As many other production sectors, the lifting systems sector has been affected over the last few decades by a progressive expansion of the European Union competences in defining the regulatory framework in which companies operate.
This process reached its completion with Directive 95/16/EC of 29 June 1995 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts, known as the Lifts Directive.
To effectively protect the interests of European small and medium-sized enterprises in the lift sector, Anacam has initiated contacts with trade associations operating in some European countries since the early 90's, with the aim of creating a representative body within the institutions of the European Community.
A first step was taken by joining EBC (European Builders Confederation) which immediately offered a deep-rooted presence at European level, a knowledge of the European system as a whole and, albeit in a parallel sector, a series of contacts and relationships in the vast world of European SME organizations.
It was also thanks to this political "springboard" that ANACAM began to work closely with NORMAPME, the organization that used to SMEs in the European standardization process. A collaboration that has resulted in the constant participation of an ANACAM expert in the meetings of the CEN / TC10 working groups.
Consequently, the conditions for setting up a new entity at European level have developed. In addition to having immediately united at national level with ANICA and Confartigianato, ANACAM has established a relationship of mutual collaboration and trust with two associations, the Belgian FAI and the Dutch NLB. Both are the expression of small markets where the market share held by SMEs is much lower than the Italian market. They are strongly motivated and cohesive in working to create, at the European community level, conditions allowing the preservation of the role of small and medium-sized lift companies.
The efforts of these associations resulted in the creation of EFESME in April 2005: the "European Federation for Elevator Small and Medium-sized Enterprises". The charter of the new federation was published in the Official Gazette of the Kingdom of Belgium on April 18, 2005.
The voice of artisans and SMEs in the European lift sector
EFESME, together with its members and experts, carries out a wide range of activities in support of SMEs, not only from a technical and regulatory point of view. The areas in which EFESME is currently involved include the defence and promotion of SMEs in the technical and regulatory field, digitalisation and cybersecurity in the lift sector, as well as a constant commitment to developing SME-friendly standards and regulations and encouraging greater participation by SMEs.
ANACAM is one of the founding associations of EFESME and is an essential part of EFESME, both with its technical experts for regulatory activities and with its management for institutional and representative matters.
Other activities involving the Federation, which will form the basis for future projects in the coming years, are set out in the EFESME Manifesto 2024-2029:
For further information, visit the Manifesto page
EFESME is the voice of European SMEs in the lift sector, representing and defending the interests of companies operating in the lift sector at EU level.
EFESME Committees
Technical Experts Commitee
EFESME's technical experts meet regularly to jointly define the Federation's technical position in support of European SMEs in the lift sector within the most relevant European and international working groups.
Digital Working Group
In light of the growing importance of digitalisation for SMEs in the lift sector, EFESME's Digital Working Group allows technical experts and members of the Federation to discuss this crucial issue.
Coordination Committee
The Coordination Committee is responsible for providing overall guidance on the Federation's various policies and activities, relying on the active participation of the various elected representatives and the Brussels office.
For more information:
- Luca Incoronato, Policy Officer
incoronato@efesme.org - Ivan Ferrarini, Expert
ferrarini@efesme.org - Elettra Bilibio, Policy Advisor
secretariat@efesme.org
