Europe gets tough over EPBD

BRUSSELS: The EC is referring Belgium and Finland to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive – and the UK could be next.

Under the directive, member states must establish and apply minimum energy performance requirements for all buildings, ensure the certification of buildings’ energy performance and require the regular inspection of heating and air conditioning systems. In addition, the directive requires member states to ensure that by 2021 all new buildings are so-called nearly zero-energy buildings. The directive had to be transposed into national law by 9 July 2012.

The Commission proposes a penalty of €19,000 per day against Finland and €42,000 against Belgium.

The EC sent both countries a letter of formal notice concerning the transposition of the Directive in September 2012. A reasoned opinion followed in June 2013.

The Commission is also currently examining the situation in the UK, Slovenia, Romania, Poland, the Netherlands, Malta, Latvia, Luxembourg, Italy, Greece, Estonia, Czech Republic and Austria.  Reasoned opinions for incomplete transposition have already been addressed to these countries and the Commission warns that they may also face referrals to the Court in the coming months.