performance of buildings 

• CEETB: Communication from the Commission “An energy policy for Europe” 

• CEETB: Comments on EU Regulation 561/2006 

• CEETB : Comments on the Public consultation of the European Commission "Promotion of 

Heating and Cooling from Renewable Energies 

• CEETB: Comments on Article 10 of Directive 2002/91/EC on the Energy Performance of 

Buildings 

• CEETB: Suggestions relating to the awareness raising campaigns foreseen in the forthcoming 

EU Energy Efficiency Action Plan 

• CEETB: Comments on the revised Commission proposal for a Decision establishing the 

ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to heat pump systems 

• GCI-UICP: EUREAU – GCI-UICP Briefing note on Regular inspection of drinking water 

installations in domestic buildings 

• GCI-UICP: EUREAU GCI-UICP Common position on the Water quality in private buildings 

• GCI-UICP: GCI UICP – EUREAU Briefing note on Compulsory qualification / certification 

requirements for plumbing contractors and other operatives involved in designing, installing, 

inspecting and maintaining domestic drinking water installations 

• GCI-UICP: GCI-UICP MARCOGAZ Recommendations on Safety of Domestic Gas 

Installations 

36 CEETB | AIE | GCI-UICP

CEETB Board of Administration 

(situation on 31 December 2006) 

President 

Jean Rougnon 

(GCI-UICP), France 

Jürgen Diehl 

(GCI-UICP), Germany 

Gunnar Gran 

(AIE), Norway 

Vice-President 

Karl Heinz Bertram 

(AIE), Germany 

Members 

Brendan Duffy 

(GCI-UICP), Ireland 

Jacques Wetzel 

(AIE), France 

Treasurer 

Alejandro Martin 

(GCI-UICP), Belgium 

Marcel Engels 

(GCI-UICP), Netherlands 

Peter Hoyle (GCI-UICP), 

United Kingdom 


GCI-UICP Board of Administration 



President 

Jean Rougnon (GCI-UICP), France 

jeanrougnon@noos.fr 

Vice-president 

Jürgen Diehl (BHKS), Germany 

juergen.diehl@diehl-gmbh.de 

Past-President 

Brendan Duffy (ME&BSCA), Ireland 

Treasurer 

Jacques de Meester (FBIC), Belgium 

Co-opted members 

Marcel Engels (GCI-UICP), Netherlands 

m.engels@uneto-vni.nl 

Peter Hoyle (GCI-UICP), United Kingdom 

pmhoylethornton@btopenworld.com

AIE Structure 


Management Committee 

President: Guy Geffroy (APEL – Luxembourg) 

Vice-President: Jacques Wetzel (FFIE – France) 

Past-President: Karl-Heinz Bertram (ZVEH – Germany) 

General Secretary: Evelyne Schellekens (AIE) 

AIE Policy Coordination Committee 

President: Guy Geffroy (APEL – Luxembourg) 

Vice-President: Jacques Wetzel (FFIE – France) 

Past-President: Karl-Heinz Bertram (ZVEH – Germany) 

Expert responsible for the Task Forces: Marcel Engels (UNETO-VNI, The Netherlands) 

Expert responsible for the Task Forces: Gunnar Gran (NELFO - Norway) 

Chairman TF Standardisation & Safety: Terje Hansen (NELFO - Norway) 

Chairman TF Energy Services: Francis Bouquillon (SERCE - France) 

Chairman TF Competition for Young Electricians: Klaus Tr_ger (ZVEH - Germany) 

Chairman TF HBES & SmartHouses: Giuliano Digilio (ECA - UK) 

General Secretary: Evelyne Schellekens (AIE) 


AIE Organisation Chart 

General Secretaries Commitee (GSC) 

General Secretaries of 

Member Associations 


Council of Delegates (CD) 

Yearly General Assembly 

Policy Coordination Committe (PCC) 

Members of MC,Chairmen of TF 

2 elected experts 

Copetition of Young Electricians TF (CYE) 

Energy Services TF 

Standardisation & Safety TF 

Home Building Electronics System 

&Smart House TF 

Management Commitee (MC) 

President, 

Vice-President & Past President

CEETB Member Associations 

AIE 

Association Internationale des entreprises d’équipement électrique 

J. Chantraineplantsoen, 1, 3070 Kortenberg 

Tel.: + 32 2 253 42 22 Fax:+ 32 2 253 67 63 Email: info@aie.eu Website: www.aie.eu 

Austria 

Bundesinnung der Elektro-, Audio-, Video- & 

Alarmanlagentechniker 

http://www.elektrotechniker.at 

Cyprus 

Pan-Cyprian Federation of Electrical Contractors 

POSEH Cyprus 

Finland 

Suomen Sähkö- ja teleurakoitsijaliitto 

(Electrical contractors’ association of Finland) 

STUL 

http://www.stul.fi 

Germany 

Zentralverband der Deutschen Elektro- und 

Informationstechnischen Handwerke 

ZVEH 

http://www.zveh.de 

Hungary 

Elektromosipai Magànvàllalkozòk Orszàgos 

Szövetsége 

EMOSZ 

http://www.emosz.hu/ 

Italy 

Associazione Nazionale Costruttori di Impianti 

ASSISTAL 

http://www.assistal.it/ 

Netherlands 

Organisation for the Electrical and mechanical 

and technical retail branch 

UNETO-VNI 

http://www.uneto-vni.nl 

Belgium 

FEDELEC 

http://www.fedelec.be/ 

Denmark 

Elinstallatorernes Landesforening 

ELFO 

http://www.elfo.dk 

France 

Fédération française des installateurs électriciens 

FFIE 

http://www.ffie.fr 

Syndicat des entreprises du génie électrique 

SERCE 

www.serce.fr 

Greece 

Panhellenic Federation of Electrical Contractors 

Association 

POSEI 

http://www.poseh.gr 

Ireland 

The Electrical Contractors’ Association 

ECA Ireland 

http://www.cif.ie 

Luxembourg 

Association des patrons électriciens 

du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg 

APEL 

Norway 

Foreningen for EL og IT bedriftene 

NELFO 

http://www.nelfo.no 



Portugal 

Associaçao de Empresas de Construçao e Obras 

Publicas 

AECOPS 

http://www.aecops.pt 

Spain 

Federación Nacional de Empresarios de 

Instalaciones Electricistas y Telecomunicaciones 

de España 

FENIE 

http://www.fenie.es 

Switzerland 

Union Suisse des installateurs électriciens / 

Verband Schweizerischer Elektro- 

Installationsfirmen 

USIE / VSEI 

http://www.vsei.ch 

USA 

National Electrical Contractors Association 

NECA 

http://www.necanet.org 

South Africa 

The Electrical Contractors Association 

ECA-SA 

http://www.ecasa.co.za 

AIE 

Association Internationale des entreprises d’équipement électrique 

J. Chantraineplantsoen, 1, 3070 Kortenberg 

Tel.: + 32 2 253 42 22 Fax:+ 32 2 253 67 63 Email: info@aie.eu Website: www.aie.eu 

Corresponding Members 

Scotland 

Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland 

SELECT 

http://www.select.org.uk 

Sweden 

Elektriska Installatörsorganisationen 

EIO 

http://www.eio.se 


The Electrical Contractor’s Association 

ECA England 

http://www.eca.co.uk 

Australia 

National Electrical Contractors Association 

NECA 

http://www.neca.asn.au 

The Federation of Asian and Pacific Electrical 

Contractors Associations 

FAPECA 

http://www.neca.asn.au

Austria 

Bundesinnung der Sanitär-, Heizungs und 

Lüftungstechniker 

BSHL 

http://www.shk.at/ 

Verband Zentralheizungs- und Lüftungsbau 

VZHL 

vzhl@fmmi.at 

Czech Republic 

Czech association of mechanical, electrical and 

plumbing contractors 

SPTZ 

http://www.sptz.cz 

Finland 

LVI-Tekniset Urakoitsijat 

LVI-TU ry 

http://www.lvi-tu.com 

Germany 

Bundesindustrieverband Heizungs-, Klima-, 

Sanitärtechnik/Technische Gebäudesysteme e.V. 

B.H.K.S. 

http://www.bhks.de 

Zentralverband Sanitär Heizung Klima 

ZVSHK 

http://www.wasserwaermeluft.de 

Italy 

Associazione Nazionale Costruttori di Impianti 

ASSISTAL 

http://www.assistal.it/ 

Netherlands 

Organisation for the Electrical and mechanical 

and technical retail branch 

UNETO-VNI 

http://www.uneto-vni.nl 

GCI - UICP 

Génie Climatique International - 

Union Internationale de la Couverture et de la Plomberie 

Tel.: + 32 02 285 07 27 

Rue Jacques de Lalaing 4, 1040 Brussels 

Fax:+ +32 02 230 78 61 

Website: www.gci-uicp.eu 

Email: contact@ceetb.eu 

Belgium 

Fédération Nationale des Associations de Patrons Installateurs 

Sanitaires et de Chauffage au Gaz, Plombiers, Zingueurs et 

Ardoisiers-Couvreurs de Belgique 

FBIC - LBIS 

http://www.lbis-fbic.be 

Union Royale Belge des Installateurs en Chauffage Central, 

Climatisation et Industries Connexés 

UBIC 

www.ubic.be 

Denmark 

Ehrvervsorganisation for energi, miljø og klima 

TEKNIQ 

http//:www.tekniq.dk 

France 

Union Climatique de France 

UCF 

www.ucf.fr 

Ireland 

The Mechanical Engineering and Building 

Services Contractors’ Association 

M.E. & B.S.C.A 

http://www.cif.ie 

Luxembourg 

Fédérations des Installateurs en Equipements 

Sanitaires et Climatique 

FIESC 

http://www.fiesc.lu 

Norway 

Norske Rørleggerbedrifters Landsforening VVS 

N.R.L. – VVS 

http://www.nrl.no 



Portugal 

Associaçao de Empresas de Construçao e 

Obras Publicas 

AECOPS 

http://www.aecops.pt 

Spain 

Confederacion Nacional de Asociaciones 

Empresas de Fontaneria, Gas, Calefaccion, 

Climatizacion, Mantenimiento y Afines 

CONAIF 

http://www.conaif.com 

Switzerland / Liechtenstein 

Schweizerisch-Liechtensteinischer 

Gebäudetechnikverband 

Suissetec 

http://www.suissetec.ch 

Australia 

Air conditioning & Mechanical Contractors' 

Association of Australia Limited 

AMCA 

www.amca.com.au 

Canada 

Mechanical Contractor Association of Canada 

MCAC 

www.mcac.ca 

Hungary 

Magyar Épületgépészek Szövetsége 

MEGSZ 

www.megsz.hu 

Slovakia 

Cech vykurovania a tepelnej techniky 

CVTT 

www.cvtt.sk 

USA 

Mechanical Contractors' Association of America 

MCAA 

http://www.mcaa.org 

Affiliate Members 

Scotland 

Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing 

Employers’ Federation 

SNIPEF 

http://www.snipef.org 

Sweden 

Platslageriernas Riksförbund 

PLR 

http://www.plr.se 

VVS – Installatörerna 

VVSI 

http://www.vvsi.se 


Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors 

APHC 

http://www.aphc.co.uk 

Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association 

H.V.C.A. 

http://www.hvca.org.uk 

Bulgaria 

Installers' Union of Bulgaria 

NIS 

www.nisbg.org 

Cyprus 

Mechanical Contractors Association of Cyprus 

Poland 

Polska Korporacja Techniki Sanitarnej, Grzewczej, 

Gazowej i Klimatyzacji 

SGGiK 

www.sggik.pl 

Ukraine 

International Association of thermo-energetic 

companies 

IATEC / MATEK 

www.matek.org.ua 

USA 

Mechanical Contractors' Association of Northern 

California 

NCMCA 

http://www.ncmca.net

Annual Report GCI UICP - ceetb

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