Is it possible to have different National Annexes or National Data Sheets for the same EPB standard, depending on the application?
Yes, see FAQ “Are there specific guidelines about how to fill in a National Annex to an EPB standard?“ 2022-04-02
Do the EPB standards contain energy performance (EP) requirements?
As a general rule, CEN and ISO standards as such do not impose any regulation. Laws and regulations may refer to standards, because standards provide harmonized specifications (e.g. terminology, key characteristics) and harmonized methods for tests or calculations. The EPB standards contain methodologies to assess the EP, and specifications of EP characteristics, including EP indicators, […]
Most EPB standards allow specific national or regional input data, provided the template given in Annex A of the standard is respected. Is it allowed to refer to tables or formulas instead of a single default value?
Yes. For instance a value depending on the application or depending on specific conditions or year of construction. As long as the result is a value for the required input data. Read more on flexibility / national choices 2019.07.22
Which organisations are developing National Annexes? Where does the funding, requirements or initiatives come from?
The responsible organizations for publishing National Annexes are the National Standards Bodies and/or the national or regional authorities. Preferably it should be the National Standards Body (NSB). See FAQ Are all National Annexes and National Datasheets publicly available? for an extensive explanation of the different options. The actual development of the National Annexes for the […]
Why are the technical reports not integrated in the EPB standards? It would make the combined document less expensive.
The correct understanding and application of EPB-standards requires extensive informative clarification such as: reason for the choices made in selecting methods; intended use of the different methods; correct evaluation of data input; information to those responsible for national implementation. If the informative content is mixed with the normative content, the standards may become confusing and […]
What is the difference between a National Annex and a National Data Sheet?
Each country/region can make a specific set of choices, according to the template of Annex A of a given EPB standard, for the assessment of the energy performance. Or different sets, depending on the application. Once this template of Annex A is filled in with the national data and choices, it can be published. If […]
How many EU countries have prepared and published a National Annex or National Datasheet for national application?
Examples of currently published publicly available NA’s and ND’s can be found on the EPB Center website, Further to this, there are a few NA’s and ND’s that we are not allowed to share, because of copyright issues. You are invited to read FAQ Are all National Annexes and National Datasheets publicly available? for more […]
Is the set of EPB standards used exclusively for energy performance certification or also for design?
The most time-consuming task when preparing a calculation for an energy performance certificate or compliance check, is describing the building with all it’s details. So, if the same calculation procedure can be used also for design calculations it makes life much easier. Moreover, you ensure that you use compatible definitions and assumptions. For exactly this […]
Each EPB standard allows specific choices to accommodate national/regional differences in climate, building tradition, policy and user behaviour. Is it then allowed for a national authority to make specific choices mandatory?
Indeed, each country/region can make specific choices to accommodate national/regional differences in climate, building tradition, policy and user behaviour, as long as the template of Annex A of a given EPB standard is respected. These choices are laid down in a National Annex or National Data Sheet on that standard. Such a document is in […]
Why is not the full set of EPB standards available at global (ISO) level?
In general, the choice to start the development of a new standard is up to the stakeholders. The development of the set of EPB standards was originally initiated by the European Commission under mandate M/480, to support the energy performance of buildings directive, EPBD (link to EPBD). Europe started to develop EPB-related CEN (=European) standards […]