Table of Contents
“EPC and SRI Current Coverage and Uptake Policies” Deliverable is part of SmarterEPC’s ongoing effort to support the harmonisation and effective implementation of EPC and SRI schemes. These instruments are central to achieving the ambitious energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and sustainability objectives set by the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV). The report serves two main purposes:
- Snapshot of the Present: It documents the current legal status, coverage, data infrastructure, and practical tools associated with EPCs and SRI across EU Member States.
- Forward-Looking Perspective: It models future scenarios for EPC and SRI uptake, providing evidence-based recommendations for policy and market development.
Key Findings
1. EU Wide Overview
- EPC Coverage: While EPC frameworks are established in all Member States, their effectiveness, data quality, and public accessibility vary widely. Coverage gaps are especially notable in the existing building stock.
- Compliance and Enforcement: Enforcement mechanisms differ significantly, with some countries displaying strong compliance and others facing persistent challenges in ensuring EPCs are issued and used as intended.
- Data Infrastructure: The maturity of EPC databases and the degree of public access differ across the EU. Some countries have advanced, transparent digital systems; others have limited or fragmented data availability.
- Quality Assurance: Assessor qualifications and quality assurance practices are not fully harmonised, impacting the reliability of EPC data.
- Use of Data: EPC data is increasingly used for policy, planning, and financing, but interoperability and standardisation remain hurdles.
- Digitalisation: There is a clear trend towards digitalisation and integration of EPC and SRI systems, but progress is uneven.
- SRI Implementation: The SRI is still in its early phase, with varying degrees of administrative readiness and integration with EPCs. National rollouts and pilot projects are underway, but full-scale implementation is limited.
2. Country-Specific Insights
The report features in-depth analyses for Cyprus, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and Romania. Each national section explores the current status of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) implementation, highlighting unique challenges, progress, and lessons for broader EU policy
Summary of results are:
| Country | EPC Coverage & Quality | Enforcement & Compliance | Data Infrastructure | SRI Implementation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Moderate, gaps in existing stock | Needs improvement | Limited public access | Early stage, pilots |
| Finland | High, mature digital system | Strong | Advanced, integrated | Pilots, alignment ongoing |
| France | Comprehensive, regional gaps | Improving | Accessible, policy use | Early stage, pilots |
| Greece | Growing, improving quality | Strengthening | Evolving, more access | Pilots, gradual integration |
| Italy | Well developed, regional disparities | Varies by region | Robust, needs standardisation | Preparation, pilots |
| Netherlands | Advanced, comprehensive | Strong | Highly accessible, integrated | Active pilots, integration |
| Romania | Established, rural gaps | Needs strengthening | Functional, needs improvement | Early stage, groundwork |
Barriers and Challenges
The report identifies several persistent barriers:
- Weak enforcement and compliance mechanisms
- Immature or fragmented data infrastructure
- Low public awareness and engagement
- Limited interoperability and standardisation
- Variations in national policy ambition and administrative capacity
Future Scenarios
In the document, you can find three scenarios for the trajectory of EPC and SRI implementation from 2025 to 2040, which start from the current trends, resulting in slow progress and insufficient coverage. The second scenario presents stronger policy action, improved compliance, and broader coverage. The third one and the more suited one is the scenario of full digitalisation, harmonised data frameworks, and integrated EPC/SRI systems, enabling maximum impact and alignment with EPBD IV goals.
Strategic Recommendations
To overcome identified barriers and unlock the full potential of EPC and SRI schemes, the report proposes several actionable recommendations:
- Standardise EPC data collection and reporting through EU-wide harmonised formats and guidelines.
- Enhance database accessibility and transparency, promoting anonymised data for research and policy development.
- Facilitate interoperability and data sharing between national and EU-level systems to improve data quality and availability.
- Achieve comprehensive EPC coverage across all building segments, including residential, commercial, and public sectors.
- Strengthen enforcement and compliance mechanisms, especially for mandatory EPC provision at sale or rental.
- Support ongoing research and innovation to refine EPC and SRI methodologies and inform policy.
Supporting Tools and Next Steps
The findings from D2.2 directly inform the development of the SmarterEPC hub—a centralised digital platform for streamlined EPC and SRI issuance—and the EPC Atlas, an interactive online tool for tracking national progress and implementation status. The deliverable will be updated in June 2026 to reflect regulatory changes, practical experiences, and stakeholder feedback.
“Deliverable D2.2 is a foundational resource for building a smarter, more sustainable, and energy-efficient Europe. Its evidence-based insights and recommendations will guide the harmonisation and digital transformation of EPC and SRI schemes across the EU.”
For more information or to participate in the next phase, contact the SmarterEPC project team.
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If you are a policymaker, certified energy assessor, or building technology stakeholder involved in the rollout of the EPBD 2024 and the Smart Readiness Indicator, this document is for you.
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In June 2025, SmarterEPC featured at the policy session: “From Policy to practice: fair and competitive energy performance of buildings directive implementation”, where we presented our deliverable outcomes as well.
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