Paris, 11th March 2026

On 10th–11th March 2026, the 40th Solar Keymark Network meeting took place in Paris, hosted by Eurovent Certita Certification at the AFNOR premises. The hybrid meeting, chaired by SKN Chairman Andreas Bohren and SKN Manager Vasiliki Drosou, gathered representatives from Certification Bodies, Test Laboratories, inspection bodies, and industry stakeholders involved in the Solar Keymark scheme, to review ongoing developments and discuss improvements to the ST certification framework. This meeting was also the occasion to formally introduce the new Keymark Management Organisation (KMO), ETICS, represented by Bence Thurnay.

The two-day meeting combined general discussions with dedicated technical sessions. Participants reviewed the minutes and outcomes of the previous meeting and received updates on the Solar Keymark Scheme Rules, as well as recent decisions adopted through circular voting. These included several updates to annexes related to collectors, physical inspection reports, and photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems, reflecting the continued evolution of certification requirements.

Discussions also covered strategic topics such as the future development of the Solar Keymark Network, improvements to the Solar Keymark database, communication and marketing initiatives, and the lifetime assessment of certified solar products. Participants also addressed the interaction between certification and evolving European regulations and directives affecting solar heating and cooling technologies, regularly monitored by Solar Heat Europe (SK Secretariat). In addition, the meeting addressed proposals related to communication with certificate holders and reviewed funding recommendations from the Solar Certification Fund for new technical projects supporting the scheme.

The two technical sessions focused on improving testing and documentation procedures. One session examined how to better record the internal configuration of solar thermal products during initial testing, while another explored developments in the testing of PVT systems. Additional exchanges addressed topics such as updates to performance calculation tools, the use of equivalent materials, and proposed corrections to testing procedures for solar collectors.

Participants also received updates on international collaboration and standardisation activities, including developments within CEN and ISO technical committees, as well as reports from related initiatives and projects in the solar heating and cooling sector.

The meeting concluded with a review of upcoming activities and future meetings, with the next Solar Keymark Network gathering scheduled to take place online in October 2026.