Key Indicators & Decisions (KI&Ds) – Belgium – Flemish Region – 2020

Last updated 24 October 2022, 14:42

Key Implementation Decisions – GENERAL BACKGROUND

no	Key Implementation Decisions – General Background	Description / value / response	Comments
01.01	Definition of public buildings (according to Article 9 b)	Office buildings of public authorities	Which types of organisations are considered to be ‘public authorities’ is defined in the Energiebesluit. From 2018 onwards, the requirements for almost all non-residential buildings are set at the NZEB-level; however office buildings follow a slightly slower path. In the Energiebesluit it is stated that office buildings of the mentioned authorities have to comply as of 2019 with the same requirements as other new offices have to comply with in 2021. The Flemish scope is thus broader than the EPBD.
01.02	Definition of public buildings used by the public (according to Article 13)	Buildings frequently visited by the public because they are occupied by a public authority	There is no explicit definition adopted for the public display of a certificate for public buildings used by the public. The obligation of public display is set in the text of the Energiebesluit itself, not in the definitions.
01.03	Number of residential buildings	Total number of residential buildings: 2,282,268 (135,479 apartment buildings included) Total number of dwellings: 3,083,936, of which: single-family houses: 2,146,987 apartments in apartment buildings: 881,867 Data on the built ground surface (apartment buildings not included): less than 45 m²: 31,221 between 45 m² and 64 m²: 146,299 between 65 m² and 104 m²: 622,652 larger than 104m²: 1,346,617	Source: Land register (202019)
01.04	Number of non-residential buildings	416,573	Source: Land register (2020)
01.05	If possible, share of public buildings included in the number given in 01.04	Data not available
01.06	If possible, share of commercial buildings included in the number given in 01.04	76,141	Source: Land register (2020)
01.07	Number of buildings constructed per year (estimate)	± 29,000 building units Mean value of last years. Based on new building units rather than on building level.	Source: database of final declarations (EPB) Covers residential, non-residential and industry units
01.08	If possible, share of residential buildings constructed per year (estimate, included in the number given in 01.07)	94% building units Analysis of the data in the EPB-database	Source: database of final declarations (EPB)
01.09	If possible, share of non-residential buildings constructed per year (estimate, included in the number given in 01.07)	5% building units Analysis of the data in the EPB-database	Source: database of final declarations (EPB) The remaining 1% of building units concerns industry units
01.10	Useful floor area of buildings constructed per year in million square meters (estimate)	4.2 million m²/year Only residential building units + gross floor area instead of useful floor area	Estimated by multiplying the mean gross floor area (± 158 m²) of residential building units with the number of residential building units (94% of 29,000)

Key Implementation Decision – NEW BUILDINGS

no

Key Implementation Decision – New Buildings

Description / value / response

Comments

02.01

Are building codes set as overall value, primary energy, environment (CO₂), reference building or other?

E-level = primary energy use (kWh/m²), divided by a reference value

02.02

Requirements for energy performance of residential buildings in current building code

Since 2020: E-level E35

Includes: heating, cooling, hot water, auxiliaries, local production

E-level = primary energy use (kWh/m²), divided by a reference value

02.03

Requirements for energy performance of non-residential commercial buildings in current building code

Since 2017: E-level set on building level, but based on the relevant functions in the building:

E_{eis, fct}	2018
Lodging	70
Office	55
School	55
Healthcare: with stay	70
Healthcare: without stay	65
Healthcare: operating rooms	50
Gathering: high occupation	65
Gathering: low occupation	65
Gathering: refectory	60
Kitchen	55
Commerce	60
Sports: hall	50
Sports: fitness, gym	40
Sports: sauna, pool	50
Technical function	45
Common function	55
Other	80
Unknown	80

E-level = primary energy use (kWh/m²), divided by the primary energy use of the same building with a reference set of measures

Includes: heating, cooling, hot water, auxiliaries, lighting, local production

Requirement for a building with multiple functions is calculated, based on the share of gross floor area:

02.04

Requirements for energy performance of non-residential public buildings in current building code

Same as in 02.03, except:

E_{eis, fct: 2018}

Office: 50

02.05

Is the performance level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for new buildings defined in national legislation?

Yes, but only implicit. There is a path towards NZEB in 2021, but there is no explicit mentioning of ‘NZEB’.

Yes + only in regional (Flemish) legislation

The Energy decree of the Flemish Government sets the requirements of 2021 (E-level)

02.06

Nearly zero energy (NZEB) level for residential buildings (level for building code)

E30 (+ all other requirements)

Other requirements also apply:

Maximal U-values
Ventilation requirements
Minimal share of RES
Maximal indicator for overheating
Maximal S-level (building envelope)

02.07

Year/date for nearly zero energy (NZEB) as level for residential buildings (as indicated in 02.06)

2021

Building permit application in 2021

02.08

Nearly zero energy (NZEB) level for all non-residential buildings (level for building code)

E_{eis, fct}	2021
Lodging	70
Office	50
School	55
Healthcare: with stay	70
Healthcare: without stay	65
Healthcare: operating rooms	50
Gathering: high occupation	65
Gathering: low occupation	65
Gathering: refectory	60
Kitchen	55
Commerce	60
Sports: hall	50
Sports: fitness, gym	40
Sports: sauna, pool	50
Technical function	45
Common function	50
Other	80
Unknown	80

Other requirements also apply:

Maximal U-values
Ventilation requirements
Minimal share of RES

02.09

Year/date for nearly zero energy (NZEB) as level for non-residential buildings (as indicated in 02.08)

2021

But all NZEB-levels are in place since 2018, except for office function, see 02.03

Building permit application in 2021

02.10

Are nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB) defined using a carbon or environment indicator?

No

02.11

Is renewable energy a part of the overall or an additional requirement?

Additional requirement + influence on the E-level

02.12

If renewable energy is an additional requirement to NZEB, please indicate level

Residential: 15 kWh/m².year (since 2017)

Non-residential: 20 kWh/m².year (since 2019)

kWh primary energy use per m² gross floor area, annually

02.13

Specific comfort criteria for new buildings, provide specific parameters for instance for airtightness, minimum ventilation rates

There are ventilation requirements (as additional requirements) + influence on the E-level (airtightness and quality of the ventilation system). For new residential buildings there is also an additional requirement considering overheating (with a maximal value).

Since 2016, there is also an obligatory quality check of the as-built ventilation system for residential buildings

Key Implementation Decision – EXISTING BUILDINGS

no	Key Implementation Decision – Existing Buildings	Description / value / response	Comment
03.01	Is the level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing buildings set in national legislation?	Partly: only for deep renovations that are considered equivalent to new buildings	Deep renovations (in this context): large new or rebuilt building volumes > 800 m³ or containing a new residential unit. ‘Deep renovations’ as described in 2.II.i will meet the NZEB target E60 (see 03.03) for existing buildings in the near future. Maximum U-values for all renovations are the same as the requirements for new buildings.
03.02	Is the level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing buildings similar to the level for new buildings?	Partly: only for deep renovations that are considered equivalent to new buildings	See 03.01 and 03.03
03.03	Definition of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing residential buildings (if different from new buildings)	In 2050, existing residential buildings should be as efficient as a new building in 2016 Two possibilities: Package of measures: maximal U-values for the components of the building envelope (roof, walls and floors U_max=0.24 W/m².K, doors U_max=2 W/m².K, windows 1.5 W/m².K, and glass U_max=1.0 W/m².K) + minimal standards for heating installations (highly energy efficient installation, cogeneration, heat pump, district heating or electrical heating of max 15 kW) Energy performance score E60 of 100 kWh/m²	Package of measure: additional to requirements, awareness raising in communication on proper ventilation, airtightness and solar protection Energy performance score: next to E-level, information on the performance of the envelope (S-level)
03.04	Definition of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing non-residential buildings (if different from new buildings)	No specific definition
03.05	Overall minimum requirements in case of major renovation	Major renovation (as in EPBD) can be: Renovation equivalent to new buildings: see above Major energy renovation (75% of the envelope + replacement of the installations): E70 Renovation: no E-level, but requirements on renovated building parts and renovated systems
03.06	Minimum requirements for individual building parts in case of renovation	Maximal U-values for all renovations correspond with the requirements for new buildings. The requirements only apply to building parts that are renovated or insulated. The table contains requirements for 2016. The table is simplified. Other maximum U-values are applied for certain types of internal walls and walls to adjacent parcels.
03.07	National targets for renovation in connection to Long-Term Renovation Strategy (number or percentage of buildings)	Evolution to a yearly 3% renovation rate of residential buildings towards label A (95,000 dwellings/year)	If renovations are staged (e.g. starting with an evolution from label F to label C, and in a next phase to label A) then the actual percentage of buildings that need works each year will be higher (up to 10%).
03.08	National targets for renovation in connection to Long-Term Renovation Strategy (expected reductions and relevant years)	Final energy use residential: 2030: - 23% 2040: - 46% 2050: - 69%

Key Implementation Decision – ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES

no	Key Implementation Decision – Energy Performance Certificates	Description / value / response	Comment
04.01	Number of energy performance certificates per year	EPC residential buildings: 2017: 96,093 2018: 97,810 2019: 107,293 EPC Public buildings: 2017: 171 2018: 338 2019: 978 EPC new buildings: Residential: 2017: 29,549 2018: 28,888 2019: 31,649 Non-residential: 2017: 451 2018: 430 2019: 540 EPC after major energy renovation: 2017: 443 2018: 952 2019: 1,366
04.02	Number of EPCs since the start of the scheme	EPC residential buildings: Total: 1,331,032 Valid: 969,078 EPC public buildings: Total: 11,408 Valid: 5,304 EPC new buildings: Total: 306,555 Valid: 270,755 EPC after major energy renovation: Total: 2,868 Valid: 2,868	EPC residential buildings: from September 2008 until December 2019 EPC public buildings: from December 2008 until December 2019 EPC new buildings: from January 2007 until December 2019
04.03	Number of EPCs for different building types	See 04.01 and 04.02
04.04	Number of assessors	EPC residential buildings: 2,887 registered qualified experts 1,010 active qualified experts EPC public buildings: 1,376 registered qualified experts 993 internal qualified experts EPC new buildings: 1,664 registered qualified experts 812 active qualified experts	Registration is mandatory for each type of qualified expert. Active qualified experts for residential buildings: a qualified expert is considered active when they have issued at least one EPC in the past year and have issued at least ten (10) EPCs during their recognition as a qualified expert. There are two (2) types of qualified experts for public buildings. An external expert follows a recognised training course and passes an exam. An internal expert is an employee of the public organisation with two (2) years of experience in energy efficiency. No exam is needed for internal experts. Active qualified experts for new buildings: a qualified expert is considered active when they have issued at least one (1) initial declaration or one (1) final declaration in the past year.
04.05	Basic education requirements for assessors	EPC residential buildings: No predefined qualifications are needed for qualified experts. EPC public buildings: No predefined qualifications are needed for qualified experts. EPC new buildings: A degree in architecture or engineering is needed.	There is no practical experience needed before the approval as assessor.
04.06	Additional training demands for assessors	EPC residential buildings: Yes A candidate qualified expert should follow a recognised training programme and pass an exam. A mandatory scheme of permanent training must be followed each year. EPC public buildings: Yes A candidate qualified expert should follow a recognised training course and pass an exam. EPC new buildings: Yes A candidate qualified expert should follow a recognised training course and pass an exam. A mandatory scheme of permanent training must be followed each year.
04.07	Quality assurance system	EPC residential buildings: Sample tests on availability and advertisements: Desk controls Sanction: Fine Quality checks: Desk controls Site visits Sanction Fine Suspension EPC public buildings: Sample tests on availability Desk controls Sanctions: fine Quality checks Desk controls Sanction Fine Suspension EPC new buildings: Sample tests on availability of initial and final declarations Desk controls Site visits Sanctions: fine Quality checks: Desk controls Site visits Sanction Fine Suspension Requirements: Automatic control of final declarations in database Sanction Fine
04.08	National database for EPCs	Regional	EPC database for the Flemish Region. This database contains EPCs for residential, non-residential and public buildings.
04.09	Link to national information on EPCs / Database	Information: https://www.energiesparen.be/epc	The EPC database has restricted access, only for experts and VEA

Key Implementation Decision – SMART BUILDINGS AND BUILDING SYSTEMS

no	Key Implementation Decision – Smart Buildings and Building Systems	Description / value / response	Comment
05.01	Is there a national definition of smart buildings?	No
05.02	Are there current support systems for smart buildings?	No
05.03	Are there currently specific requirements for technical building systems (for instance in building codes)?	Yes
05.04	Are there current requirements for automatics (for instance in building codes)?	Yes
05.05	Chosen option A or B for heating systems (inspection or other measures)	A and B	Option B for technical building systems added in the EPBD as part of the 2018 revision
05.06	Number of heating inspections; reports per year (if option A)	Unknown	Since its launch in 2018, around 1,000 reports were generated with the free application of the government.
05.07	Chosen option A or B for cooling systems (inspection or other measures)
05.08	Number of air-conditioning / cooling system inspections; reports per year (if option A)	679	Exact amount, derived from the central database.
05.09	Is there a national database for heating inspections?	No	An application feeding a database has been released in 2018. (It is used on a voluntary basis)
05.10	Is there a national database for cooling / air-conditioning inspections?	Yes (Flanders)
05.11	Are inspection databases combined with EPC databases for registration of EPCs and inspection reports?	No
05.12	Link to national information on Inspection / database		https://omgeving.vlaanderen.be/webtoepassing-centrale-verwarming https://omgeving.vlaanderen.be/informatie-voor-erkende-airco-energiedeskundigen