News

New release of iSBEM_v3.0.b for EPCs
12 February 2008
A new release of the calculation software SBEM, and its interface iSBEM, has today been made available for those wishing to produce Energy Performance Certificates (*) for buildings other than dwellings, or to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations, in England, Wales, Scotland and N Ireland.....

Transitional Arrangements for Buildings
13^th March 2008 -government announces transitional arrangements for buildings over 10,000m². For more information, please click here....

Landmark Solutions Secures Non Domestic EPC Contract
A ten year contract to build and operate the national commercial register for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) has been awarded to Landmark Information Group by the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG).  Click here for more information...

Commission launches Court proceedings against Belgium and the UK
The European Commission today launched court proceedings against Belgium and the United Kingdom for failure to notify adequate national implementing measures as required by the 2002 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive[1]. The goal of the Directive is to reduce energy consumption in buildings and it thus forms an important part of EU legislation aimed at improving overall energy efficiency. For more information, click here

FREE EVENTS and Exhibitions
FOR ADVISERS in Property, Building Services and RELATED PROFESSIONS

Towards an Energy Efficient European Building Stock - RICS Status Report 5th December 2007
On 5 December, RICS launched its Status Report on the Implementation of Directive 2002/91 on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) in the EU Member States. Please visit http://www.rics.org/Newsroom/Keyissues/Energy/
EPBD_status_report_r_051207.html for further details.

UK receives warning from Europe over EPBD
The UK government has received an official warning from the European Commission that it may not be complying with the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive...

EU directive to make business energy efficient
31 October 2007
Please visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/10/31/eawarren131.xml for more information.

Government announces the Energy Assessor Accreditation Standards and Minimum Requirements for buildings other than Existing Dwellings
for more information, please visit: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/
planningandbuilding/energyassessoraccreditation

New release of iSBEM_v2.0.b
1 May 2007

Energy Performance Certificates on Construction, Sale or Rent
Presentation by Communities and Local Government

Action Plan for Energy Efficiency: Realising the Potential
The European Commission has presented an ambitious Energy Efficiency Action Plan ........ 

The European Commission has presented an ambitious Energy Efficiency Action Plan which aims to reduce the direct cost of our energy consumption by over 100 billion Euros annually by 2020, avoiding around 780 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

For Action Plan news release see http://ec.europa.eu/news/energy/061027_1_en.htm

Energy Performance of Buildings: EU position on UK implementation of the EPBD
Brussels 12 October 2006: The European Commission sends Reasoned Opinions to nine Member States

DCLG Written Ministerial Statement on the EPBD
The Minister for Housing and Planning (Yvette Cooper) statement (14 June 2006) on how the Government intend to implement the remaining provisiions of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Full statement available to download.

New Energy Performance Certificate launched - 14th June 2006
DCLG News Release on the launch of the compulsory energy rating for homes to help cut carbon emissions - new measures to help tackle climate change

Simulation software approved for Part L
In addition to SBEM, two simulation software packages have now been approved by DCLG for use in calculating the energy performance of buildings, as required under Regulation 17A of the Building Regulations. They are:
IES 'Virtual Environment' software, Version 5.5 and
EDSL TAS Version 9.0.9

Updated SBEM Calculation Tool launched 12 May 2006
An updated version of the Part L calculation software SBEM has been released today. See attached for further details and website address for downloading this new software package.

EPBD Buildings Platform

The EPBD Buildings Platform is a new information service for helping the implementation of the Buildings Directive in the 25 Member States. See http://www.buildingsplatform.org/ for further information.

Implementing the EPBD in Scotland
The Scottish Building Standards Agency provides a constantly updated Circular on how the EPBD will be implemented in Scotland.  See link http://www.sbsa.gov.uk

Revisions to Part L published
Revised building regulations to increase energy efficiency standards for new buildings will improve standards by 40 per cent.

The Approved documents can be found at http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1164177 .  The News Release can be downloaded from here.

News Release on Code for Sustainable Homes
The Government has announced it is to strengthen the Code for Sustainable Homes alongside the introduction of new tougher building regulations to address climate change.

Extract from Ends Report 5 Jan 2006
Following 4th January deadline to transpose into national law the EU 2003 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, only 10 Member States have reported full or partial transposition ....

Implementation Plans for Europe
This document outlines the implementation plans for the EU Performance of Buildings Directive in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland.

"Energy-saving targets scrapped"
Article by Paul Brown, in The Guardian on Monday 18th July 2005

"Toughen up on energy" and "The rough and the smooth"
The above articles on the implications of the EPBD by Professor David Strong (Chairman of DIAG) and Malcolm Dowden (Associate at Charles Russell) appeared in Estates Gazette on 26 March 2005

National Calculation Methodology:SBEM approved by ODPM

Consultation on design for home energy report

Your opportunity to comment on the final draft design for the home energy report and on associated material regarding the improvement recommendations and the definition of the A to G scale. Comments must be submitted by FRIDAY 26TH AUGUST 2005 TO TAMARA MAURO-TRUJILLO  tamara.mauro@est.org.uk.
Follow link for further information: 
http://www.est.org.uk/partnership/energy/index.cfm?mode=view&news_id=440

Executive is 'making a mockery' of energy goal
Article from Sunday Herald (31 July 2005) on the accusation that Scotland is in danger of falling behind England and the rest Europe in improving energy efficiency in buildings

Industry concern over new energy initiatives
Delegates at a seminar held on 14th October 2004 at BRE, voiced their concerns about the implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (click here to read the Full Proceedings from the seminar).

Major industry consultation seminar on EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Press release on seminar being held on 14th October 2004 at BRE, Watford.

BRE welcomes ODPM's proposals for changes to Part L and implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
David Strong reviews the consultation proposals

EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - Implementation Advisory Group established
The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPD) was published in the European Journal on 4 January 2003. The Directive has far-reaching implications for the owners, operators and developers of buildings in the UK.