Energy performance certificate (EPC) schemes have not evolved much since their first introduction in the Member States to meet the mandatory requirements set out under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). With the recent revision proposal of the EPBD it has become critical to focus on EPCs and increase their usability for stakeholders.

All the Member States have legislation in place and existing infrastructure or systems to run EPC schemes. These schemes must evolve with the changing needs of the built environment and consider elements such as enhanced indoor comfort, reducing air pollution and financing options. This should occur alongside energy consumption analysis giving impetus to renovation rates of Member States towards achieving EU 2050 decarbonisation goals for the building sector set out under the European Green Deal. Public authorities view EPCs as potential instruments to improve the performance of existing building stock and deeper renovation. Extending the functionalities of existing EPC systems will create several pathways to update and manage next-generation EPCs.

This report presents the implementation guidelines and replicability potential of ten innovative features proposed within X-tendo: (i) smart readiness, (ii) comfort, (iii) outdoor air pollution, (iv) real energy consumption, (v) district energy, (vi) EPC databases, (vii) building logbook, (viii) enhanced recommendations, (ix) financing options, and (x) one-stop-shops.

The outcome of this report is a critical presentation of the barriers and drivers for each feature’s wide uptake, their impact if implemented by Member States and the necessary next steps in order to implement the innovative features in certification schemes around Europe. The developed features were tested in nine countries: Austria (AT), UK-Scotland (UK), Italy (IT), Denmark (DK), Estonia (EE), Romania (RO), Portugal (PT), Poland (PL) and Greece (GR). Then the experts who tested them provided deeper insights, appropriate directions and policy perspectives which provided in turn a realistic estimation for its implementation and replicability across different Member States.

The replicability potential is mainly analysed based on qualitative information collected from previous investigations in the project and extensive focus groups within project implementing countries. However, an estimation of the quantitative effects of the implementation of innovative features into the EPC schemes is also performed for X-tendo countries based on the results of the testing activities together with use of a building stock model.