BCIA welcomes tougher commercial building energy standards but calls for greater ambition across the wider sector
The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has welcomed the government’s confirmation that privately rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 square metres in England and Wales will be expected to achieve a minimum EPC B rating by 2031, describing the move as an important step forward in improving the energy performance of the UK’s commercial building stock.
The BCIA believes the announcement sends a clear signal that improving building performance is becoming an increasingly important priority for the built environment.
Commenting on the announcement, BCIA President Jen Vickers said: “We welcome the government’s decision to strengthen minimum energy efficiency standards for larger non-domestic buildings. These buildings account for more than half of the sector’s total floor space and energy consumption, so improving their performance has the potential to deliver significant reductions in energy use, carbon emissions and operating costs.”
However, the Association has also expressed concern that smaller commercial buildings will remain subject to the existing EPC E requirement, with no confirmed timetable for further improvements.
“While this is undoubtedly a positive step forward, we would have liked to see greater ambition for smaller non-domestic buildings,” continued Jen Vickers. “Improving the performance of larger buildings will have a significant impact, but there remains considerable untapped potential across the wider commercial property sector. Thousands of smaller buildings could benefit from practical, cost effective energy efficiency improvements, and we hope this announcement represents the first step in a broader programme of reform.”
