The invisible urgency of air quality

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09/04/2025
2 minutes
Awareness Wetgeving,

Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, attention to air quality in the hospitality sector seems to be fading. The article in Belgian newspaper ‘Het Nieuwsblad’ perfectly illustrates how initiatives to improve air quality gradually lose momentum. Venues like Grand Café Industrie in Leuven rightly invested in air purification systems to protect both customers and staff. Yet, once the immediate threat subsided, these investments are often forgotten.

During the pandemic, ventilation and air purification topped the priority list. Today, we see a decline in awareness and action — and not just in hospitality. However, clean air is not a temporary luxury; it is a lasting necessity. At InsightAir, we see it as our mission to keep this crucial topic on the agenda.

Air quality: legislation and guidelines

Recent legislation (December 10, 2023) aims to improve indoor air quality in enclosed public spaces. Operators must carry out a risk analysis, install a CO₂ monitor, and develop an action plan to optimize air quality. Starting January 1, 2025, it will be mandatory to obtain a certificate and display a visible label at the entrance, informing visitors about the air quality. With these measures, Belgium is positioning itself as a European frontrunner in air quality regulation.


Reflections on current legislation

Air quality is a complex matter. Current regulations focus heavily on CO₂. Yet low CO₂ levels do not automatically mean the air is healthy. Intensive ventilation can reduce CO₂ but may increase fine particles or nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), which are equally harmful. Air quality depends on multiple parameters. That’s why expert advice is essential to ensure truly healthy indoor air.


From reactive to proactive policy in companies

We urge business leaders and policymakers not to forget the lessons of the pandemic and to proactively take action — even if the law does not yet apply to companies. Ongoing investments in air quality are not a luxury, but a smart choice for the future. Clean air is a basic condition for hospitality, health, and safety.

InsightAir starts by performing precise air quality measurements to get a clear picture of your building’s indoor environment. Based on this data, they carry out a risk analysis and identify the key areas of concern. Next, they create a targeted improvement plan with practical advice to structurally optimize air quality.

Let’s raise the standard together — because clean air is vital, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

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