Office energy labels after 2030: a guide for businesses
Direct answer
The energy label for offices will be tightened further after 2030, but the exact required label class and the definitive year are not yet fixed. After the current obligation of at least label C, in force in the Netherlands since 1 January 2023, the government is preparing stricter energy performance requirements. This tightening follows from the revised European buildings directive EPBD and the national goal of a carbon-free building stock by 2050.
- Clear definition
- Data-driven assessment
- Risks and opportunities visible
- Practical next steps
Office energy labels after 2030: scattered information versus Energy Intelligence
Many Dutch office owners now meet the obligation of at least energy label C. The question is what comes next. Europe has revised its buildings directive to accelerate the improvement of the worst-performing buildings, towards a carbon-free building stock by 2050. For an owner or investor with an office around label C or D, this raises a concrete question: how much will I have to do, and when. This topic matters to anyone making property investment decisions now.
- Since 1 January 2023, a Dutch office must have at least energy label C: a primary fossil energy use of no more than 225 kilowatt-hours per square metre per year, laid down in the Buildings Environment Decree (Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving).
- The revised EPBD obliges member states to address the worst-performing non-residential buildings, using nationally determined thresholds; a fixed mandatory label class by an exact year has not yet been set for offices.
- Do not wait: improve step by step, because every measure counts towards the stricter requirements that are coming.
Insight
Traditional approach
Information is scattered across portals, documents, invoices or separate spreadsheets.
Modern approach
Data, context and interpretation are brought together into a clear decision picture.
Decision-making
Traditional approach
Choices are made based on averages, assumptions or occasional analyses.
Modern approach
Scenarios, KPIs and current measurement data make the trade-off more concrete and repeatable.
Follow-up
Traditional approach
Actions often stay non-committal or disappear into separate reports.
Modern approach
Follow-up actions, monitoring and reporting are linked to the same energy data.
What applies now and what is coming?
The current requirement is clear: since 1 January 2023, a Dutch office larger than 100 square metres must have at least energy label C. That means a primary fossil energy use of no more than 225 kilowatt-hours per square metre per year. If the building does not comply, you may no longer use it as an office. The next step has been announced, but is not yet set in stone. The revised European buildings directive, the EPBD, requires member states to tackle the worst-performing buildings. The precise Dutch implementation, which label class and which year, is still being worked out. A hard requirement of, for example, label A by 2030 has not been established at this time.
- Now in force: at least label C for offices, since 1 January 2023.
- The requirement is set out in the Buildings Environment Decree and enforced by municipalities and environmental agencies.
- Further tightening is an intention, not an established requirement.
- The future label class and year for offices are not yet definitive.
What does the revised EPBD mean for offices?
The revised European buildings directive EPBD entered into force on 28 May 2024. Member states must transpose the rules into national legislation. For non-residential buildings, including offices, the directive gradually introduces minimum energy performance standards, based on thresholds that each country sets itself. The aim at European level is to trigger the renovation of the 16 percent worst-performing buildings towards 2030 and the 26 percent worst-performing towards 2033. Importantly, this concerns nationally determined thresholds, not a uniform mandatory label letter. The Netherlands still has to set those thresholds and the exact implementation. Behind it stands the broader goal of a carbon-free building stock by 2050.
- The revised EPBD entered into force on 28 May 2024 and is being transposed into national law.
- For non-residential buildings, minimum standards will apply based on nationally determined thresholds.
- European reference point: the 16 percent worst-performing buildings towards 2030, 26 percent towards 2033.
- The concrete Dutch requirements for offices are still being worked out.
What is the sensible thing to do now?
Waiting until the new requirement is exactly fixed is risky, because the direction is clear and the requirements are getting stricter. Start with insight: request a current energy label and map your actual energy use. Then look at measures in a logical order, from insulation and LED lighting to an efficient installation and a more sustainable heating supply. It is sensible to link improvements to natural moments, such as replacing an installation or a renovation. This avoids double costs. Owners who improve step by step now stand stronger when the announced tightening takes effect, and meanwhile benefit from lower energy costs and a more pleasant building.
- Request a current energy label and measure actual energy use.
- Work in a logical order: first reduce demand, then improve supply.
- Link measures to natural moments such as maintenance or renovation.
- Improving step by step makes you less vulnerable to future requirements.
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