24/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - Energy performance in buildings - Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Portugal in the dock. On Thursday 24 January, the European Commission sent reasoned opinions to the above member states requesting that they provide information on their measures to transpose Directive 2010/31/EC on energy performance in buildings. This directive requires member states to establish and apply a minimum of energy performance demands for new and existing buildings and to ensure their certification and performance. Regular inspections of heating and air conditioning systems are also required. The text stipulates that member states must strive to ensure that all new buildings are “zero energy” builds by 2012 and that they, therefore, produce as much energy as they consume. If they fail to respect their legal obligations in the next two months, the Commission may refer these four member states to the European Court of Justice. (EH/transl.fl)