Synopsis
These regulations amend the European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2012.
These changes update the mandatory format for Building Energy Rating (BER) certificates. The rating system was updated. Additional BER metrics to be included in certificates concern energy use, global warming potential and operational greenhouse gas emissions.
Summary
The European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 amended the European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2012 on 24 May 2026.
The regulations transpose Article 19(2) of the Recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU) 2024/1275 to Irish law.
This legislation applies in the Republic of Ireland only.
What will change?
The European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 update the mandatory format to be used for Building Energy Rating (BER) certificates from 24 May 2026. Rating classes are updated and additional BER metrics will concern energy use, global warming potential and operational greenhouse gas emissions.
Zero-emissions buildings
Under the new format, zero-emissions buildings will be granted rating A0. These are buildings with an annual primary energy use of 42 kWh/m2 or less that meet stated zero-emissions building criteria.
Rules for the classification of zero-emissions buildings may be revised in the future. Different thresholds may be set for renovated buildings. Ireland’s National Building Renovation Plan will set operational greenhouse gas emissions performance standards for zero-emissions buildings.
Additionally, zero-emissions buildings must, where economically and technically feasible, offer the capacity to react to external signals and adapt energy use, generation or storage.
Revised rating classes
The lowest rating (G) concerns buildings with an annual primary energy use exceeding 375 kWh/m2. The remaining classes (using letters A through F) are distributed between A0 and G.
Background
The European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2012 aim to improve the energy performance of buildings, while requiring the assessment and communication of building performance through BER certificates.
Definition
Zero-emission building - a building with a very high energy performance, as determined in accordance with Annex I to the Recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU) 2024/1275, requiring zero or a very low amount of energy, producing zero on-site carbon emissions from fossil fuels and producing zero or a very low amount of operational greenhouse gas emissions.
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