COUNCIL RESOLUTION of 15 March 1985 on the rational use of energy in the building sector (85/C 78/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Council resolution of 15 January 1985 on the improvement of energy programmes in the Member States (1),

Having regard to the Commission communication of 13 November 1984 entitled "A European policy for the rational use of energy in the building sector",

Considering the important implications of economically reasonable exploitation of the energy-saving potential of the building sector, particularly since this sector by itself accounts for about half of all potential energy savings,

Notes that the Commission will, in consultation with experts from the Member States, prepare a work programme covering the sectors referred to in its communication and in this resolution, taking account of experience gained by the Member States,

Welcomes the Commission's initiative, designed to supplement efforts already undertaken in the Member States to promote the rational use of energy in the building sector,

Notes that particularly in the framework of this programme, the Commission in consultation with experts from the Member States: - will as soon as possible conduct a detailed assessment of the pilot projects relating to the upgrading of the energy efficiency of existing buildings already carried out by some Member States after thermal auditing in order to identify and compare the methods used, the recommendations deriving from the audits and the results obtained,

- may, in the light of the conclusions of that assessment, be able to undertake pilot actions of Community interest, as referred to in its communication,

- will examine questions relating to the placarding of the energy consumption of buildings by a process of certification, in order to improve the flow of information to the parties concerned on the state of the real estate market and to give credit to the efforts made by the builders/owners,

- will continue its activities in the technical field, with a view particularly to the development of a specific Eurocode,

Reaffirms the importance of a detailed examination at Community level of definitions concerning standardized methods of measuring the thermal performance of buildings, taking account of climatic variations,

Notes the wisdom of a more detailed study of ways and means of improving thermal performance when existing buildings are renovated,

Emphasizes the importance of the regulations in force in the Member States to improve the energy performance of new buildings and, if necessary, of the introduction or reinforcement of such regulations,

Stresses the need to continue research/development and demonstration efforts in order to foster the development and use of new technologies and new products, as and where necessary,

Invites the Commission to keep it abreast of progress made with the work programme and to report to it on progress made in this area. (1) OJ No C 20, 22.1.1985, p. 1.