This report addresses the implementation of Article 9, specifically minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for non-residential buildings and trajectories for progressive renovation of the residential building stock.

It provides an in-depth analysis of the policy needs of the EPBD.wise focus countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Ukraine)  to effectively implement Article 9, while also providing a comprehensive overview of the successes and barriers encountered in existing good practices across EU countries.

The structure of the deliverable involves two main parts. First, deriving the policy needs of the focus countries through questionnaires, bilateral discussions, and roundtable sessions with national stakeholders from the buildings sector, and from other relevant projects and studies. Second, conducting desk research to identify good practice examples from countries that have already implemented instruments relevant to Article 9, both in residential and non-residential sectors.

Regarding the elaboration of Article 9, EPBD.wise identified five main policy needs that will need to be strategically addressed to ensure a robust implementation at national level:

1) better availability and understanding of building stock data, in particular for the non-residential sector;
2) support in defining worst-performing buildings and methodology to identify them;
3) identification of investment needs, budgetary resources and how to leverage private investments;
4) enabling frameworks, such as energy performance certificates (EPCs), renovation passport (RPs) and training of qualified workforce; and
5) compliance the quality of the renovation.

It is important to note that this report does not offer recommendations. Rather, it aims to identify and compile the policy needs upon which tailored recommendations will be developed in subsequent stages of the project. In its next phase, EPBD.wise will address strategies for the progressive renovation of the residential building stock.