Mind the EPBD Harmonization Gap!

Mind the EPBD Harmonization Gap!
New fire risks from electrification 
and renovation of buildings

3 October 2025  I  09:00 – 13:00
University Foundation, Meeting Room A, 
Rue d' Egmont 11, 1000 Brussels
(on-site, in-person event)

The upcoming event will address the growing challenges linked to fire safety as Europe advances its goals of building renovation and electrification. With an emphasis on the gaps in harmonization within current building directives, the speakers will present how new technologies, sustainable solutions, and large-scale retrofitting efforts introduce new fire risks. By bringing together experts from research, policy, and industry, the program seeks to shed light on the preparedness of stakeholders, the adequacy of current testing methods, and the broader implications for consumer protection and public safety. 

Throughout the half-day event, discussions will cover a wide spectrum of critical issues, from the risks tied to façade materials and energy storage systems to the evolving challenges faced by insurers and regulators. Key sessions will highlight the tension between innovation and safety, highlighting the urgent need for reliable data, regulatory clarity, and cross-sector collaboration. By examining both technical and policy perspectives, the event aims to foster a deeper understanding of how Europe can balance its climate ambitions with the essential requirement of safeguarding people and buildings against emerging fire hazards so that EPBD goals can be implemented faster, safer and in a more just manner, all which is in the interest of EU member states and their citizens.

Take a look at the programme here.

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