Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
BER legislation is based on the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which contains a wide range of provisions aimed at improving the energy performance of residential and non-residential buildings, both new-build and existing. This Directive was adopted into Irish law as a Regulation in 2006 (S.I. No.666 of 2006) and recast in 2012 (S.I.243 of 2012), effective from 9th January 2013.
The EPBD obliges specific forms of information and advice on energy performance to be provided to building purchasers, tenants and users. This information and advice provides consumers with information regarding the energy performance of a building and enables them to take this into consideration in any decisions on property transactions.
As part of the Directive, a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate, which is effectively an energy label, is required at the point of sale or rental of a building.
Development of Energy Performance Standards
A key underlying factor in relation to the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the establishment of an official methodology for the calculation of energy performance. Recognising this, the EU Commission undertook to support the European Standards Organisation (CEN) in preparing relevant standards and encouraged Member States to adopt a harmonised approach, as far as possible.
In Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has developed the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) for residential properties.