Mandatory Display and Submission of Energy Performance Certificates
As the drive for energy efficiency accelerates across the African continent, South Africa has taken a critical regulatory step. From 8 December 2020, it became mandatory for building owners and accounting officers to obtain and publicly display an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for eligible buildings by 7 December 2025.
🔍 What Is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that rates the energy efficiency of a building based on its actual energy consumption. It provides a benchmark score, enabling building owners and occupants to understand and improve energy performance over a 12 month period. All EPC’s are to be issued only by registered EPC Professionals that are registered on the SANEDI website.
Eligibility for EPC
Public buildings: owned, operated, or occupied by an organ of state with a net floor area of over 1000𝒎𝟐.
Private buildings: buildings not owned, operated, or occupied by an organ of state with a net floor area of over 2000𝒎𝟐.
Applicable Building Use Categories
Mandatory EPCs currently apply to buildings classified under:
A1 – Entertainment and Public Assembly
A2 – Theatrical and Indoor Sport
A3 – Places of Instruction
G1 – Offices
📅 Regulatory Milestones
2 August 2024: Deadline to register building type and size with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).
7 December 2025: Deadline to submit a certified EPC and display it prominently in the eligible building.
⚖️ Legal Framework and Enforcement
This requirement is regulated under the National Energy Act (Act No. 34 of 2008). Non-compliance—such as failing to register or display the EPC—may result in:
Fines up to R5 million, and/or
Imprisonment
💡 Why Obtain an EPC? (Beyond Compliance)
✅ 1. Regulatory Compliance
Meeting EPC requirements safeguards your organisation from legal penalties and reputational risk.
💰 2. Energy Cost Savings
The EPC process identifies areas of energy waste, enabling cost-effective efficiency improvements.
🏢 3. Enhanced Property Value
Buildings with higher energy ratings are more attractive to investors, buyers, and tenants—improving marketability and asset value.
♻️ 4. Demonstrated Sustainability
An EPC reinforces your ESG strategy and sustainability credentials, showcasing environmental leadership.
🌿 5. Access to Green Financing
Financial institutions increasingly favour EPC-rated properties for green loans, rebates, and sustainability-linked finance options.
🌍 Africa’s Broader Energy Benchmarking Trend
Africa's EPC framework has set a precedent on the continent. Several African nations are already referencing its benchmarks to evaluate their own building stock, and broader adoption of EPCs is expected across other building types—such as retail centres and religious institutions—in the near future.
We have included our free EPC template for your energy data collection for your South African operations.
Should you require a no-obligation quote for your EPC kindly let us know.
Reach out to our EPC team on epc@greenbdgafrica.com
