INFORMATION FROM THE EPO
Renovation of the Isar building of the European Patent Office
The Isar building (Erhardtstrasse 27, 80469 Munich) is scheduled to undergo extensive renovation from 15 November 2008 to 1 December 2010. The work will mainly consist in modernising technical installations, but materials containing asbestos are to be removed from the air-conditioning systems at the same time.
The work will be carried out in accordance with very strict statutory requirements and will be subject to outside supervision by the Public Trade Inspectorate (Gewerbeaufsichtsamt), a health-and-safety co-ordinator and an expert. The indoor air quality will also be tested regularly.
About half of the staff will be relocated to other EPO buildings for the duration of the work, to allow the two multi-storey wings to be evacuated and renovated successively. Some departments, including Directorate-General 3, will continue to work in the Isar building. Oral proceedings will be held in those parts of the building not affected by the work at the time.
As has been confirmed by expert opinion, the work poses no risk to the health of staff or visitors to the building.