Current Codes
Energy Performance Standard for Buildings
The Energy Performance Standard (EPN) is the Netherlands’ building energy code. It incorporates standards on efficiency for non-residential buildings (NEN-2916) and residential buildings (NEN-5128), as well as establishes other requirements such as the use of energy certificates for compliance.
Compliance Verification: All buildings are required to receive an energy certificate from a certified professional. The check is based on the appropriate standards by the Electronic Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and are completed by technicians and designers.
Helpful Links
- Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
- Dutch Green Building Council
- Energy Efficiency trends and policies in the Netherlands
- Third National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for the Netherlands April 30, 2014
- Evaluation of the Dutch Energy Performance Standard in the Residential and Services Sector February 15, 2007
History
In 2007, the Netherlands published an Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
As a member of the European Union, the Netherlands was required to comply with the Electronic Energy Performance of Buildings Directive passed in December 2002 (2002/91/EC). However, most of the regulations that the Netherlands had passed in 1995 covered the requirements of the EPBD. The first code they passed was NEN-2916, which set energy requirements for all non-residential buildings, and NEN-5128, for residential buildings. The main focus of the code is on thermal energy consumption. Both standards were included in the 1995 Energy Performance Standard (EPN). It set minimum requirements based on Energy Performance Coefficients for new buildings. The standards have since been strengthened, and has led to an increase of energy efficiency in residential buildings by 50%. The additional code that had to be implemented by the Netherlands was the Buildings Energy Certificate requirement. All buildings, new and existing, are required to obtain a certificate, and government-managed buildings are required to display them. The cost of obtaining these certificates is kept to a minimum, as the Netherlands is committed to keep all administrative costs for its citizens minimized.