All buildings in Europe undergoing a major renovation would have to meet minimum national energy efficiency standards under a European commission proposal tabled on Thursday.  The revision of the EU's 2002 energy performance of buildings directive was announced as part of a wide-ranging package of measures on energy.

The proposal closely follows an earlier draft.  The commission wants to scrap a 1,000 square metre threshold above which existing buildings undergoing major refurbishment must meet minimum national standards.  It proposes to introduce comparative benchmarking between member states to drive up these standards.

Under the proposal, energy performance certificates would have to be used in all sales and rent advertising, the inspection of boilers and heating systems would be improved and member states would have to introduce penalties for non-compliance.

One way in which Thursday's proposal differs from earlier drafts is that it sets out a stronger role for the public sector.  The commission wants EU states to set a separate target for developing low- and zero-energy buildings in this sector "taking into account [its] leading role".

Such a target may have to be binding to ensure the states meet commitments in national energy efficiency action plans, says Andrew Warren of industry association Euroace.  He believes the role of the public sector will be a major point of contention between MEPs and EU governments when they come to discuss the draft law.

The proposal says little about financing.  Earlier drafts had been criticised for being too weak on financial incentives to drive energy efficiency investments.  The preamble suggests that from 2014 member states should no longer provide incentives to construct or renovate buildings which do not meet minimum standards.

Follow-up: European commission, tel: +32 2 299 1111, plus memo, proposed directive and impact assessment in full and summary.  See reaction from Euroace and Eurima.