European industry calls for the implementation and expansion of the Buildings Directive
Press release, 13/01/06

Today, a group of seven European industry associations issued a joint statement on the future of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Co-signed by EuroACE, the statement calls for full and rapid implementation of the Directive by all Member States. Moreover, the signatories call for expanding the scope of this piece of European legislation. Key amendments to the current Directive should be:

• Inclusion of existing buildings below 1,000 square metres
• Extension of inspection requirements
• Higher standards for public buildings

The Buildings Directive was adopted by the European Parliament in December 2002 and should have been transposed into national law by the beginning of this year. According to estimations by the European Commission, the rigorous implementation of the Directive across the EU-25 could lead to annual energy savings in the magnitude of 41 Mtoe. With additional measures, annual energy savings of up to 70 Mtoe are possible within the next 15 years, the Commission says.

Follow-up: the statement