Brussels, 20/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has sent reasoned opinions to Malta and Greece for partial transposition of the energy efficiency of buildings directive and to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom for incorrect implementation of the provisions on performance certificates.
On 20 November, the Commission officially asked Malta and Greece to discharge their obligations under directive 20/31/EC in full. This directive was supposed to have been fully transposed into national law by 9 July 2012. The European Executive sent Malta a reasoned opinion calling on the country to notify it of all implementation measures necessary, and Greece received a further reasoned opinion following the one sent in January calling on the country to transpose the directive in full.
The Commission has also called on the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to ensure that energy performance certificates are issued whenever buildings are sold or leased. Amsterdam and London were sent reasoned opinions, in June and September 2003 respectively, calling on them fully to transpose the provisions of the directive into their national laws.
In the absence of a satisfactory response from these four member states within a period of two months, the Commission may bring them before the Court of Justice.
Under Directive 2010/31/EC, the member states must establish and apply minimum standards for building performance, ensure that these performances are certified and carry out periodic inspections of heating and air conditioning systems. Lastly, they must ensure that all new buildings constructed from 2021 onwards are “zero energy”. (EH/transl.fl)