The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008, known as the EPC Regulations came into operation 30 June 2008. The Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) were the enforcement authority until this was transferred to local authority on 3 December 2009.
These Regulations were introduced to fulfil obligations placed on all member states by a European Union Directive relating to the energy performance of buildings. The aim of the EPC Regulations is to help achieve European Union carbon reduction targets as set out in the Kyoto Protocol.
Importantly, associated with each rating supplied under this legislation there is an accompanying report which addresses areas to improve so as the energy efficiency of the building can be improved. In this way these regulations can be an aid in the fight against fuel poverty.
