Briefing Document: Reforms to Non-Domestic Buildings and DECs in the Proposed Energy Performance of Buildings Regime
The Government has opened consultation on changes to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Display Energy Certificates (DECs), and air conditioning inspection reports (ACIRs).
This briefing blog summarizes the key proposals from the UK government's consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) regime, focusing specifically on aspects related to non-domestic buildings and DECs.
Multiple Metrics for Non-Domestic Buildings in the future
While the government proposes using four headline metrics for domestic EPCs (fabric performance, heating system, smart readiness, and energy cost), they recommend maintaining the carbon metric as the single headline metric for non-domestic EPCs for now. This decision stems from the existing carbon focus of non-domestic EPCs, aligning with net-zero objectives. However, the consultation welcomes input on the suitability of the proposed new metrics for non-domestic buildings, the most likely being some sort of energy intensity metric either based on delivered or primary energy.
Refining EPCs Validity Periods
The proposal is to reduce EPC validity periods with shorter validity periods (e.g., from 10 years to 5 years for EPCs) ensuring more up-to-date information and better reflect building upgrades. Furthermore there is an intention to require a valid EPC throughout tenancy for the private rented sector, not just at the point of sale or letting.
When marketing Properties a valid EPC should be required before a property is marketed for sale or rent, with no grace period, and finally they propose clarity for Heritage Buildings with the removal of any exemptions for heritage buildings, requiring some form of energy assessment and potential EPC in all cases.
Reducing DEC Validity Periods
The government proposes reducing the validity periods for both DECs and DEC recommendation reports:
For buildings between 250-1,000m², the proposal is to reduce the validity from 10 years to 7 years for both the DEC and the recommendation report.
For buildings over 1,000m², the recommendation report validity would be reduced from 7 years to 5 years.
The consultation seeks feedback on the appropriateness of these proposed validity periods.
Improving EPC and DEC Data Management
Remove Cancelled/Not for Issue Certificates: Purge outdated or invalid certificates from the EPB Register.
Limit Public Address Search Opt-Out: Ensure broader accessibility to EPC data by restricting the opt-out option for public address searches.
Expand Data Sharing: Provide greater flexibility for data sharing from the EPB Register to support research, policy development, and enforcement.
Re-Use of Previous EPC Data: Explore the feasibility and limitations of re-using data from previous EPC assessments for future calculations, striking a balance between accuracy and practicality.
Enforcement and Compliance for Non-Domestic Buildings
The consultation acknowledges concerns about compliance levels with EPB Regulation requirements, particularly for non-domestic properties and air conditioning inspection reports. It highlights the possibility of low compliance stemming from a perception of requirements as a "tick box" exercise and a lack of awareness.
The government proposes several actions to improve compliance, including:
Working with Local Weights and Measures Authorities (LWMAs) and other stakeholders to review and improve guidance. This updated guidance would reflect changes resulting from the consultation and link to other requirements like MEES.
Improving LWMAs' access to EPB data to enhance enforcement activities.
Collaborating with estate and letting agents to emphasize the need for EPCs and highlight their benefits in identifying energy performance improvement opportunities.
Next Steps
The consultation seeks stakeholder feedback on the proposed reforms. Responses will inform the development of policy and potential amendments to the EPB Regulations. Implementation of changes is expected to occur in phases, with some updates anticipated in the second half of 2026.
The full consultation details and option to respond can be found here - Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime - GOV.UK