Energy consumption for buildings-related services accounts for approximately one third of total EU energy consumption. The Commission considers that, with initiatives in this area, significant energy savings can be achieved, thus helping to attain objectives on climate change and security of supply. Community-level measures must be framed in order to deal with such Community-level challenges.

Within that context, the EU launched a legislative procedure which set in place the Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings. The Directive is part of the Community initiatives on climate change under the Kyoto Protocol and constitutes a major element of the general objective to save energy and thus enhance the security of supply.

This Directive is a complement to the measures on boilers (92/42/EEC), construction products (89/106/EEC), as well as to the SAVE programme provisions on buildings.

According to the directive, Member States must apply minimum requirements as regards the energy performance of new and existing buildings, ensure the certification of their energy performance and require the regular inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems in buildings.