Indoor Air as a Fundamental Right: What the EVIA Manifesto 2024 Calls For

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Air Quality Is More Than a Technical Detail

Many people see air quality as a technical issue that lies somewhere between filter classes and ventilation rates. The EVIA Manifesto 2024 takes a different view: it is about fundamental rights. European trade associations such as the European Ventilation Industry Association (EVIA) state that clean indoor air should be protected just as much as clean outdoor air. The reasoning is clear: we spend a large part of our lives inside buildings, and the air there can be more heavily contaminated than outside with chemicals, fine particles, mold spores and pathogens.

Indoors Is Not Always Better: High Pollution Behind Closed

Doors

The manifesto explains that concentrations of pollutants in buildings are often higher than in the outside air. This gap arises from sources such as furniture, carpets, cleaning products and insufficient ventilation. While the EU sets clear limits for outdoor air and regularly monitors them, comparable regulations for indoor spaces are patchy or nonexistent. EVIA stresses that this creates an imbalance: people should not risk their health indoors when they can breathe freely outside.

Demands of the Manifesto: Inspections and Clear Standards

To correct this imbalance, the manifesto calls for several specific measures:

• Indoor air as a fundamental right: The EU should explicitly state that people are entitled to clean indoor air. This right would be comparable to the right to clean drinking water.

• Binding limits: Clear, Europe‑wide limits for CO₂, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants should be introduced. These limits should apply to schools, offices, residential buildings and public facilities.

• Mandatory inspections: Ventilation systems should be inspected regularly, much like heating systems have been inspected for many years. The goal is to identify and repair inefficient or contaminated systems early on.

• Mechanical ventilation systems: Buildings, especially new constructions and major renovations, should be equipped with mechanical ventilation systems that provide a defined air exchange.

  
  

These demands are aligned with scientific findings. Higher air exchange rates and effective filtration reduce the risk of respiratory diseases and improve performance and well‑being. The manifesto also refers to existing legal frameworks such as the recasted Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which already requires inspections of ventilation systems. EVIA wants these requirements to be applied consistently to all buildings.

Why This Matters and Who It Concerns

For building owners, employers and facility managers the manifesto serves as a wake‑up call. Good indoor air is not just a bonus; it is increasingly becoming a regulatory obligation. Those who invest now in modern ventilation systems and reliable filters protect their employees and customers, comply with future regulations and increase the value of their property.

The investment also pays off financially. Poor air quality leads to sick days and reduced productivity. Studies estimate the costs to businesses in the billions. Investments in clean air therefore pay for themselves quickly.

Looking Ahead: Clean Air as a European Standard

The EVIA Manifesto is more than a position paper; it is an appeal to lawmakers, businesses and the public to take indoor air seriously. If the EU adopts these demands and establishes uniform standards for air quality in buildings, everyone will benefit — from pupils in classrooms and employees in offices to vulnerable groups in hospitals and care facilities.

The discussion will gain momentum in the coming years. Now is the right time to review your own ventilation technology and consider solutions such as modern mechanical ventilation systems and high‑efficiency filters. Those who prepare are not only protecting people’s health but also securing the long‑term success of their buildings and their businesses.