Indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air. In fact, indoor air can contain a host of fine particles, viruses, bacteria, etc. And this can have an impact on our health: allergies, headaches, lack of concentration, eye irritation and possibly asthma, lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. In Belgium, legislation aims to improve indoor air quality in enclosed spaces accessible to the public in order to protect public health. One of the ways in which this is being achieved is through the systematic use of CO2 -meters, initially on a voluntary basis.
 

Why CO2 meteRs?

CO2 is not a pollutant. However, it is easy to measure and is a good indicator of indoor air quality in places frequented by the public. This is because people exhale CO2 . This air contains aerosols that may be contaminated. This pollution of human origin is added to the pollutants already present in the air (due to activities, infrastructure, etc.). If the concentration of CO2 is too high, then the ventilation in the room is not optimal and the air is not being renewed sufficiently. A CO2 meter can therefore be used to measure indoor air quality.

 

A voluntary phase until 2027

Those responsible for enclosed spaces accessible to the public (i.e. spaces enclosed by walls and ceilings that are regularly used by the public) will be subject to obligations under the Law of 6 November 2022 on improving indoor air quality. However, an adaptation of the law has just been published (FR, NL). A voluntary participation phase will begin in October 2024. From 2027, mandatory measures will be introduced gradually. Operators can therefore already take steps to improve indoor air quality, and thus protect the health of their public and staff:

  • Equip yourself with an air quality measurement device (a CO2 meter);
  • Draw up a risk analysis assessing the sources of pollution and the state of air quality at the site;
  • Formulate a short-, medium- and long-term action plan to improve indoor air quality based on the results of this risk analysis.

The Royal Decree (RD) of 12 May 2024 (FR, NL), which has just been published in the Moniteur belge, gives further details on how to implement these measures. Once they have been applied in all the premises concerned, other provisions will be introduced, such as a system of certification and labels in enclosed premises accessible to the public.

No work without tools

To support and guide operators through this process, the FPS provides a series of tools.

  • A practical guide giving information on choosing and maintaining your CO2 -meter has already been published on the FPS website (FR, NL).

Other tools are also planned by the FPS on the same theme:

  • A "Risk Analysis & Action Plan" application to help operators draw up their risk analysis and the resulting action plan. This application and the accompanying manual will be available by the end of the year.
  • A list of air purification systems recognised by the FPS for their effectiveness against aerosol viruses and their safety. This list of devices and their characteristics will be accompanied by a practical guide to help users choose an air purification system suited to their specific situation and the level of indoor air quality they wish to achieve. Each recognised system will be awarded a label to indicate that it meets the recognition process. These tools will be available at during the summer of 2024.

To find out more about indoor air quality, click hier!