The new EPC NR requirement: What does this mean for your business?
Flanders is taking a new, important step in its long-term strategy to make its building stock carbon neutral by 2050. Are you the owner of an office, shop, catering establishment or other non-residential building? Then it is crucial to be aware of the impending obligation regarding the Non-Residential Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC NR for short.
This legislation is more than a formality; it is an important step towards more energy-efficient and valuable commercial properties.
The most important dates and rules at a glance
The introduction of the EPC NR will take place in phases and depends on the size and type of building.
- From 1 January 2025: Large non-residential building units of 1,000 m² or more must have a valid EPC NR, regardless of whether they are being sold or rented.
- From 1 January 2026: All large non-residential building units (those that do not meet the criteria for a 'small' NR building, see below) must have a valid EPC NR, regardless of sale or rental. This is the crucial deadline for many entrepreneurs!
- Validity: The EPC NR is only valid for 5 years, as opposed to 10 years for residential EPCs.
- What if you don't comply? Administrative fines ranging from €500 to €5,000 may be imposed.
What is a 'large' or 'small' unit?
| Category | Usable floor space | Main feature | Certificate |
| Large NR Unit | More than 500 m² or part of a complex > 1,000 m² | Mandatory EPC NR | EPC NR (valid for 5 years) |
| Small NR Unit (kNR) | Maximum 500 m² and not part of a complex > 1,000 m² | Choice between EPC NR or simplified EPC kNR* | EPC NR or EPC kNR (valid for 10 years) |
*EPC kNR stands for Energy Performance Certificate for Small Non-Residential Buildings
Which buildings fall under the EPC NR?
The EPC NR obligation applies to a wide range of buildings that are mainly used for non-residential purposes. Examples include:
- Offices and administrative buildings: standard office buildings, government buildings, bank branches, etc.
- Commercial premises (shops): retail outlets, supermarkets, department stores and showrooms.
- Catering and recreational buildings: restaurants, cafés, hotels, sports centres, theatres and museums.
- Education and healthcare: schools, university buildings, hospitals, residential care centres and nurseries.
- Other services: professional practices (doctors, solicitors, etc.), libraries, and social service buildings.
Certain building types and situations are exempt from the EPC NR obligation. More information can be found here.
What does the EPC NR entail?
The EPC NR certificate provides a clear picture of your building's energy performance, based on actual energy consumption (based on meter readings) and the amount of renewable energy you generate yourself.
It includes:
- An Energy Label (A+ to F), which indicates how energy efficient your building is.
- Tailored recommendations for energy-saving measures.
Important for tenants/users: as a user of a building, you are obliged to provide the necessary energy consumption data required for the certificate to be issued at the owner's request.
The solution: Artion
The new obligation requires action and a structured approach. At Artion, we understand that this entails additional administration and coordination. That is why we offer you two simple ways to comply with this obligation.
Complete peace of mind through our partners
We take care of the complete coordination and central management of your file.
- Selection and recommendation: we put you in touch with a certified Type D Energy Expert from our reliable network and refer them to you for the investigation.
- Planning and execution: the partner carries out the necessary surveys and draws up the report.
- Central availability: the partner uploads the final EPC NR report directly to your Artion platform, making all documents centrally and securely available.
Keep track of your EPC report yourself
Already working with a trusted partner? No problem.
- Our platform offers the possibility to easily and centrally keep track of all collected documents and the final EPC report from your own energy expert.
This means you always have an organised, digital file that you can present during an inspection and that helps you meet the five-year deadline.
Artion: your partner in (legal) compliance
Statutory inspections, such as those for the EPC NR, are only part of the complex compliance requirements for building owners.
Artion is a comprehensive compliance management tool that centralises and automates the follow-up of all statutory periodic inspections of your installations (fire safety, lifts, electrical installations, and now also EPC NR). This allows you to manage all your legal obligations from a single, clear platform.
Time to take action!
Don't wait until the deadline in 2026. Timely planning avoids stress and fines and ensures that you can take the necessary steps to make your building more energy efficient.
Contact our support team (support@artion.eu) to start the process for your EPC NR report immediately and discuss the option of complete peace of mind.
Request a no-obligation demo. Discover how Artion simplifies and centralises all your legal inspections and compliance processes.
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