Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)

EPBD Review (since 2015)

The EPBD foresees in its Article 19 that the Directive must be evaluated by 1^st January 2017 at the latest. In this framework, a public consultation has been held from June to October 2015. EuroACE is of course active on this issue, has provided a Reply to the Consultation Questionnaire and developed a Position Paper. The main points of the Position Paper are the following:

• Energy performance of buildings in the EU must remain regulated under EU legislation;
• Existing legislation must be fully implemented and enforced;
• Upcoming legislation should have the objective of an nZEB-level building stock at EU level by 2050 in mind;
• In this regard, clear strategies with milestones in 2030 and 2040 and renovation roadmaps are needed;
• The nZEB defintion should be clarified;
• The regulatory framework should reward integrated approaches that optimise all factors, including the building enveloppe, technical building systems, maintenance regimes and controls;
• The multiple benefits of energy renovation of buildings should be emphasised further;
• Measures to improve quality compliance, especially measures on upskilling the workforce, are needed;
• Access to financial ressources, based on a stable and long-term regulatory framework, is key;
• Regular reviews and updates of the legislative framework are need in order to ensure that the objective of an nZEB-level building stock at EU level is reached by 2050.

The Commission has issued a proposal to revise the EPBD within its ‘Clean Energy for All Europeans’ Package on 30th November 2016.

EPBD (2010)

In 2010, the EPBD Recast (Directive 2010/31/EU) entered into force with a transposition deadline of July 2012. The updated text clarified, strengthened and extended the scope of the 2002 directive. Key changes included:

• Development of a comparative methodology framework for calculating cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements;
• Extension to all buildings of requirement to set minimum energy performance levels when a major renovation takes place;
• All new buildings to be nearly zero energy level by December 2020 (December 2018 for public authority buildings);
• Requirement for Member States to list financial incentives in place to enable the transition towards nearly zero energy levels in buildings;
• Mandatory energy certification for all properties constructed, sold or rented out;
• Enhanced heating and cooling system inspections and reporting requirements;
• Requirement for Member States to establish penalties for non-compliance.

Background Information – EPBD (2002)

 The EPBD (Directive 2002/91/EC) has been the main European legislative instrument for improving the energy efficiency of Europe’s building stock. Under the Directive, the following obligations were introduced in all Member States:

• A methodology to calculate and rate the integrated energy performance of buildings;
• A system of energy certification for new and existing buildings, with display requirements for public buildings;
• Regular inspections of heating and air-conditioning systems;
• Minimum energy performance standards for new buildings and for existing buildings that undergo major renovation with a useful floor area over 1 000 m².