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III. Directives Implementing the EU Environmental Policy
IV. Chart of the Directives and Enforcement Dates

Energy Demand

The European Community, together with its Member States, is working intensively to improve energy efficiency in all end-use sectors while at the same time increasing the use of renewable energies. Two important communications setting out the strategy for energy efficiency were adopted in 2000: the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency and the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) . The Action Plan serves as umbrella document outlining programs of Community legislative and non-legislative actions on energy efficiency. Many measures have been launched and put in place such as Directives and other policy measures. The ECCP was established to identify, analyze, evaluate and to recommend least-cost measures in all supply and end-use sectors for the EU to meet its Kyoto target.

In the following sections, you will find the programs that could affect your business:

1. Combined Heat and Power
2. Efficiency in Buildings
3. Efficiency in Energy Using Products
    3.1 The EUP
    3.2 Eco-design
    3.3 Domestic Appliances
    3.4 Office Equipment

2. Efficiency in Buildings

Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16th December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings (OJ L1, 4.1.2003, p. 65-70)

The objective of this Directive is to promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the Community, taking into account outdoor climatic and local conditions, as well as indoor climate requirements and cost-effectiveness.
This Directive lays down requirements for the States as regards:
(a) The general framework for a methodology of calculation of the integrated energy performance of buildings;
(b) The application of minimum requirements on the energy performance of new buildings;
(c) The application of minimum requirements on the energy performance of large existing buildings that are subject to major renovation;
(d) Energy certification of buildings;
(e) Regular inspection of boilers and of air-conditioning systems in buildings and in addition an assessment of the heating installation in which the boilers are more than 15 years old.

 

Directive Code	Directive Name	Directive Date	Date of Enforcement
2004/8/EC	promotion of cogeneration based on a useful heat demand in the internal energy market	11-Feb-2004	21-Feb-2004
2002/91/EC	energy performance of buildings	6-Dec-2002	4-Jan-2003