DIAG's key aims are as follows:

• To clarify the requirements of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to highlight any ambiguities concerning the Directive.
  
  
• To provide guidance on possible clarifications and their implications when workinig with the Directive on building energy performance.
  
  
• To establish and support working groups to address specific aspects of implementing the Directive on the energy performance of buildings.
  
  
• To ensure that the Government receives robust and comprehensive guidance concerning the detailed implementation of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and its implications.

Statement of purpose

1. Background

The European Union Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was published in the Official Journal on the 4th January 2003. The overall objective of the Directive is to:

'promote the improvement of energy performance of buildings within the Community taking into account outdoor climatic and local conditions, as well as indoor climate requirements and cost-effectiveness.'ⁱ

Each EU member state is required to transpose the Directive into law by the beginning of 2006 with a further three years being allowed for full implementation of specific articles ⁱⁱ.

The Directive Implementation Advisory Group (DIAG) has been established to advise the Government upon the Directive's effective and timely implementation.

2. Objectives

The UK Government has established its commitment to addressing climate change through various legal, fiscal and voluntary instruments. These include the Kyoto Protocol, Energy White Paper, Building Regulations and Sustainable Development Strategy . The Directive Implementation Advisory Group (DIAG) will seek to ensure that the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is implemented in line with these commitments and with the overall aim of optimising the reduction in carbon emissions.

In this spirit and that of the overall objective of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, DIAG's key aims are as follows:

• To clarify the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to highlight any ambiguities concerning the Directive.
• To provide guidance on possible clarifications and their implications.
• To establish and support working groups to address specific aspects of the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
• To ensure that the Government receives robust and comprehensive guidance concerning the detailed implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and its implications.

In seeking to achieve these objectives, DIAG will be mindful of the commercial implications of the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and will seek to highlight the business as well as the environmental benefits of a proactive approach to energy performance in buildings including:

• Effective Risk Management
• Cost Savings
• Reputation Management
• Improved Competitiveness
• Employment Opportunities
• Investment Opportunities

3. Membership

There are a number of different types of members of the Group (none of which are mutually exclusive), these are:

• Steering Group Members
  The Steering Group will maintain a strategic overview of the work undertaken by DIAG. Its members will be involved in leading working groups and ensuring effective communication with their stakeholders concerning the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Steering Group members will be limited to a maximum of 25 and will meet on a quarterly basis.
  
• Working Group Members
  The working groups will address, in detail, specific aspects of the implementation of the Directive. Working Group Members will be identified on the basis of their knowledge concerning these issues and may extend beyond the core steering group members. The constitution of the working groups will be under continual review to ensure that robust and comprehensive guidance to Government can be developed.
  
  Working groups will be convened and disbanded as appropriate and will be task oriented. Initial suggestions for working group topics include Building Regulation Issues, Energy Performance Certification and Labelling, Plant Inspection Issues and Independent accreditation and training.
  

4. For further information

For further information concerning DIAG please contact the secretariat : diag@inbuilt.co.uk

ⁱ DIRECTIVE 2002/91/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings, Official Journal of the European Communities.
ⁱⁱ A further three years may be allowed for the implementation of Articles 7, 8 and 9 should a member state be able to demonstrate a lack of qualified and/or accredited experts.