ELA Newsletter Spring-Summer 2025

A word from the President

I would like to open this Spring edition by recalling the recent meetings with the Board of the Irish association “ILEA” (also attended by representatives of LEIA), as well as ELA’s participation in the trade fairs held in Istanbul (Asansör) and London (Liftex).

In March, an important meeting took place in China to strengthen our collaboration with the China Elevator Association (CEA) and our partners in Asian countries.

In April, I convened the members of the World Elevator and Escalator Federation (WEEF) in Frankfurt, where we were joined by new members from the United States (NAEC) and India (EECMAI). It was a highly engaging meeting, allowing to focus on areas of joint interest at a global level.

At the European level, our dialogue with EFESME continues, with safety becoming an increasingly central theme in our respective activities.

Our General Assembly took place in Warsaw on 21 May, hosted by PALM, alongside our annual conference, of which this year’s theme focused on modernization—a particularly complex issue that will continue to require our dedicated efforts in the coming years.

As the Polish Presidency of the European Union comes to an end, the upcoming six-month Presidency (July–December) appears poised to prioritise industry and environmental policy. I wish Denmark every success in this endeavour.

I also wish you an enjoyable read of this newsletter—and, above all, my very best wishes for the upcoming summer holidays.

New faces at the Board

New ELA Committees & WG members

• Frank Roussel (VSA), new Chair of the Digitalization & Cybersecurity Committee
• Ana Belen Piazuelo (FEEDA), new member of the Components Committee
• Claude Diot (EEA), new member of the Digitalization & Cybersecurity Committee
• Christella Herzog (VFA-Interlift), new member of the Safety, Education & Training Committee
• Timothy Neefs (AGORIA), new member of the TELCO WG
• Vicente Pacheco (FEEDA), new member of the Digitalization & Cybersecurity Committee
• Zigor Salvador (EEA), new member of the DATA WG
• Robert Verspuy (VLR), new member of the Digitalization & Cybersecurity Committee and DATA WG
• Peipei Wang (VFA-Interlift), new member of the DATA WG

ELA General Assembly & Conference 21 & 22 May 2025 – Warsaw

In an atmosphere made even more engaging by Poland’s Presidency of the European Union, which is set to conclude at the end of June, the annual events of our Associations were held in Warsaw. Important decisions were taken by the respective General Assemblies on the day preceding the Annual Conference, which this year focused on the theme of “modernization”. Following the opening remarks by the Chair of ELA and representatives of the host association (PALM), the Conference featured contributions from representatives of the European Commission (DG Grow and DG Energy), the China Elevator Association, and the Polish representative of UDT (Technical Inspection Office). As always, ELA experts, divided into the four main working sessions, presented their work and technical insights on key issues related to modernization to a large and attentive audience. Our Chair Wim Koster concluded the proceedings by inviting everyone to Rotterdam for next year’s events. The elegant gala dinner provided an excellent opportunity for participants to exchange impressions, comments, and evaluations in a warm and convivial atmosphere.

SRI Promotion Video

Discover the SRI Promotion Video prepared by our SRI Working Group.

ELA White Paper on Modernization

One significant and recent outcome from the SAEL Working Group, with the support of the Codes & Standards Committee, has been the publication of the ELA White Paper on Modernization as well as its executive summary.

These documents explain why and how modernizing existing lifts in buildings supports a green, digital and resilient European Single Market.

With the population in Europe steadily aging, accessibility and mobility within buildings represent a strong driver for modernization, with particular emphasis on inclusiveness and quality of life aspects.

Lift owners are urged to take action to modernize their existing lifts to prevent accidents, further advance accessibility for elderly and people with disabilities and improve the overall energy efficiency of their buildings.

Although new state-of-the-art lifts will continue to be installed in newly constructed buildings, replacing every existing lift with a new one might not be a sustainable nor cost-effective solution. Modernizing existing units may be a much more sustainable option, and can generate significant social, environmental, and economic benefits – for individuals, the society at large, as well as our planet.

Many solutions are available on the market to upgrade the stock of existing lifts, contributing to enhance their safety, to ensure better accessibility for all the users, and to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings.

Asansör İstanbul | 15-18 May 2025 – 19TH INTERNATIONAL LIFT EXHIBITION

The most significant edition in terms of attendance—both visitors and exhibitors—took place in Istanbul last May. Our Association was present both at the opening celebrations of the fair, with a message delivered directly by the Chair Wim Koster, and in the following days through presentations given by ELA experts. Several EEA members were also present with their own stands, alongside numerous representatives of AYSAD, with whom strong collaboration and synergy continue to be reaffirmed.

LIFTEX 2025 | 11 – 12 June 2025 – 37TH EDITION