Commission Guidance Strengthens Policy Context for EPC Harmonisation

 

The European Commission has published a set of guidance documents to support Member States in implementing the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Among these, one annex focuses specifically on energy performance certificates (EPCs) and independent control systems.

This guidance comes at a crucial time. With 75% of Europe’s building stock still energy inefficient, the revised EPBD sets out a clear pathway towards greater energy efficiency and full decarbonisation by 2050. The directive entered into force in May 2024, and Member States are now preparing national measures that must be in place by May 2026.

Why EPCs Matter

EPCs are a cornerstone of EU energy policy. They provide essential information to citizens, policymakers, and financiers about how buildings perform. But EPCs have often been inconsistent across countries, undermining their reliability and limiting their use as a basis for investment or renovation decisions.

The Commission’s new guidance addresses this by:

  • Defining energy performance classes consistently across the Union.

  • Requiring EPCs to display both a numerical energy value and a letter grade for clarity.

  • Strengthening independent control systems to ensure quality and comparability.

  • Highlighting the role of EPCs in unlocking green finance and supporting the Renovation Wave.

What This Means for OpenBEP4EU

 

For OpenBEP4EU, the Commission’s guidance is more than background — it is a driver of our work.

Our project develops an open-source EPC calculation engine aligned with ISO 52000, tested through pilots in Greece, Spain, Denmark, Cyprus, and Switzerland. This directly supports the EPBD’s ambition to provide trustworthy, transparent, and comparable EPCs across Europe.

In addition, the Sustainable Design Data Hub we are building ensures that EPC and Smart Readiness data can be integrated directly into design and renovation workflows, helping architects, planners, and municipalities make evidence-based decisions.

Policy Drivers, Not Barriers

 

This publication underlines the policy context in which OpenBEP4EU operates. Far from being a barrier, the revised EPBD is a driver:

  • It creates demand for harmonised EPCs, which our project is addressing.

  • It links EPCs to finance and renovation markets, reinforcing the need for reliable data.

  • It strengthens independent verification, ensuring that citizens and stakeholders can trust EPCs as a basis for action.

Learn more on the Commission’s news release on the building sector pathway and read the Annex on EPCs and control systems.

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