31976H0492

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 4 May 1976 on the rational use of energy by promoting the thermal insulation of buildings (76/492/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to the draft from the Commission,

Whereas, in its resolution of 17 September 1974 concerning a new energy policy strategy for the Community (1), the Council accepted as an objective the "reduction of the rate of growth of internal consumption by measures for using energy rationally and economically without jeopardizing social and economic growth objectives";

Whereas, in its resolution of 17 December 1974 on a Community action programme on the rational utilization of energy (2), the Council noted that, in its communication to the Council entitled "Rational utilization of energy", the Commission had drawn up a Community action programme in this field;

Whereas a suitable system should be introduced to inform the public of the best ways of improving the thermal insulation of buildings, thereby helping to promote the rational use of energy;

Whereas the measures recommended are likely to produce sufficiently large savings in energy to make the required investment economically worthwhile,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS TO THE MEMBER STATES:

1. that they organize or sponsor specific information campaigns designed to stimulate public interest in improving inadequate or poor-quality thermal insulation systems in residential accommodation, particularly by setting up, reorganizing or maintaining information and advisory agencies or offices capable of providing practical information in each case;

2. that, in order to ensure the utmost effectiveness of the measures described in point 1: 2.1. they assess the average extent of thermal insulation in existing residential accommodation, in particular by sample surveys, and endeavour to find methods of improving it;

2.2. they organize competitions or draw up development programmes to obtain the best original ideas for improving insulation in existing residential accommodation, with particular reference to the investment required and to cost effectiveness in terms of energy savings;

3. that they adopt the harmonized Community reference standards for thermal insulation which are to be drawn up for use in the implementation of all laws, regulations and administrative measures, in particular to ensure that: 3.1. the criteria used as a basis for assessment are identical in all Community countries,

3.2. building materials and components may circulate freely on the Community's internal market.

The standards should be applied in stages to every type of building in turn, beginning in 1980 with office and public buildings.

Done at Brussels, 4 May 1976.

For the Council

The President

G. THORN (1)OJ No C 153, 9.7.1975, p. 1. (2)OJ No C 153, 9.7.1975, p. 5.