Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have been a requirement for existing domestic properties for a short while now. Also under articles 7 to 10 of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive the government plans to role out further additions to this during 2008 with Letting's, New Builds and Commercial Properties and also introduce Display Certificates to public buildings.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is broadly similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. For domestic properties its purpose is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate 
will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.
Details of all aspects of the EPBD directive can be found on the Government web site:-
