Parliament adopts 2nd reading on energy performance of buildings Directive

The European Parliament adopted its opinion in second reading on the proposal for a Directive on energy performance of buildings on 18 May 2010. As no motion to reject the Council’s common position nor any amendment were tabled, the second reading opinion was approved without a vote. The adoption closes the procedure and the Directive will now be published and enter into force.

The agreement reached between the Parliament and Council on the Directive is the following:

• The 1000 m2 threshold for refurbishing buildings was removed.
• Concerning the substance of the proposal as agreed on 17 November 2009, Parliament and Council agreed that in 2020, all new buildings (commercial and households) will have to be “nearly-zero energy” buildings.
• In 2018 all new Public sector buildings will have to be “nearly-zero energy” buildings.
• Financial incentives will be made available to implement the Directive. Furthermore, the Commission is committed to examining the appropriateness of increasing the threshold in the Structural Funds for housing.
• A possibility to upgrade existing buildings to “nearly-zero” energy buildings has been inserted in the text.
• A voluntary EU certification scheme for the non-residential sector will be established.