Accredited inspection bodies support energy performance certificates for buildings

The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) is actively promoting the roll-out of the new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Regulations.

This is being done through SANAS’ new accreditation programme for accreditation of inspection bodies that will issue EPCs for buildings in accordance with SANS 1544.

This comes after the EPC scheme was launched in 2014 but has remained “dormant”, as industry was awaiting the promulgation of the Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of Energy Performance Certificates for Buildings, which were promulgated last December, states SANAS inspection accreditation manager Linda Grundlingh.

“We take part in all promotional activities initiated by our partners such as The South African National Energy Development Institute and the Green Building Council South Africa as well as providing presentations to prospective accreditation applicants on accreditation requirements,” she says.

She explains that the regulation gazetted under Section 19 of the National Energy Act, requiring EPCs, applies to non-residential buildings with a net floor area of at least 2 000 m2 in the private sector, and 1 000 m2 for buildings owned, operated or occupied by an organ of the State.

Property owners and government entities have until December 7 next year to ensure that their buildings adhere to regulations.

She highlights that the first EPC since the promulgation of regulations last December was issued by SANAS-accredited EPC body Energy Management and Validation Services for the Admin B Building at Stellenbosch University.

“The promulgation of this regulation by government is a step forward in bringing the country in line with international best practices. “These regulations require that the energy performance of non-residential buildings, as measured in terms of the net energy consumed in kWh/m2/y, are periodically determined and prominently displayed.”

She stresses that this requires an EPC issued in terms of the SANS 1544:2014 by a SANAS-accredited body.

SANAS is the only national body responsible for carrying out accreditations in respect of conformity assessment, as mandated through the Accreditation for Conformity Assessment, Calibration and Good Laboratory Practices Act, No 19 of 2006.

“The inspection accreditation programme’s strategic objectives are focused on ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation services to support the work and requirements of regulators with the development of new regulatory accreditation programmes and accreditation support for industrial development,” she comments.

This accreditation programme is meant to support regulators and industry by providing inputs at all relevant regulatory and industry forums as well as guidance to national technical committees in regard to accreditation requirements.

Grundlingh adds that the programme also aims to protect the health and safety of the public and environment by providing an accredited inspection service that covers a large scope of the activities of local industry.