EPBD: working party examining amendments

The Working Party on Energy has met a number of times this month to discuss proposed amendments to Directive 2002/91/EC on the energy performance of buildings.

The Commission has proposed that the Directive’s scope be extended in order to cover buildings that are less than 1000m2. As approximately 70% of buildings in the EU are under 1000m2, this would create new energy performance requirements for the majority of buildings in Europe.

There is general consensus on the need for stricter regulations on energy consumption in buildings. Certain details, however, remain to be negotiated. For example, the Council agrees that ambitious targets for public buildings are needed, but prefers the wording ‘low-energy buildings’ to ‘zero-energy buildings’. Political agreement on this proposal is expected before the December Energy Council (07/12/09).

CEMBUREAU remains opposed to minimum requirements for building components. The initial holistic approach of the EPBDⁱ should be maintained, i.e., the energy performance of the building as a whole during its entire life cycle. Sub optimisation of the whole performance of the building in terms of energy efficiency and use of resources can occur by setting minimum performance targets at the level of components.