Editorial note

Directive 2002/91/EC of 16 December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings acknowledges the high levels of energy consumption associated with buildings and recognises that increased energy efficiency constitutes an important part of the package of policies and measures needed to comply with the Kyoto Protocol. The objective of this Directive is to promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings, taking into consideration outdoor climate and local conditions, together with indoor climate requirements and cost effectiveness (Article 1). The Directive applies to buildings where energy is used to condition the indoor climate (Article 2). Member States are required to apply a methodology to calculate the energy performance of buildings based upon the framework set out in the Annex, which includes aspects such as thermal characteristics of the building, heating installation, air-conditioning, ventilation, built-in lighting, position and orientation of the building, passive solar systems, and indoor climatic conditions (Article 3).

Member States must take necessary measures to ensure that requirements for minimum energy consumption for buildings are set, taking into account general indoor climate conditions as well as local conditions and the designated function and age of the building. These energy performance requirements must be reviewed at least at five-yearly intervals and updated in order to reflect technical progress (Article 4(1)). Member States may decide not to set energy performance requirements for certain categories of buildings, including those that are officially protected, those used as places of worship, temporary buildings and those with low energy demands, residential buildings which are used for less than four months of the year, and stand-alone buildings with a total useful floor area of less than 50 m2 (Article 4(3)).