This focussed activity will proceed within the broader framework of

• health and comfort of the citizens,
• building technologies and source controls, and
• requirements of sustainability, energy efficiency and conservation of natural resources.

Specific examples of the working areas of ECA are:

Over the last few years, the number of experts and trainees from candidate/accession countries included in some ECA activities is progressively increasing and is designed to spread excellence (through Workshops, Training Courses, etc) and to create capacity building, knowledge transfer and training in those countries.

The inter- and multidisciplinary research area of indoor exposure and health in EU and worldwide covers practical and scientific aspects ranging from technical to medical research disciplines. The overall scientific area can be split into six areas of special focus:

1. exposure measurements,
2. health effects,
3. buildings science and design,
4. exposure modeling,
5. indoor air quality control and
6. exposure risk assessment and management.

Through its activities in the field of indoor human exposure and health, the ECA Network (coordinated and managed by the JRC/IHCP/PCE Unit): (a) provides scientific and technical reference for policy making in the EC, (b) contributes to the integration of research efforts in Europe, (c) ensures capacity building, knowledge dissemination and sharing in EU Member States, the Accession Countries and beyond (for example in 2001 China set up guidelines concerning formaldehyde emissions from wood based materials on the basis of the ECA Reports).

The ECA Steering Committee (coordinated and managed by the JRC/IHCP/PCE Unit) consists of 33 distinguished scientists from 15 EU countries States (plus Norway and Switzerland), WHO and the European Commission. During the 18 years of its operation more than 100 scientists of leading European Institutions have contributed to its activities through their participation in various WGs, prepared and delivered 23 state of the art reports which have been distributed to more than 1400 addresses in Europe and worldwide.

The inter- and multidisciplinary research area of indoor exposure and health in EU and worldwide covers practical and scientific aspects ranging from technical to medical research disciplines. The overall scientific area can be split into six areas of special focus: (a) exposure measurements, (b) health effects, (c) buildings science and design, (d) exposure modeling, (e) indoor air quality control and (f) exposure risk assessment and management.

The inter- and multidisciplinary research area of indoor exposure and health in EU and worldwide covers practical and scientific aspects ranging from technical to medical research disciplines. The overall scientific area can be split into six areas of special focus: (a) exposure measurements, (b) health effects, (c) buildings science and design, (d) exposure modeling, (e) indoor air quality control and (f) exposure risk assessment and management.