Approved 16 December 2002.
The first European Directive on the energy performance of buildings.
This Directive set the bases for the development of the energy certification of buildings.
For the first time, it was mandatory to present the energy certificate of a building for new buildings or buildings that were sold or rented (Article 7). Additionally, public buildings, with a total useful floor area over 1000 m2 providing public services to a large number of persons and frequently visited by these persons, must show an energy certificate in a place clearly visible (Article 7). It also established that independent and accredited experts must carry out the energy certification of buildings (Article 10).