Standardisation has become one of the major challenges for the trades represented by GCIUICP. European standards are no longer limited to products but increasingly cover systems and services. GCI-UICP therefore decided to become directly involved in the most relevant standardization activities.

As a NORMAPME member, GCI-UICP can access all technical committees and working groups of the European standardisation bodies.

Standardisation under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

In the framework of directive 2002/91/EC, 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.

These 41 standards will strongly affect the work of mechanical contractors, as they have a major role to play in the directive's implementation. GCI-UICP therefore sends an expert to CEN/TC 156 (Ventilation in buildings) and TC 228 (Heating in buildings)

Participation in CEN technical committees:

•  CEN/TC 156 "Ventilation in buildings" (through NORMAPME)
•  CEN/TC 228 "Heating in buildings" (through NORMAPME)

Standardisation in the field of building automation

Intelligent buildings can significantly contribute to increasing energy efficiency and comfort and adapting buildings to handicapped and elderly people. GCI-UICP participates in the development of system standards in this area.

Expert: t.b.c.

Participation in CEN technical committees:

•  CEN/TC 247 "Building automation, controls and building management" (through NORMAPME)

Standardisation in the field of drinking water

CEN is developing standards on drinking water installations in buildings (EN 806.1-5, EN 1717) and related technical documents. These system standards have to be applied by plumbing contractors across Europe and GCI-UICP involvement in the drafting process is therefore indispensable.

Expert: Alejandro Martin (CC Sanitaire)

Participation in CEN technical committees:

•  CEN/TC 164 "Water supply" (through NORMAPME)

Documents and position papers:

•  GCI-UICP / NORMAPME comments on the "draft Recommendations for prevention of Legionella growth for installations inside buildings conveying water for human consumption"

Standardisation in the field of gas installations

CEN is involved in the drafting of standards relating to gas supply systems inside buildings, which represents an area of major interest to mechanical contractors.

This includes domestic buildings (EN 1775-2006 "Gas supply - Gas pipework for buildings - Maximum operating pressure less than or equal to 5 bar - Functional recommendations") and industrial buildings.

GCI-UICP also promotes the recognition of the recommendations on the safety of domestic gas installations, jointly developed with Marcogaz, as CEN technical report.

Expert: Pem Kubbe (UNETO-VNI))

Participation in CEN technical committees:

•  CEN/TC 234 "Gas supply" (through NORMAPME)

Standardisation in the field of energy services

CEN / CENELEC have 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. Many of these new activities are backed by mandates from the European Commission.

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 standards relating to Energy Services and white and green certificates.

Expert: Udo Wirges (ZVSHK)

Expert: Oliver Loebel (GCI-UICP)

Participation in CEN technical committees:

.  CEN/ CENELEC Sector Forum Energy Management (through NORMAPME)
.  CEN/ CENELEC Task force 189 PT 2 "ESCOs" (through NORMAPME)
.  CEN/ CENELEC Sector Forum Energy Management, subgroup "Certificates" (through NORMAPME)

Documents and position papers: (disponibles sur le site web du CEETB, section "technical matters)

.  Response of GCI-UICP / NORMAPME on the consultation of CEN / CENELEC regarding ESCOs
.  Possible Commission mandates for standards on energy management must take account of industry and client needs
.  Comments of NORMAPME and GCI-UICP (CEETB) on the preliminary draft of the ESCO standard

Integrated environmental performance of buildings

Based on a Commission mandate, CEN develops voluntary horizontal standardised methods for the assessment of sustainability aspects of new and existing construction works and standards for environmental product declarations. The work also includes aspects relating to the building life cycle and comfort. GCI-UICP has established liaison with TC 350 and provides input to the NORMAPME expert.

Documents and position papers: