The European Commission said it sent a reasoned opinion to the government in Sofia to request the correct transposition of all the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010/31/EU) into national law.
Member states of the European Union are required to establish and apply minimum energy performance requirements for new and existing buildings, to ensure the certification of buildings’ energy performance as well as to ensure that regular inspections of heating and air conditioning systems take place, the statement said. A detailed examination of the national legislation transposing the directive revealed Bulgaria failed to ensure that energy performance certificates are always issued and handed to the prospective buyer or tenant for buildings or building units which are sold, constructed or rented out, according to the document.
Furthermore, national legislation contains exemptions from the energy performance requirements not foreseen in the directive, and inconsistencies with regard to the inspection frequency requirements for heating systems, EU’s executive arm said. Bulgarian authorities have two months now to notify the European Commission of measures taken to remedy the situation. Otherwise it can be refereed to the Court of Justice of the EU. A reasoned opinion is the second stage of procedure for infringements.
