La transposición de la referencia a la certificación en la Directiva de eficiencia energética en edificios del año 2002, se hizo a través del Real Decreto 47/2007, de 19 de enero,[2]​ mediante el que se aprobó un Procedimiento básico para la certificación de eficiencia energética de edificios de nueva construcción, quedando pendiente de regulación, mediante otra disposición complementaria, la certificación energética de los edificios existentes.

Antes de que se regulara la certificación de edificios existentes tuvo lugar la aprobación del texto refundido de la Directiva de eficiencia energética en edificios de 2010, circunstancia que hace necesario transponer de nuevo al ordenamiento jurídico español las modificaciones que introduce con respecto a la Directiva modificada.

Si bien esta transposición podría realizarse mediante una nueva disposición que modificara el Real Decreto 47/2007, de 19 de enero, y que a la vez completara la transposición contemplando los edificios existentes, parece pertinente que, por economía administrativa"), se realice mediante una única disposición que refundiendo lo válido de la norma de 2007, la derogue y complete, incorporando las novedades que incorpora la nueva directiva y amplíe su ámbito a todos los edificios, incluidos los existentes.

En consecuencia, mediante el Real Decreto 235/2013, de 5 de abril, por el que se aprueba el procedimiento básico para la certificación de la eficiencia energética de los edificios,[3]​ se transpone parcialmente la Directiva 2010/31/UE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 19 de mayo de 2010, en lo relativo a la certificación de eficiencia energética de edificios, refundiendo el Real Decreto 47/2007, de 19 de enero, con la incorporación del Procedimiento básico para la certificación de eficiencia energética de edificios existentes, teniendo en consideración además la experiencia de su aplicación en los últimos cinco años.

Muchos de los contenidos que se citan aparecen en un documento de aclaraciones[4]​ publicado periódicamente y de forma acumulativa por el [Ministerio de Industria, Energía y Turismo]. A fin de no repetir la misma referencia al final de este capítulo, indicaremos simplemente que se trata de una "nota aclaratoria" cuando nos refiramos a contenidos del mismo.

Recognized documents

The legislation (art. 3 of the procedure of RD 235/2013) provides for a registry of "recognized documents"[5]​.

There are three types of these documents:

a) Energy efficiency rating computer programs.

b) Specifications and technical guides or comments on the technical-administrative application of the energy efficiency certification.

c) Any other document that facilitates the application of the energy efficiency certification, excluding those that refer to the use of a particular product or system or one under patent.

The first, which are those used to calculate the energy rating of the building, are in turn subdivided into two:

Other procedures were previously in force:

In the section on "characteristics of documents recognized for qualification" of this article, the characteristics of each of them are discussed.

Content

The energy efficiency certificate of the building or building unit must contain at least the following information (according to art. 6 of RD 235/2013):

When should it be obtained

Royal Decree 235/2013 provides for three situations in which it is mandatory to obtain the certificate (article 2):

In addition, the Urban Rehabilitation, Regeneration and Renewal Law introduces the energy efficiency certificate as part of the Building Assessment Report. Therefore, it will be mandatory to obtain it for the existing buildings to which the Report must be available (see first transitional provision of the Law). These are:

The following buildings are exempt:

The building's energy efficiency certificate must:

The certificates obtained under the previous legislation (RD 47/2007) remain valid for the period initially indicated.

The certificate has a maximum validity of 10 years and the autonomous communities are responsible for regulating the renewal or updating, which in any case is the responsibility of the owner. The latter may always carry out the aforementioned update (voluntarily, no obligation is established) before the deadline when the conditions of the building or unit have changed (art.11).

When should it be presented or exhibited

This issue is regulated by art. 14 of RD 235/2013 and by article 83.3 of the Sustainable Economy Law.

According to the explanatory note of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism 5.14. The sale for which the certificate must be delivered takes place at the time of signing the deeds, not in the deposit contract. In units of a building, either the certificate for the entire building or one specific to that unit can be used (clarification 5.2). In press advertisements it is possible to mention only the letter for consumption and emissions, and in advertisements that are placed on the outside of buildings (such as doorways and balconies) and that only contain the contact telephone number, it is not necessary for the rating to appear (clarification 6.2). In the case of vacation rentals, it is not necessary to indicate the qualification, because the building is exempt (clarification 6.6).

Competent Technicians

Article 1.3 section p and art. 7 and 8 of the Procedure, contained in Royal Decree 235/2013, do not limit the professionals authorized to certify buildings. Yes, a later explanatory note[4]​ from the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism does so, which lists a large number of engineering and technical engineering degrees, including those not linked in any way to construction, as well as a degree in chemistry. However, this clarification is made pending a Ministerial Order that at the time of writing this paragraph (August 2014) has not been published. All certificate documents must be signed by the same technician.

The autonomous communities can publish records of qualified technicians and companies (Third Transitional Provision of RD 235/2013).

Registration and public information

The certificates are registered with the Autonomous Communities (art. 5.6 of RD 235/2013). This information is public and there is no possibility for interested parties to request the Administration to stop it being public (clarification 5.7).

Inspection and sanctioning regime

The CCAA must annually carry out a control on a part of the registered certificates, directly or through agents to whom they delegate that responsibility (art. 9 of RD 235/2013). If discrepancies are detected, the promoter or owner is notified, offering a deadline for correction or allegations.

Although article 18 of RD 235/2013 is dedicated to infractions and sanctions, the bulk of the regulation in this sense is provided by Law 8/2013 on Urban Rehabilitation, Regeneration and Renewal, third and fourth additional provisions.

The amount of the sanctions ranges between:

Certain modifiers for recidivism are also included.