(Photo: © KI-generiert gem. Adobe Firefly-Lizenz/okapidesign/LIFTjournal)
February 2026
To provide its members with information and support on the complex theme of modernising existing lifts, ELA has recently developed a comprehensive Modernization Toolbox, which is available through the ELA website.
PREPARED BY THE ELA SAEL WORKING GROUP: CLAUDIO DONGHI, ALPER CALISKAN, MICHALIS KASIOU, ARI KETONEN, IAN MCGREGOR, SILVIA MIGLIAVACCA, LUCA REPETTO, ANABEL RODRIGUEZ, FRANK SCHMIDT AND FRANÇOIS VILLENEUVE
According to ELA's published statistics, there are currently around seven million lifts in operation throughout Europe, more than half of which are over 25 years old. Therefore, ELA has developed a modernization toolbox for its members.
The toolbox includes:
Information on how to modernise and improve the safety, accessibility and energy efficiency of existing lifts, while also considering how to enhance their digitalisation, is also included.
The different tools in the ELA Modernization Toolbox are:
1. Tools to understand where we are
The first tool is statistical data access. The industry has a solid and comprehensive dataset collected and consolidated by the ELA Statistical Committee. This includes information on the number of existing lifts and escalators in operation in 31 countries, their age, and more.
The second tool is the SNEL (Safety Norm for Existing Lifts) Survey. Enhancing the safety of existing lifts is a key driver for modernization. The recently updated SNEL Survey covers the implementation status of the EN 81-80:2019 standard in the EU.
As shown in the recap illustration with self-explanatory traffic lights, there are still many countries where improvements can be made.
The third tool is the Accessibility Survey. Improving the accessibility of existing lifts is another key driver for modernization. This survey focuses on accessibility legislation in the built environment across Europe. It investigates the presence of regional or national legislation requiring lifts in public and residential buildings.
As shown in the recap illustration, there are many gaps where legislation can be improved.
2. Tools to capture the value of modernization
Why modernise? In February 2025, ELA published the white paper “Modernizing existing lifts in buildings: A sustainability imperative towards carbon neutral, smart and inclusive cities“. In the White Paper, ELA describes the key added values of modernization as:
3. Tools on how to modernise
For a long time, the modernisation of existing lifts was heavily driven by safety aspects; EN 81-80
(also known as the “Safety Norm for Existing Lifts”, or SNEL for short) concentrated mainly on safety. Apart from safety, modernising lifts must also consider ecology and barrier-free access.
In 2023, the SAEL White Paper and its Executive Summary were published by the SAEL WG. The White Paper contains a comprehensive catalogue of modernization interventions for each lift focus area: Electrification System, Machinery, Doors, Car, Signalisation, Information and Communication Technologies, and Hoistway. It includes a description and evaluation of the impact on safety, accessibility and energy efficiency.
Modernization offers great opportunities, but there is a strong need for information. While new, state-of-the-art lifts will continue to be installed in new buildings, replacing all existing lifts with new ones may not be sustainable or cost-effective.
Modernising existing lifts could be a much more sustainable option and generate significant social, environmental and economic benefits.
Disclaimer
The present article is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It is not intended as a substitute for each company’s own assessment and decision making. ELA declines any and all liability for any measure taken or not taken on the basis of the present document.
How does the SAEL approach work in practice?An example: In this case, we upgrade the drive system with a frequency converter, also known as an inverter, and replace the old controller.
These modernization interventions are:
– We improve the safety level for lift workers and end users, since modern controllers offer better protection against electrical shocks and malfunctions in general.
– We improve accessibility for end users, especially people with disabilities, by ensuring better stopping accuracy between the lift car and landing floor level.
– By incorporating eco-functionality features, we improve energy efficiency for building owners, reducing their operating costs due to lower electricity bills.
– In this example, modernization generates added value in three areas for three types of stakeholders.
Statistical information Lifts + Escalators 202331 – Countries
164.900 – Employees
6.735.000 – Existing Lifts
168.000 – Existing Escalators
EN 81-80 – SNEL – Safety Norm for Existing LiftsStandard EN 81-80 has been implemented through a national law, including a defined position for the SNEL filtering. That EN 81-80 has been implemented as a national standard which is seen as good practice when the enforcing authorities are assessing a lift. It is therefore widely applied although its application is not mandatory.
ACCESSIBILITY OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT LEGISLATION IN EUROPE – EXISTING BUILDINGSApplying EN81-80
– Legislation for residential buildings
– National/regional legislation on accessibility of the disabled
– Obligation of lift in public buildings of more than 1 level
– Obligation of lift in residential buildings of more than 4 levels
– No reservation of space for later installation of lift
– No public procurement supplement on disabled access
National/regional legislation on accessibility of the disabled
– Obligation of lift in some public buildings (traffic)
– Obligation of lift in residential buildings of more than 5 levels
– No reservation of space
– No public procurement obligations for accessibility
No specific legislation
– No obligation of any sort in public or residential buildings
More informations: ela-aisbl.eu
Digitalpaper
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