Energy Performance Directive for Buildings in Scotland

The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) came into force in January 2003, creating, a common framework to promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings across the EU. The directive provides opportunity to substantially reduce energy use in buildings, which accounts for nearly 50% of all UK C02 emissions.
Key points of the directive are: • Setting minimum requirements for the energy performance of all new buildings • Setting minimum requirements for the energy performance of large existing buildings subject to major renovation • Identifies requirement for energy certification of all buildings (with frequently visited buildings providing public services being required to prominently display the energy certificate) • Identifies regular mandatory inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems in buildings.
EPBD implementation for Scotland
Member states were required to make the directive national law by 4th January 2006, and it was left up to each individual member state to decide at what level to set the actual performance requirements in the national building regulations.
1st May 2005 saw the new building standards system come into force in Scotland. This was the outcome of a six-year review which resulted in the legislation which makes directive's implementation possible: This was named "The Building (Scotland) Act 2003". The actual responsibility for implementing the Directive on behalf of Scottish Ministers has been handed to the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA).
The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2006, laid before the Scottish Parliament in November 2006, and the guidance documentation came into force on 1 May 2007. These regulations apply in the first instance to new homes built after this date. They will apply to the sale of private homes from December 2008, and to rental and public buildings from January 2009.
Two EPC models have now been approved for use in Scotland, one for domestic dwellings and the other for all other building types.
From the 1st December 2008 , sale properties will have to be marketed with information, termed as the 'Home report'. This pack comprises three documents: a Single Survey, an Energy Report (which includes the EPC) and a Property Questionnaire. The Home Report should be issued upon request to prospective buyers. The Single Survey will consist of a property condition assessment provided by a qualified surveyor, a valuation and an accessibility audit for people with particular needs. The Energy Report will contain an assessment by a surveyor relating to the energy efficiency of the property and its environmental impact. It will also recommend ways to improve the property's energy efficiency.
The Energy Report will infer the property seller's compliance with EPBD. The information for the Energy Report is sufficient to allow for the production of an Energy Performance certificate (EPC), and will be used to prepare a Single Survey and Energy Report.
Energy Performance Directive for Buildings in Scotland provided here to improve the property's energy efficiency and its environmental impact. Just do watch this effective technique of Energy Performance Certificate to have a sound and robust practices to move forward.