New Build EPCs delayed until April 2008 (19th Nov 2007)

The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) have confirmed that new build dwellings ‘On Construction’ will need an Energy Performance Certificate based on full SAP2005 from the 6^th April 2008, consequently replacing the earlier implementation date of 1^st January 2008 (originally scheduled for 1^st October 2007).

Government is now in the process of approving Accreditation Schemes to be able to upgrade existing Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) assessors to support the 6^th April deadline. Elmhurst is at the forefront of this process and will be in contact with all our SAP assessors as soon as we have a firm offering that is ready to commence.

It is important to note that we expect this scheme to cover both the production of the EPC ‘On Construction’ and competent persons for Part L1 of the building regulations and the revised date for new build EPCs ties in with the implementation of the Code for Sustainable Homes scheduled for 6^th April 2008.

The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive also requires EPCs for commercial buildings, as well as domestic buildings. The current CLG guidelines are that these will also commence on a phased implementation from the 6^th April 2008: initially for 10,000m² or larger buildings, followed on the 1^st July 2008 for buildings of 2,500m² or greater. The final stage will include implementation of EPCs to all other commercial buildings and Display Energy Certificates for public access buildings from 1^st Oct 2008. 

We will continue to keep our members up to date with all the latest information as and when it is clarified by CLG.