Simplified Building Energy Rating for non-residential buildings to be introduced from 24th May 2026
- Published on: 8 May 2026
- Last updated on: 8 May 2026
A simplified Building Energy Rating (BER) scale for non-residential buildings will be introduced from the 24th May 2026 under requirements of the European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Following the simplification of the BER scale for residential properties announced earlier this month, the new 8 point scale for non-residential buildings will similarly go from A to G, with a new A0 category to be introduced for zero-emission buildings that do not use fossil fuels.
The scale for non-residential buildings will apply to public buildings, hotels, retail and office space amongst others. The new EU requirements are part of the drive to reduce greenhouse gases and improve the energy performance of buildings within the European Union. These changes will lead to a harmonised approach to BERs across the European Union, allowing greater comparability of the energy efficiency of building stock amongst EU Member States.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne, TD, said:
“The simplification of the BER scales for non-residential buildings follows the recent introduction of the new scale for residential properties earlier this month, under the European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. A simplified, common scale from A to G will now be used in both residential and non-residential buildings and a new class known as A-Zero (‘A0’) will be introduced to reflect the very highest performing buildings in terms of energy efficiency. The non-residential building sector is by no means uniform in terms of energy use, covering a range of building types from public buildings, to commercial and office premises. With that variety of use in mind, my Department has been working to introduce the A0 rating and to simplify the BER scale in a way that minimises disruption to building owners, while complying with the new EU requirements.”
The revised BER certificate will contain additional metrics on energy use, climate related performance and recommendations for improvements to energy performance for BER holders. All existing BER certs remain valid for mandatory requirements such as sale, rent or advertisement of a property. Existing BER certs remain valid from their date of issue for up to ten years.
ENDS
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU/2024/1275) is the European Union's main legislative instrument aimed at promoting the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the European Union, whilst reducing greenhouse gases. As part of transposition, there is a requirement to do the following before 29th May 2026:
- Rescale BER classes and introduce a definition of Zero-emission buildings (ZEB)
- Provide ZEB Renovate thresholds for renovated non-residential buildings
- Update the calculation methodology for BER classes in line with other EU Member States.
Simplified Scale
From 24 May 2026 the BER scale will be simplified to A, B, C, D, E, F, G, with all subcategories removed. This will reduce the number of levels displayed on the BER certificate from 15 to a more accessible 8 categories. There will also be a new A-Zero or ‘A0’ category for zero-emission buildings with a very high energy performance that do not use fossil fuels. This will give greater recognition to these high performing homes.
In addition to the simplified scale additional information about energy use, renewable energy contribution and Global Warming Potential will also be available on the new certificate. A QR code to link to information about your BER and the energy upgrade for the specific home specific to the BER will also be incorporated into the new certificate providing ease of access to retrofit information for the homeowner.
Zero Emissions Buildings
A Zero Emission Building (A0) is a building with 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.
The maximum threshold of a zero emissions building is set in accordance with the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
A zero-emission building shall, where economically and technically feasible, offer the capacity to react to external signals and adapt its energy use, generation or storage. The operational greenhouse gas emissions of a zero-emission building shall comply with the maximum threshold established in the national building renovation plan.
In order to facilitate the renovation of public sector buildings to the most cost effective standards a Zero Emissions Building (ZEB) Renovate threshold is also being introduced.
Transitioning from existing BER certificates
All existing BER certificates will remain valid for 10 years from their date of issue unless major renovations have taken place.
All existing valid BERs will continue to meet the requirements for mandatory obligations e.g. sale, rental, conveyancing, advertising etc for the remainder of their 10-year validity period.
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New BER Certificate
Further information on the new BER certificate is available from SEAI at the following New Simplified BER Scale | Home Energy | SEAI
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Further information on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is available from the EU Commission at the following link: