The European Commission has published proposals to amend the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. This directive is the basis for the law on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Display Energy Certificates (DECs) and air-conditioning inspections.
The Commission plans to reduce the minimum threshold for meeting basic energy performance requirements when a building undergoes major renovation. At the moment only buildings over 1000m² qualify but, under the new proposals, the rules will include any renovation where more than 25% of the building undergoes work or where the costs are more than 25% of the value of the building. Further changes intend to demand DECs for more buildings occupied by public bodies, raise the number of buildings required to display EPCs and insist on the EPC rating of buildings to be stated in all advertisements for the sale or letting of the property.
The Commission intends that member states implement the proposals in respect of public bodies by 31 December 2010, and in all other respects by 31 January 2012. As businesses in the UK struggle to come to terms with the existing rules, and in the light of the current financial problems, these dates may change.
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