On 6 March 2015, the Federal Council approved the draft bill to amend the Energy Services Act (EDL-G) in order to implement Article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive.
Companies in all sectors, such as retail, banking, tourism, insurance or public sector organisations, which are not small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as defined by the European Commission (2003/361/EC), must carry out an energy audit in accordance with EN 16247-1 by 5 December 2015.
As a result, more than 50,000 organisations – with some estimates suggesting that around 90,000 non-SMEs will be affected – are required to systematically analyse their energy consumption every four years and identify potential savings. Alternatively, by December 2015 at the latest, upon provision of evidence, companies may begin implementing an energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001 or an environmental management system in accordance with EMAS (certification by 31 December 2016). If the directive is not implemented by the affected companies, administrative fines of up to €50,000 or sanctions based on turnover may be imposed. The EDL-G Act is expected to come into force at the end of April/beginning of May, and the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) has been instructed to specify the requirements regarding the conduct of energy audits in due course.
Your contact: Michael Schack | Head of Management Systems | schack[at]qubus.de | Tel. +49 7171 10408-14