The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy has, under section 19(1)(b) of the National Energy Act, published regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) for Buildings in Notice 700 of Government Gazette 43792 of 8 December 2020. The regulations were further amended on 25 November 2023 to extend the compliance date to 7 December 2025. This Regulation requires that building owners obtain an Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and display it at the entrance of that building by 7 December 2025 or possibly face a fine not exceeding R5 million, imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years, or both.
This EPC is a certificate that indicates a building’s energy efficiency to operate a building and shows the amount of energy consumed per square metre of the building. EPCs for buildings are developed in accordance with South African National Standards.
An EPC is only issued by a Registered EPC Professional and is valid for 5 years from the date of registration with the annual fee payable every year.
The buildings which need an EPC?
- Public buildings which are owned, operated, or occupied by an organ of state with a minimum net floor area of 1 000 square metres.
- Private buildings which are not owned, operated, or occupied by an organ of state with a minimum net floor area of 1 000 square metres.
- Existing buildings which have been in operation for 2 (two) years or longer and have not been subject to any major renovations (changes to a building or structural changes that require planning approval) or change of occupancy within the last 2 (two) years.
The occupancy classes are :
- Entertainment and Public Assembly
Occupancy where persons gather to eat, drink, dance and participate in other recreation.
- Theatrical and Indoor Sports
Occupancy where persons gather for the viewing of choral, theatrical, operatic, orchestral or sport performances.
- Places of Instruction
Occupancy where school children or students assemble for the purpose of learning.
- Offices
Large multi-storey or stand-alone office buildings, banks and consulting rooms.
Further information on the application, assessment process and a list of Registered EPC Professionals can be accessed at https://epc.sanedi.org.za/home
A sample of an Energy Performance Certificate for Buildings
Tel: +27 31 5705570, Email: sonya.vanblerk@gb.co.za