Legislation: COM 2002/91/EC: Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings

Website: ec.europa.eu/energy/demand/legislation/buildings_en.htm

Download the Directive in your preferred language

Click on the language below to download an information leaflet on Improving the Energy Performance of Buildings

To receive paper copies write to: tren-building-directive@ec.europa.eu

In Spring 2008, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the recasting of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC), which closed on 20 June 2008.

In January 2006, the EPBD Buildings Platform was created as an information service for helping the implementation of the Buildings' Directive.

The buildings sector accounts for 40% of the EU's energy requirements. It offers the largest single potential for energy efficiency. Research shows that more than one-fifth of the present energy consumption and up to 30-45 MT of CO2/Y could be saved by 2010 by applying more ambitious standards to new and when refurbishing buildings - which represents a considerable contribution to meeting the Kyoto targets.

The aim of improved energy efficiency has been set out in earlier existing legal instruments. Among the main Community legislation for the sector are the Boiler Directive (92/42/EEC), the Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC) and the buildings provisions in the SAVE Directive 93/76/EEC). The Directive on the energy performance of buildings in force since January 2003 builds on those measures with the aim to provide for an ambitious step-ahead to increase the energy performance of public, commercial and private buildings in all Member States.

Video recordings relevant to this Directive are available for the following events:

• Best Implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - 31 January 2007, Brussels, Belgium and live on the internet
• ManagEnergy Workshop on The Buildings Directive - opportunities at a local level - 5 March 2004, Wels, Austria and live on the internet
• Parallel Session B on Day 2 of: ManagEnergy European Conference on Local Energy Action: The Annual Event of Energy Management Agents in Europe 26-27 November 2003, Brussels, Belgium discussed this Directive in the context of Local and Regional Energy Agencies and Development Agencies : common objectives under Structural Funds.

An article describing the objectives of this Directive is presented below:

The new Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings - Moving closer to Kyoto

Randall Bowie - Legislative Measures in Demand Management
Anette Jahn - Promotion of Legislative Measures in New Energies and Demand Managment

European Commission, Directorate General for Energy & Transport
Unit D1 - Regulatory Policy & Promotion of New Energies and of Demand Management

Complete Article (57 Kb)

Introduction

The Directive on energy efficiency of buildings was adopted, after a lively discussion at all levels and with overwhelming support from Member States and the European Parliament, on 16th December 2002 and entered into force on 4th January 2003. It is considered as a very important legislative component of energy efficiency activities of the European Union designed to meet the Kyoto commitment and responds to issues raised in the recent debate on the Green Paper on energy supply security.

Estimates project a cost-effective savings potential realisable by 2010 of around 22% within the building sector - if this potential was realised, around 20% of the EU Kyoto commitment could be met. Transposition of this Directive by 2006 at the latest will allow a portion of this potential to be translated into reduced energy consumption.

The Directive is set to promote the improvement of energy performance of buildings with four requirements to be implemented by the Member States :

1. General framework for a methodology of calculation of the integrated performance of buildings
2. Setting of minimum standards in new and existing buildings
3. Energy Certification of Buildings
4. Inspection and assessment of heating and cooling installations.

The Directive is foremost a measure that concerns a very large number of actors on all levels and with different impacts and different motivations: designer, housing associations, architects, providers of building appliances, installation companies, building experts, owners, tenants, essentially all energy consumers in the European Union.

To find similar reports, click on a keyword below:
Building Certification : Buildings : DA - Dansk : DE - Deutsch : EL - Ellinika : ES - Español : Energy Efficiency : FI - Suomi : FR - Français : IT - Italiano : NL - Nederlands : PT - Português : Regulatory framework : SV - Svenska

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