EuroACE welcomes the publication in the Official Journal of Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings (recast). Most of the requirements will come into national effect between July 2012 and January 2013.

“Member States must act diligently to ensure the new EPBD rules are adequately implemented and strictly enforced in the coming years,” says Amanda Afifi, Secretary General of EuroACE. “The learning-by-doing phase should now be replaced by a strong commitment from national capitals to maximise on the economic, energy and climate change benefits that buildings have to offer. This recast from the EU institutions provides a sound basis for doing so”.

A significant new requirement under the recast is that all new buildings across Europe must be built to a very low energy standard by 31 December 2020, with public buildings having to meet this level by the end of 2018. While no specific targets were set for the refurbishment of buildings, which account for 99% of the current building stock, all buildings undergoing major renovation will have to meet certain minimum energy performance requirements set by the Member States.

The recast also builds on the 2002 Directive by improving rules on inspections and on energy performance certificates. An all-important article on financial incentives and market barriers requires Member States to list and propose financing schemes to support the implementation of the recast.

ENDS

For further information:

Amanda Afifi - Secretary General

Tel. +32 2 639 1010

E-mail: amanda.afifi@euroace.org

Note to Editors:

EuroACE was founded by twenty of Europe’s leading companies involved with the manufacture, distribution and installation of energy saving goods and services. EuroACE members have a total turnover of 140 billion Euros and employ 328,000 people in Europe.