Implementation of EPBD Still Ongoing in Finland

Keywords: EPBD, ZEB, Decarbonisation, IEQ, FINVAC, Finland

The implementation of the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will not be ready by 29 May 2026 in Finland. The draft legislation has been circulated for comments and is currently in the technical notification phase. However, national decision-making takes its own time.

FINVAC organized a Building Energy Seminar at the beginning of May in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment, with nearly 300 industry professionals participating. At the seminar, the officials responsible for the implementation presented the latest information on the process, which is still ongoing in Finland.

The Finnish government has decided that the national implementation will be carried out with as few changes as possible to the existing regulations. However, because the content of the directive is so extensive, several regulations will be amended, covering both new construction and renovation. A monitoring group consisting of stakeholders has been appointed to support the preparation of the regulations related to the implementation of the directive.

Implementation divided into several laws

In Finland, the implementation will not be done through a single law but will be divided into five laws. One of them is a new Act on the Energy Efficiency of Buildings, but amendments will also be made to, for example, the Building Act, the Energy Performance Certificate Act, and the Act on the Equipment of Buildings with Charging Points and Charging Readiness for Electric Vehicles as well as Automation and Control Systems. The implementation also requires new decrees and amendments to existing decrees.

Some of the regulations were already circulated for comments last spring, and a fairly large set this spring. Due to scheduling reasons, the regulations were also sent simultaneously to the EU’s technical notification process. The Act on the Building Energy Certificate Information System is still under preparation.

New Act on the Energy Efficiency of Buildings

The Act on the Energy Efficiency of Buildings will include maximum values for the E-value for office, commercial, and educational buildings, as well as sports halls and hospitals. The E-value is a calculated comparative indicator of energy efficiency that allows buildings to be compared based on their standardised use. The energy demand requirement for buildings will be tightened by 10 percent, as required by the EPBD. The change will, for example, improve the thermal insulation of buildings and reduce their power requirements. This is of great importance during the heating season. This is of particular importance in Finland.

The new law also includes obligations to install solar energy systems in certain building types. The deadlines are staggered between 2026 and 2030, and the regulation includes flexibility options.

Technological neutrality is emphasized

In the preparation, technological neutrality is emphasized: the building regulations specify the required level of the building’s energy performance and emissions, but do not take a position on, for example, the choice of heating system.

Energy form factors have been changed, which has sparked discussion in Finland. The mutual relationship between the energy form factors has, however, remained the same.

New and extensively renovated residential buildings will in the future be required to have an electronic monitoring function, efficient control functions, and the ability to respond to external signals, when technically, economically, and functionally feasible. Continuous electronic monitoring tracks system performance and alerts building owners or property managers to significant changes or maintenance needs. Efficient control functions optimise energy generation, distribution, storage, and use, while also balancing water circulation. In addition, the building must be able to respond to external signals and adjust its energy consumption accordingly.

A renovation passport will be added as an attachment to the energy certificate, but it will be voluntary. Energy certificate issuers will also prepare renovation passports in the future. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) must be calculated and reported in the energy certificate from 1 January 2028 for new buildings over 1,000 m², and from 1 January 2030 for all new buildings. Threshold values will enter into force from 1 January 2030.

Indoor environmental quality

Finland’s ventilation and indoor climate regulations have traditionally been quite comprehensive. The Ministry will not make changes to them as part of the EPBD implementation.

However, non-residential buildings that must be equipped with building automation and control systems have received a new requirement: in the future, the system must also be able to monitor indoor environmental quality.

The regulations may still be amended and clarified based on consultation feedback. In addition, a large number of calculation tools and guidance materials must be updated to reflect the content of the new regulations. By the time everything is completed, the year may already be turning into the next.