The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
The Directive 2002/91/EC (EPBD, 2003) of the European Parliament and Council on energy efficiency of buildings ("Energy Performance of Buildings Directive", EPBD) was adopted on 16th December 2002 and came into force on 4th January 2003.
This Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is considered a very important legislative component of energy efficiency activities of the European Union.
The Directive is set to promote the improvement of energy performance of buildings with the following requirements to be implemented by the Member States:
-
the general framework for a methodology of calculation of the integrated energy performance of buildings;
-
the application of minimum requirements on the energy performance of new buildings;
-
the application of minimum requirements on the energy performance of large existing buildings that are subject to major renovation;
-
energy performance certification of buildings;
-
regular inspection of boilers and of air-conditioning systems in buildings and in addition an assessment of the heating installation in which the boilers are more than 15 years old;
-
requirements for experts and inspectors for the certification of buildings, the drafting of the accompanying recommendations and the inspection of boilers and air-conditioning systems.
Within these general principles and objectives, it is the individual responsibility of each EU Member State to choose measures that corresponds best to its particular situation (subsidiarity principle). However, it is clear that collaboration and information exchange can highly facilitate the implementation.
A recast of the EPBD has been published on June 18, 2010 in the Official Journal of the EC:
Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings
More information:
BUILD UP Portal