ZVO commissions new agency for European policy
The ZVO is fundamentally reorganizing its European policy activities in order to further strengthen the association's political influence at European level. To this end, on 1 January it commissioned EPPA, an agency specializing in EU policy, to coordinate its European policy activities.
After many years of trustful cooperation with its previous public affairs agency, the Zentralverband Oberflächentechnik e.V. (ZVO) has decided to commission the specialized agency EPPA for its European policy. In particular, the aim is to intervene earlier and in a more targeted manner in regulatory processes that are of central importance to the member companies. The appointment of Lukas Hanstein as Head of Policy was a key impetus for this strategic realignment. At the same time, the ZVO Executive Board has formulated a clear desire not only to accompany European policy developments, but also to play a much earlier, more direct and more structured role in shaping them in future. The increasing density of regulation at EU level, particularly in the areas of environmental, chemicals and industrial policy, makes such a proactive approach absolutely essential. In future, the cooperation with EPPA will coordinate European policy activities in close collaboration with Lukas Hanstein and Dr. Malte-Matthias Zimmer and in close consultation with the ZVO Executive Board.
Powerful representation of the ZVO's interests in Brussels
EPPA (European Public Policy Advisers Partnership) has many years of experience in European chemical, environmental and industrial policy and has been supporting companies and associations from chemical-related industries in Brussels for many years. This professional depth, combined with a robust network in the Parliament, Commission and subordinate authorities, forms a central basis for the new cooperation. The aim of the realignment is, in particular, to get involved in politically decisive processes at a much earlier stage. Procedures such as REACH revisions or the design of BREF documents often have an impact at a very early stage - long before formal consultations begin. This is where the ZVO will focus more strongly in future: through early political contact, targeted placement of arguments and continuous monitoring of the relevant dossiers. By realigning its European policy, the ZVO is responding to the growing challenges facing surface technology in Europe.