AREA has announced that CRACA, the Croatian Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association, and EKL, the Estonian Refrigeration Association, became members on 9th May at the AREA General Assembly spring meeting in Stockholm.

AREA now has 22 members in 19 countries.

CRACA was created three years ago with the aim of contributing to the improvement of the HVC&R and heat pump sector in Croatia, where technology and legislation are developing considerably. CRACA working areas include collaboration with public authorities on regulations and standards, lifelong learning, F-gas certification, technical support, international collaboration…

President of CRACA, Tonko Curko, said: 'AREA and CRACA share a mission and objectives. AREA is the best forum to exchange ideas, knowledge and experience and also to be at the source of market information.'

EKL counts 30 members and is active on standardisation (Estonian Centre for Standardisation), qualifications (Estonian Qualification Authority) and education (Tallinn Industrial Education Centre). It also cooperates closely with the Estonian Ministry of the Environment. After taking part in the AREA autumn meeting last year in Nuremberg, EKL decided to apply for membership.

EKL president Imre Soorand said: 'Membership in AREA will enhance EKL’s international profile.'.

Per Jonasson, AREA president, added: 'I am delighted to have CRACA and EKL within our membership. AREA’s network continues to grow and now includes 22 member associations spreading over 19 European countries, 18 of which are in the EU'.

www.area-eur.be