EBWA’s journey to ‘WE’
EBWA was established in Europe in 1993 as the European chapter of the International Bottled Water Association based in the United States. The establishment of the Brussels office in 1998 was the first turning point for the European industry and for the association.
At that time, the association’s activities were directed at easing the restrictive regulations which impacted bottling in 19 and 22 litres for companies and suppliers active in the emerging bottled watercooler markets.
Another step EBWA’s development took place in June 2000 when it became a founding member of ICBWA – International Council of Bottled Water Associations – consisting of member associations in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America and United States.
While direct company membership was the tradition, in 2000 the association changed its structure to become an association of associations – co-ordinating the formation in each country of a national association. This restructuring is keeping up with the representational structure required of regulatory policy-making bodies in Brussels.
When the European industry began, the market for watercoolers showed the dynamism of mostly young and small start-up enterprises. In recent years most Western European markets have matured, there has been an increased acceptance of coolers in Eastern Europe and new requirements for alternative solutions such as POU.
So far EBWA has focused its activities on laws and regulations governing the industry, being able to serve as the authoritative source of information concerning watercoolers at country level as well as in Brussels. EBWA created and promoted the highest standards of quality and hygiene through self-regulatory instruments including the Codes of Good Hygiene Practice and a large number of training courses for its members. The yearly Trade Fairs organized by EBWA were, and remain, the meeting places for the industry.
In recent years it became clear to EBWA that its members need to follow the changing of the markets, particularly in Western Europe. And EBWA reacted rapidly, supporting the process of integrating Point of Use into its associations according to the market requirements.
Watercoolers Europe
On 25 October, at the General Meeting in Prague, it was decided to change the name of EBWA to ‘WE’ – Watercoolers Europe. The process of finding a logo for the new self explaining name was finalised at the Annual General Meeting on 12 April in Paris.
The association’s vision is: ‘WE’ will lead the water cooler industry by promoting high quality standards and enhancing our members’ brand.
WE chairman Jeroen Peters said: “At the Annual General Meeting on the 12 of April in Paris ‘WE’ started the journey towards a more open and dynamic organisation. But what does this mean for our members? It is too early to reveal all our plans, but you can be assured you will see ‘WE’ more often. ‘WE’ is now working on a new website and this website will be our key communication pillar. Our members will get relevant updates, access to unlimited knowledge databases, webinars, forums and much more. This means for our National Association members they will have access to data that allows them to keep the high standards, to deal with legislative issues, to promote the key benefit of our industry (healthy hydration) and to be able to ask for support when needed.
“For our supplier members ‘WE’ will offer different membership levels and different kind of advantages. ‘WE’ is very aware that suppliers have been relevant in supporting our organisation in the last years and by executing our vision ‘WE’ will provide added value for them in return.
“‘WE’ will acquire new members, ‘WE’ will build new national organisations and ‘WE’ will fight obesity with the best weapon, namely our product: water.
“’WE’ is looking forward to meet you.
Source: EBWA/WE
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