Energy performance certificates for public buildings

An energy performance certificate (EPC) for public buildings is mandatory for buildings in which public organisations providing public services to a large number of persons are established. An EPC for public buildings is drawn up by a recognised type C energy expert or an in-house energy expert and is based on the measured (actual) annual consumptions of the public organisation. The EPC is mandatory for buildings located in the Flemish Region in which public organisations provide public services to a large number of persons and which are often visited by the public. These are buildings of: the federal government, including the parastatals; the Flemish government, including the internal and external independent agencies; the provincial authorities; municipal authorities, including CPAS; public undertakings; educational establishments; welfare facilities; health facilities. The introduction was systematically tightened. Initially, the EPC for public buildings was only mandatory for large public buildings with a useful floor area from 1000m2. Since 1 January 2013, the obligation also applies to buildings from 500m2. From 1 January 2015, the EPC will also be mandatory for buildings from 250m2 of usable floor space.