Press Release: Energy Performance of Buildings: European Commission sends Reasoned Opinions to nine Member States

The European Commission has sent reasoned opinions - the last step before a formal complaint to the Court of Justice is lodged - to Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, the Slovak Republic, Spain and the United Kingdom, for failure to notify sufficient national implementing measures requested in the 2002 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The aim of the Directive is to reduce energy consumption in buildings by obliging Member States to lay down minimum energy performance standards and apply those for new buildings and for bigger existing buildings. It is thus an important part of EU legislation aimed at improving overall energy efficiency.