Solar thermal magazine Proposed Mandatory Energy Audit Legislation in the UK
Legislation requiring large enterprises to carry out energy audits by the end of 2015 is expected to be finalised this month, according to SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company.
The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change has issued a statement saying that ministerial approval has been received and steps are in place which “will allow us to lay regulations in Parliament and formally publish our Government Response. We are aiming to do this, as well as publish guidance for scheme participants, by the end of June.”
This legislation, addressing Article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, known as the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), is due to affect large enterprises which are defined as: Those that have 250 employees or more; and an annual turnover of €50 million or an annual balance sheet total exceeding €43 million. It is estimated that over 7,000 companies will be affected by ESOS.
Charities will also be included in the scheme if they fall within the large enterprise criteria, although the Public Sector will not be affected at this time.
The proposed legislation includes the requirement for Energy Audits to be undertaken by 5 December 2015, and then at least every four years from the date of the previous audit. ESOS will apply to an organisation’s total energy usage and energy efficiency, from all areas of the business.
Source: SGS
Tags: energy audit, energy efficiency, EU Energy Efficiency Directive, UK Department of Energy and Climate Change
