On the 23rd of April 2009 the European Parliament adopted by 549 votes to 51, with 26 abstentions, a legislative resolution amending, under the first reading of the co - decision procedure, the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast).
Of great interest to Display members or supporters of Display is the following amendment:
Amendment 94 Proposal for a directive Article 10 – paragraph 7 b.

“By 2011, on the basis of information received from Member States and in consultation with the relevant sectors, a voluntary common European Union certification for the energy performance of non-residential buildings shall be developed through the Committee procedure referred to in Article 21.

By 2012, Member States shall introduce the European Union voluntary certification system referred to in paragraph 1 in their countries to function alongside the national certification scheme.”

This proposal from the European Council comes as a huge surprise after the five years of lobbying by the Display team and seen as a positive step forward especially in light of the huge diversity and confusion in the existing National interpretations of the EPBD. See newsletter 21 – National reports.

The next important event in the recasting process will be in December this year when a political agreement on the common position is expected from the Council of Ministers.

For the full text from the European Parliament click here.