TLoraine
19th Oct 2020, 08:52
19 October 2020
European Workers & Passengers Welcome the Completion of the Standard on Aircraft Cabin Air Quality
A diverse group, representing pilots, cabin crew, trade unions and passengers (1), have today called upon the European Union & its Institutions, The European Parliament and an Executive Agency of the European Union, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), to support the conclusion of and to promote the draft Standard on Aircraft Cabin Air Quality – prEN17436 “Cabin Air Quality on Civil Aircraft – Chemical Compounds” under development in CEN (2)
Since 2015, this group has joined with an equally diverse group, representing Aviation interests (including aircraft and component manufacturers, airlines) and standard-setting experts, from across Europe to create this draft cabin air quality Standard. It replaces two disputed and now repealed cabin air quality documents (EN4618:2009 and prEN4666) which had been drafted by an association representing the European aerospace industry (ASD-STAN).
The new draft Standard includes measures to prevent exposure to engine oil and hydraulic fumes onboard aircraft during commercial flights. The potential for exposure to these fumes is well documented. The issues of contaminated air arise principally from the design and maintenance of the bleed-air ventilation system which supplies air to the cabin and flight deck which has first been compressed in either the engine or auxiliary power unit compressor (APU).
The work on the draft Standard has been long and arduous, but the group acknowledges and is pleased that a good sustainable consensus has been achieved between all the stakeholders involved in this work. The Stakeholders recognise the fact that Europe offers a framework of standardisation where the needs and concerns of both industrial and societal stakeholders are reflected. .
As the draft Standard travels toward the next step of approval, before publication, the group believes that benefits for all stakeholders will not just come from cleaner air, but also from a Global recognition that the European Standard produces a unique and comprehensive approach to this historic problem. If adopted by airlines, further benefits will accrue through reduced complaints on air quality, lower rates of sick-leave taken as a result of any exposure to contaminated air, a reduction in downtime of aircraft to deal with defects within the engines, APU and air conditioning system, all leading to good cost savings for any airline.
The draft Standard pulls together the disparate nature of current Aviation Standards on Cabin Air Quality, into one rule-making document, thereby producing a definitive Standard that energises and innovates current Regulation. The Standard also addresses recommendations from European and international aircraft accident investigation agencies intended to prevent pilot impairment caused by breathing oil fumes onboard. If adopted, it will not only aid the Regulator (EASA) in their enforcement role, but it also presents an opportunity for innovation, whilst supporting the obligations of the Single Market; it is a watershed moment for European Aviation Safety!
It is the group’s opinion, that the draft Standard also supports the overall vision of the ‘Next Generation EU’ (3), delivering access to funding for the rapid development of engineering and operational solutions found within this Standard, along with creating the conditions for European Aviation to deliver a world-class flight experience, whilst delivering on Employee and Consumer expectations, thus securing the objectives of the Single Market.
The group provides the following statement:
“This standard represents what can be accomplished when experts from every side of the cabin air issue collaborate within a structured and balanced framework. We have valued the opportunity to work alongside our industry and standard-setting colleagues to develop this standard which, if implemented, will facilitate the supply of clean ventilation air to the passenger cabin and flight deck and, in doing so, will improve both the flight experience and flight safety . The document is approaching its final stage and we hope that it will be universally approved and adopted into the lexicon of Aviation Standards(4). We believe that the new Standard provides a world-beating reference on how to manage the issue of contaminated air on aircraft and not only stands above current Standards Regulation, but that it will deliver continued stakeholder consultation, innovation, solutions and benefits for all. We call on the European Commission & its Institutions, the European Parliament and EASA, to formally recognise the value of the work carried out by a diverse range of Stakeholders, and to ultimately promote the benefits of the Standard to manufacturers, airlines, employees and passengers”.
General Secretary: Livia Spera
European Transport Workers Federation
Confederal Secretary: Isabelle Schömann
European Trade Union Confederation
Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE)
Spokesperson: Captain Tristan Loraine
Independent Consumer Campaigner
Frank Brehany
European Workers & Passengers Welcome the Completion of the Standard on Aircraft Cabin Air Quality
A diverse group, representing pilots, cabin crew, trade unions and passengers (1), have today called upon the European Union & its Institutions, The European Parliament and an Executive Agency of the European Union, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), to support the conclusion of and to promote the draft Standard on Aircraft Cabin Air Quality – prEN17436 “Cabin Air Quality on Civil Aircraft – Chemical Compounds” under development in CEN (2)
Since 2015, this group has joined with an equally diverse group, representing Aviation interests (including aircraft and component manufacturers, airlines) and standard-setting experts, from across Europe to create this draft cabin air quality Standard. It replaces two disputed and now repealed cabin air quality documents (EN4618:2009 and prEN4666) which had been drafted by an association representing the European aerospace industry (ASD-STAN).
The new draft Standard includes measures to prevent exposure to engine oil and hydraulic fumes onboard aircraft during commercial flights. The potential for exposure to these fumes is well documented. The issues of contaminated air arise principally from the design and maintenance of the bleed-air ventilation system which supplies air to the cabin and flight deck which has first been compressed in either the engine or auxiliary power unit compressor (APU).
The work on the draft Standard has been long and arduous, but the group acknowledges and is pleased that a good sustainable consensus has been achieved between all the stakeholders involved in this work. The Stakeholders recognise the fact that Europe offers a framework of standardisation where the needs and concerns of both industrial and societal stakeholders are reflected. .
As the draft Standard travels toward the next step of approval, before publication, the group believes that benefits for all stakeholders will not just come from cleaner air, but also from a Global recognition that the European Standard produces a unique and comprehensive approach to this historic problem. If adopted by airlines, further benefits will accrue through reduced complaints on air quality, lower rates of sick-leave taken as a result of any exposure to contaminated air, a reduction in downtime of aircraft to deal with defects within the engines, APU and air conditioning system, all leading to good cost savings for any airline.
The draft Standard pulls together the disparate nature of current Aviation Standards on Cabin Air Quality, into one rule-making document, thereby producing a definitive Standard that energises and innovates current Regulation. The Standard also addresses recommendations from European and international aircraft accident investigation agencies intended to prevent pilot impairment caused by breathing oil fumes onboard. If adopted, it will not only aid the Regulator (EASA) in their enforcement role, but it also presents an opportunity for innovation, whilst supporting the obligations of the Single Market; it is a watershed moment for European Aviation Safety!
It is the group’s opinion, that the draft Standard also supports the overall vision of the ‘Next Generation EU’ (3), delivering access to funding for the rapid development of engineering and operational solutions found within this Standard, along with creating the conditions for European Aviation to deliver a world-class flight experience, whilst delivering on Employee and Consumer expectations, thus securing the objectives of the Single Market.
The group provides the following statement:
“This standard represents what can be accomplished when experts from every side of the cabin air issue collaborate within a structured and balanced framework. We have valued the opportunity to work alongside our industry and standard-setting colleagues to develop this standard which, if implemented, will facilitate the supply of clean ventilation air to the passenger cabin and flight deck and, in doing so, will improve both the flight experience and flight safety . The document is approaching its final stage and we hope that it will be universally approved and adopted into the lexicon of Aviation Standards(4). We believe that the new Standard provides a world-beating reference on how to manage the issue of contaminated air on aircraft and not only stands above current Standards Regulation, but that it will deliver continued stakeholder consultation, innovation, solutions and benefits for all. We call on the European Commission & its Institutions, the European Parliament and EASA, to formally recognise the value of the work carried out by a diverse range of Stakeholders, and to ultimately promote the benefits of the Standard to manufacturers, airlines, employees and passengers”.
General Secretary: Livia Spera
European Transport Workers Federation
Confederal Secretary: Isabelle Schömann
European Trade Union Confederation
Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE)
Spokesperson: Captain Tristan Loraine
Independent Consumer Campaigner
Frank Brehany