The Brussels government on Thursday approved a reform of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in a second reading, Alain Maron, the Minister for Climate Transition and Energy, announced on Friday.
Welcomed by advisory councils and the sector, the reform promises to significantly improve the quality and accuracy of EPCs issued, Maron stated in a press release.
Developed in consultation with the sector, the reform aims for certificates that better reflect actual energy consumption by relaxing certain default values that have proven too punitive in practice.
The new EPC model will be more readable, providing complete information on work needed to meet new standards, especially for co-owned properties, detailing required maintenance of common areas.
To enhance professional quality in the field, the reform merges the roles of EPC advisor and certifier into a single EPC expert position. Basic training will be enhanced with mandatory continuous education.
The calculation method will be standardised, emphasising decarbonisation through connections to heat networks, electrification, and renewable energy sources such as geothermal, aquathermal, and aerothermal energy. The reform also aims to accelerate the development of solar energy production by imposing progressive requirements on new buildings, major renovations, and existing public buildings.
The draft will return to the Brussels government in a few weeks for further review, pending the opinion of the Council of State.
