The significance of an EPC inspection body

By Frikkie Malan, head of sustainability at Remote Metering Solutions

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), which display the energy performance of buildings, may only be issued by SANAS-accredited energy performance certification inspection bodies. This ensures compliance with relevant standards and provides assurance of the qualifications, training, and experience of the personnel involved in certification.

A building owner is responsible for providing the information required (as per SANS 1544) for certification and may engage internal staff or consultants to assist with gathering the information. However, the certification must be done by an accredited EPC inspection body.

Both the SANAS and SANEDI websites provide a list of accredited EPC inspection bodies. All accredited inspection bodies are issued with a certificate displaying their unique accreditation number and scope of accreditation.

A long time coming

Contrary to public perception, EPCs were not announced overnight. The draft regulations for the mandatory display and submission of energy performance certificates for buildings were gazetted for public comment in July 2018.

Prior to this, in December 2014, the EPC standard (SANS 1544:2014) was published. The implementation of the EPC regulations in December 2020 was therefore to be expected.

The regulations apply to private and state-owned buildings that meet the criteria for the mandatory display of an EPC. Non-compliance with the December 2022 deadline, which is considered a contravention of the National Energy Act, could see building owners being fined up to R5 million and/or face imprisonment for up to five years.

For more information, click here