Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legally required verification of the energy utilisation and efficiency of a building. A certificate remains valid for five years, then recertification is required.

Does your building need an EPC?

Property owners are required to certify privately-owned buildings larger than 2000 m2 in these categories:

Offices

Entertainment and public assembly (restaurants, night clubs, sports pubs, gyms, etc)

Places of instruction (schools, colleges, universities, Technikons)

Theatrical and indoor sport (movie theatres, live theatres, etc)

Government buildings larger than 1000 m2 also need to comply.

Penalties for non-compliance

It's estimated that around 250 000 buildings still require certification.

Is yours one of them?

Non-compliance will be in contravention of section 20 of the National Energy Act and the penalty is a fine of ZAR 5 million, five years imprisonment, or both.

The deadline is 7 December 2025.

Benefits of energy efficient buildings

If you're a building owner, compliance with EPC regulations will enable you to identify where you could introduce energy efficiency measures that:

Save you money by making your building less expensive to run

Increase the value of your building

Create a better working environment

Contribute to taking electricity demand off the constrained national grid

Reduce carbon emissions and help to combat climate change

A good EPC rating attracts and retains tenants and has an impact on resale value of property.

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