Legal framework in Europe
Individual laws, regulations, and standards apply in each nation state, which are based on overarching EU requirements. We will introduce you to the most important ones.
Overview
This section explains the most important relevant legal basis in Europe and the nation states.
EPBD
The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) sets minimum standards for the energy efficiency of buildings across Europe and is a key instrument of EU climate policy. The aim is to reduce the energy consumption of buildings, cut COâ‚‚ emissions, and lay the foundation for a climate-neutral building stock by 2050.
International standardization
CEN and ISO are key organizations for international standardization. Together with national standards institutes, CEN and ISO develop uniform technical standards for products, services, and processes.
CEN and ISO also play a decisive role in the field of building digitization and have developed numerous standards that ensure compatibility, transparency, and future-proofing. These standards form the basis for innovative smart building solutions throughout Europe.
Regulation by nation states
What are the regulations in the respective countries? Which laws, regulations, and standards must be observed in each case?
EU Buildings Directive or Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
With the latest version of the EU Buildings Directive or Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) from 2024, the EU is calling for an indicator that can measure the intelligence of a building: the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI). Article 15 introduces the SRI and requires all member states to test it in national test phases by the end of June 2026 and to present the results to the European Commission.
If the assessment is positive, the SRI will become mandatory for large non-residential buildings with a rated output of 290 kW or more.
Präambel (56)
Reason
“The smart readiness indicator should be used to measure the capacity of buildings to use information and communication technologies and electronic systems to adapt the operation of buildings to the needs of the occupants and the grid and to improve the energy efficiency and overall performance of buildings. The smart readiness indicator should raise awareness among building owners and occupants of the value behind building automation and electronic monitoring of technical building systems and should give confidence to occupants about the actual savings of those new enhanced-functionalities. The smart readiness indicator is particularly beneficial for large buildings with a high energy demand. For other buildings, the scheme for rating the smart readiness of buildings should be optional for Member States.”
Article 15 (2)
“By 30 June 2026, the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the testing and implementation of the smart readiness indicator on the basis of the available results of the national test phases and other relevant projects.
Taking into account the outcome of that report, the Commission shall, by 30 June 2027, adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 32, supplementing this Directive by requiring the application of the common Union scheme for rating the smart readiness of buildings, in accordance with Annex IV, to non-residential buildings with an effective rated output for heating systems, air-conditioning systems, systems for combined space heating and ventilation, or systems for combined air-conditioning and ventilation of over 290 kW.”
Article 15 (4)
” Provided that the Commission has adopted the delegated act referred to in paragraph 2, it shall, by 30 June 2027, adopt an implementing act detailing the technical arrangements for the effective implementation of the application of the scheme referred to in paragraph 2 to non-residential buildings with an effective rated output for heating systems, air-conditioning systems, systems for combined space heating and ventilation, or systems for combined air-conditioning and ventilation of over 290 kW.”
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European standards
This section briefly outlines the most important relevant standards.
EN ISO 52120
This standard describes the functions of building automation and technical building management for improving the energy efficiency of buildings. It shows which minimum requirements should be implemented, how the effect of these functions on different building types can be assessed, and how the impact on a specific building can be evaluated in detail.
EN 15232
The European standard EN 15232 deals with the influence of building automation and building management on energy efficiency. It is the predecessor to EN ISO 52120, which has since been withdrawn.
EN ISO 52127
This standard describes how operation, monitoring, alerts, fault detection, reports, and energy management work in a building. All of this serves to improve energy efficiency and ensure it is maintained in the long term.
Regulations and standards of nation states
This interactive map will redirect you to the page with information about the relevant countries.