Euralarm News

This year’s Euralarm international Industry Forum takes place on 21st June in Brussels. The forum Joins to discuss topical issues of the Fire and Security industries. This year’s topics include the Euralarm Strategy 2019-2024 followed by workshops on ‘International Standards and Trade’ and 'Is your business ready for the future?' Industry Forum This year's conference venue is the Double Tree by Hilton Brussels City in Brussels, Belgium. The Industry Forum will start wit...

Euralarm, the European association representing the electronic fire safety and security industry, has given feedback on the NLF. The association’s response to the questions of the European Commission was laid down in a Position Paper. Improvements Euralarm remains convinced that the New Approach and the New Legislative Framework (NLF) are the best tools to support the free movement of goods and the proper functioning of the European Single Market for Goods. The NLF in its broad set-up i...

Jon Könz, President of Euralarm, has been selected as a member of the CEN-CENELEC Industry Advisory Forum. The Industry Advisory Forum consists of 18 members who were selected, based on their particular experience and knowledge in the identified CEN-CENELEC Strategy 2030 areas and European Industrial Ecosystems. Industry Advisory Forum (IAF) Via the Industry Advisory Forum (IAF) high-level European industry representatives and CEN and CENELEC can have an open exchange on current standard...

Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic introduced the world to the concept of ‘the new normal’, nothing is normal anymore. A simple incident can be disastrous for something as vital as the supply chain, as one has seen with the blockage of the Suez Canal. The essence of that chain is to give companies the certainty that raw materials and components are available, in order to produce the finished goods. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdowns, and a high demand because of digit...

During the 51st General Assembly of Euralarm, the European association representing the fire safety and security industry, the members have chosen Jon Könz as new President of Euralarm. He succeeds Martin Harvey, who was President for the past three and half years. Before being elected President, Jon Könz was Chair of the Services Section of Euralarm. He is Head of Industry Affairs, at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. Euralarm’s 2021 General Assembly The 2021 General Assembly was...

Following a decision of its Board, Euralarm has welcomed its newest member Sitasys, the Swiss pioneer in alarm management, best-in-class finger-print identification, and secure communication. The company will join the services section of Euralarm. Sitasys will benefit from Euralarm’s services in terms of representation towards European institutions and standardisation organisations. This includes the monitoring of legislative and standardisation issues relevant to the industry. Sitasys w...

In 2013, the Technical Group False Alarms (TG FAS) of the Fire Section began its work to better understand the causes and the data behind false alarms in fire detection and fire alarm systems. Since then, the Technical Group published reports and in 2018 published Euralarm’s first book; a study on the data analysis and collection methodology in selected European countries. The TG FAS is in its final stages to publish an update of the study. On December 16th, the Technical Group will conduc...

Euralarm recently released a Position Paper on the EC proposal for a Regulation on Artificial Intelligence. The Position Paper follows some informal discussions with DG CONNECT and contains proposals on several articles in the Regulation on Artificial Intelligence. Following the release of the Position, Paper Euralarm spoke to Gabriele Mazzini, lawyer of DG Connect, and in the lead for the proposal. First-ever legal framework on AI When asked to briefly explain the Regulation on Artificial In...

Euralarm, representing the fire safety and security industry, has launched a new logo and website. The new website reflects Euralarm’s core values where the new logo signifies the industry that Euralarm represents – multi-faceted, diverse, challenging, connected, transparent and proactive. The new website is designed to present Euralarm’s expertise and leadership for the industry, market, policymakers, and standards bodies. It features a clean and responsive modern design, enh...

Euralarm’s Services Section reports an important step forward for service providers and end-users of remote services: the very positive vote on the EN 50710, requirements for the provision of secure remote services for fire safety systems and security systems. The successful vote is the icing on the cake of the section’s efforts to guarantee more certainty for a future in which remote services play an increasingly important role. Secure remote services Jon Könz, Chair of Eura...

Following a decision of its Board, Euralarm has welcomed its newest member Viking, a dependable partner in fire protection with almost 100 years of experience. The company will join the Extinguishing Section of Euralarm. The Extinguishing Section represents the active fire extinguishing sector and covers existing, new, and emerging technologies, covering automatic extinguishing systems using gas, water, foam, powder and aerosols, oxygen reduction systems, portable equipment, and other manual me...

EUSAS recently organised a successful online European Conference on the topic ‘Artificial intelligence in fire detection and security – without the hype’. It showed once again the importance of technological development for an industry endeavoured to protect lives with particular relevance to the fire and security industry. The conference opened with a discussion on what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is. The general concepts as well as the history and starting blocks of AI were...

Euralarm, the globally renowned fire and security solutions organisation, has announced support for a resolution of the European Parliament that asks for quick solutions from the European Commission to improve the standardisation of construction products, while also pushing for a transition to a sustainable and more circular economy. Standardisation of products MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) have recently called in the resolution, adopted with 686 votes in favour (4 votes against an...

Euralarm congratulates the Portuguese EU Council Presidency and fully supports the Presidency's objectives of supporting the European Single Market and leading the European Union towards a more resilient, global, greener, fair and more digital society. Since 1970, the association has worked hard to contribute to the European ideals by representing the interests of the fire safety and security industry in the areas of standardisation development and legislation. Over the past years, Euralarm has...

The Open Security & Safety Alliance (OSSA), an industry body comprised of stakeholders from all facets of the security, safety and building automation space, announced it has joined Euralarm, the association of European manufacturers, installers and service providers from the electronic fire safety and security industry. By joining the Security Section within Euralarm, OSSA will contribute valuable expertise in the domain of Internet of Things (IoT), while leveraging on Euralarm’s pro...

Euralarm, the European association of the fire safety and security industry, has commented on the upcoming delegated act (DA) for internet-connected and wearable radio equipment, as part of the Radio Equipment Directive. The comments and proposals are given in view of the activation of the delegated act pursuant to article 3(3) of the RED (d, e and f) and cover the scope of the delegated act, the definition of ‘internet-connected devices’ and the implementation period. Relevant tec...

Following a decision of its Board, Euralarm has welcomed its newest member Verisure, the renowned European provider of professionally monitored security systems. The company will join both the Security and Services Section of Euralarm. Monitoring standardisation issues Verisure will now benefit from Euralarm’s services in terms of representation towards European institutions and standardisation organisations. This includes the monitoring of legislative and standardisation issues relevant...

CertAlarm, an organisation offering a pan-European quality mark in the fire protection and security systems industry, has appointed Dr. Benoît Stockbroeckx as new Chair of its Technical Advisory Group (TAG). The TAG is CertAlarm’s organ to provide technical guidance on issues such as the interpretation of the respective standards or on the monitoring of the competence and integrity of the participating certification bodies and test laboratories. Dr. Benoît Stockbroeckx, who is...

Vanderbilt has recently been welcomed as the latest member of Euralarm, joining the security section of the board. Euralarm’s security section This section represents the intrusion, access, and video sector and is a key stakeholder in organisations such as CertAlarm, CEN-CENELEC, IEC, and the European Commission. “As the newest member of Euralarm, Vanderbilt looks forward to working with a diverse number of stakeholders across the European continent. We are particularly looking fo...

The Radio Equipment Directive which is applicable for most wireless equipment also in the fire and security industry looks to be prepared for an update where cyber security requirements will become part of the directive and with that part of the CE-marking. While Euralarm supports the need for increased cyber security, the fire and security industry will preferably support a horizontal cyber security regulation. Nevertheless, if embedded in the RED, Euralarm wants to ensure that the technical a...

Following a decision of its Board, Euralarm has welcomed its newest member, Vanderbilt. The company will join the Security Section of Euralarm. The Security Section represents the intrusion, access and video sector and is key stakeholder in organisations such as CertAlarm, CEN-CENELEC, IEC and the European Commission. Euralarm’s Security Section Together with a diverse number of stakeholders in Europe, the Security Section collaborates on finding solutions to meet present and future chal...

Now that Europe is taking the first steps towards economic and social recovery after the COVID-19 crisis, it is also time to rethink the future. European politicians and institutions are now joining forces to present a recovery plan that builds on existing plans and ambitions to make the society healthier, more environmentally friendly, more energy efficient and safer. Euralarm calls on policymakers to take measures to increase the security of renovated buildings and to strengthen the cohesion...

The COVID-19 crisis causes a burden for companies that have to finish their testing and certification programs because of standards that will be superseded. Examples are the EN 60950-1:2006 and EN 60065 that are used for conformity testing of fire and security products for the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. Euralarm, therefore, urges to postpone the end date of the co-existence period of the EN 60950-1:2006 and EN 60065 with nine months. Test houses and notified bodies affected by COVID-19...

Euralarm released a communiqué with recommendations on updating National Codes (like a Building Code, Fire Code, etc.) when new Standards become available. Ratification of Standards The development of new or revised standards follows a certain process that is finalised with the ratification of the standard by the standardisation body (CEN, CENELEC, etc.). Following the ratification, there are dates that the new or revised standard is available, announced and published followed by a date...

The professional team of Euralarm has been strengthened with two new Technical Managers. Michael Scharnowsky has been appointed Technical Manager of the Fire and Extinguishing sections; Benoit Stockbroeckx will be the new Technical Manager for the Security and Services sections. Michael Scharnowsky is well-known within Euralarm. In recent years he has amongst others held the position of chairman of the marketing committee and represented Hekatron within the Fire section. Michael has a long trac...

IFSEC hosts globally renowned security content and events, with shows in the United Kingdom, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and the Philippines. Soon, the IFSEC brand will extend into mainland Europe with the launch of IFSEC Europe, a brand-new biennial security event providing a new gateway to the European integrated security market. Taking place for the first time on 20-22 September 2021 at RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, IFSEC Europe will create a pan-European home for i...

Confederation of European Security Services, CoESS and Euralarm have published a joint brochure on cyber security. The first copy of the brochure ‘Cyber security - Threat or Opportunity? It’s up to you!’ was launched during the General Assembly of CoESS held on 11 October in Rome. Cyber security breaks up the borders between product development, design, installation, operational continuity and alarm response. The guidelines highlight that when addressing cyber security, it is...

Many Euralarm members and other interested people gathered on May 13th, 2019 in Madrid for the annual Euralarm Symposium. It was the moment that Euralarm presented its priorities and challenges for the upcoming years. General Director Paul van der Zanden introduced Euralarm’s new strategy document for 2019 to 2024 to the audience by putting it into perspective with the developments within Brussels. Fire safety and security industry There is so much going on in Brussels that is not commun...

During the section meetings following the Euralarm General Assembly, Joakim Söderström has been appointed chairman of the Security Section. As chairman he will also join the board of Euralarm as Vice President. Following in the footsteps of David Wilkinson, he will continue the journey that the section started. Milan Ceeh, vice chairman of the section and representative of the Czech association AGA will remain in his position. Security solutions expert Joakim Söderström is...

After the successful study and publication of its book ‘False Alarm Study’, the Fire Division of Euralarm recently decided to continue the study and ask its Technical Group False Alarms (TG False Alarms) as to how the reduction of false alarms can be further progressed. A new European standard might be one of the proposals. Studying false alarms in fire detection  False alarms from fire detection and fire alarm systems is a topic that Euralarm’s Technical Group False Ala...