The Council today adopted a revised directive on the energy performance of buildings, so completing the final stage in the legislative procedure.

The directive improves energy efficiency in buildings and encourages building renovation. Decarbonising the existing, highly inefficient European building stock is one of its long term goals. It promotes cost-effective renovation work, introduces a smartness indicator for buildings, simplifies the inspections of heating and air conditioning systems and promotes electro-mobility by setting up a framework for parking spaces for electric vehicles.

I am very pleased that ministers have today given their approval to the directive on the energy performance of buildings. Enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings is one of the most cost-effective ways of improving the quality of life for all of us. It helps in moving towards a low-carbon economy, which in turn generates economic growth, boosts investment and creates jobs. Temenuzhka Petkova, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria

Background and next steps

The review of the energy performance of buildings directive amends Directive 2010/31/EU and complements measures under the energy efficiency directive as well as EU legislation on energy efficiency of products. It is part of the Clean Energy package presented by the Commission on 30 November 2016.

The Council agreed on a negotiating position on the directive in June 2017. Negotiations between the Estonian Presidency and the European Parliament led to a provisional agreement on 19 December 2017 which was confirmed by the EU ambassadors on 31 January 2018.

Following today's formal approval of the regulation by the Council, which is the final step in the legislative process, the directive will be published in the Official Journal of the EU, and will enter into force twenty days later. The transposition period for this legislation is 20 months.