Types of Building Certification Systems
Building certification systems could be divided into two main categories: mandatory and voluntary. The market for voluntary building certification schemes is mainly developed and used for commercial buildings. Public and private users rely primarily on the mandatory Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) required by the EPBD. [1]
Mandatory building certification systems: Mandatory certifications are typically required by local authorities and are designed to meet specific regulatory standards. These systems are usually more robust and are intended to cover a wide range of building types and uses to fulfil public policy goals. Examples of mandatory frameworks include Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and minimum energy efficiency requirements. In the European Union, new regulations are being introduced, such as the nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB) and zero-emission buildings (ZEB) standards, which will become mandatory for new buildings starting in 2028. Future regulations are also expected to include a CO2 life cycle perspective and align with the Level(s) framework, further integrating sustainability into the building process.
Very often mandatory requirements are supported by different type of standards. A standard is a defined set of guidelines and criteria used to evaluate and judge the quality or performance of a product or process. In the context of building practices, standards are typically developed through consensus by recognized organizations such as ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) or ISO International Standards Organization, which plays a crucial role in defining and developing global standards. These standards frequently influence industry norms and can become legal requirements. Standards may include requirements that are either prescriptive, specifying the methods to achieve compliance, or performance-based, outlining the desired outcomes without prescribing how they should be achieved.
[1] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2016-11/voluntary_0.pdf
