Energy performance certificate

The energy label, harmonised

The certificate is what most owners know as the energy label. The definition sets two conditions: it must be recognised by a Member State or a body it designates, and it must report energy performance calculated with the national methodology under Article 4.

EPBD IV changes what the certificate looks like. By 29 May 2026 it must follow the template in Annex V and show the class on a closed scale using only letters from A to G, with A for zero-emission buildings (Article 19(2)). Member States that rescaled their classes between 1 January 2019 and 28 May 2024 may wait until 31 December 2029. The certificate includes recommendations for improvement (Article 19(5)), and from 1 January 2028 the life-cycle GWP for new buildings above 1,000 m² (Article 7(2)). It is valid for at most 10 years (Article 19(13)).

Article 20 decides when one is needed, including on construction, after a major renovation and on sale or rental. Article 21(2) requires it to be displayed in a prominent and clearly visible place in a non-residential building for which one has been issued. Compliance with minimum energy performance standards is checked on the basis of certificates (Article 9(1)).

In the Netherlands the certificate is the energielabel. RVO lists the changes since 29 May 2026: a new design, no exemption for monuments, a label after major renovation, and a valid label for every building owned or used by a public body and every office. The ILT checks that a valid label is present at sale, rental and delivery. RVO expects the new A to G scale in 2030.