Indoor air quality is now a central issue for people’s health and proper building management. With the introduction of the new art. 59-bis in the Regional Consolidated Act on Health (Regional Law 33/2009), inserted by the Lombardy Regional Law of June 30, 2026, no. 17, the Lombardy Region has strengthened the obligations regarding the hygiene and sanitary control of aeraulic (HVAC) systems.
This is an important development because it brings to a regulatory level principles that the sector has been applying for years through recognized guidelines and technical standards.
What the new art. 59-bis entails
The regulation applies to the owners of aeraulic systems that convey air into indoor environments, including air conditioning, ventilation, and heating systems, whether newly installed or pre-existing.
There are three main obligations:
- carry out a hygiene and health risk assessment of the system;
- perform periodic technical inspections to verify the hygienic conditions of the internal surfaces;
- ensure documented and traceable periodic maintenance, scheduled based on the risk level.
The law does not establish a single frequency for interventions but requires each system to be managed according to its own characteristics, the building’s intended use, and the occupants’ exposure level.
Who is affected by the regulation
The scope of application is very broad. The new regulations affect all buildings equipped with aeraulic systems, including:
- healthcare facilities and nursing homes (RSAs);
- schools and universities;
- public and private offices;
- hotels and accommodation facilities;
- shopping malls;
- industries and sports facilities;
- commercial and tertiary sector buildings.
In practice, any organization using systems for air treatment and distribution must verify that their management complies with the new requirements.
Why hygienic maintenance is different from routine maintenance
A system can be perfectly functional mechanically and, at the same time, have suboptimal hygienic conditions.
Dust, organic residues, and microbiological contamination can accumulate inside ducts, air handling units (AHUs), heat exchanger coils, and other components, compromising the quality of the air distributed in the rooms.
For this reason, the new regulation focuses not only on the system’s efficiency but also on its hygiene and health status.
How to comply with the new obligations
The most effective approach is based on prevention. A proper management plan should include:
1. Technical inspection of the system
Through video inspections and instrumental checks, it is possible to determine the real condition of the aeraulic networks and identify any critical issues.
2. Risk assessment
The analysis considers the type of building, the number of occupants, the characteristics of the system, and the intended use of the premises.
3. Cleaning and sanitization interventions
Remediation interventions for ducts and air handling units are scheduled only when the inspection highlights the need to intervene.
4. Scheduled maintenance plan
Periodic management keeps the system in optimal condition, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring the traceability of interventions.
The A&G Multiservice approach
For over twenty years, A&G Multiservice has been supporting companies, healthcare facilities, public bodies, and tertiary sector organizations in managing aeraulic systems, with an approach focused on air quality and prevention.
Our services include:
- technical inspections and video inspections of aeraulic networks;
- verification of the hygienic status of the systems;
- professional cleaning and sanitization of ducts, AHUs, and HVAC components;
- comprehensive technical documentation of the interventions;
- support in maintenance planning and regulatory compliance management.
The goal is not only to comply with legal obligations but to help create safer, healthier, and more efficient environments for those who experience them every day.
A new opportunity to improve air quality
The introduction of the new art. 59-bis represents a significant evolution in the management of aeraulic systems.
More than just a new compliance requirement, it is an invitation to adopt scheduled, documented maintenance based on risk assessment, transforming regulatory compliance into a concrete investment in people’s health, building operational continuity, and the value of system assets.
If you wish to check the status of your system or learn more about the obligations introduced by the new regulation, the A&G Multiservice team is available to identify the most suitable solution for your facility’s needs.
