There is no mandatory form of energy performance certification in the US. However, federal and state governments are taking steps to implement standards for this purpose. Some of these steps are as follows:

• The US has adopted the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which establishes a voluntary program to

  "identify and promote energy-efficient products and buildings in order to reduce energy consumption, improve energy security, and reduce pollution through voluntary labeling of or other forms of communication about products and buildings that meet the higher energy efficiency standards."

   

  While this program is not mandatory at the national level, it creates a mechanism where green products can be promoted. Certain municipalities have set their own qualifications that might incorporate similar or higher standards.

   

• The Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) include energy efficiency and sustainable design requirements for both federal and commercial buildings (as further described under the “Green certification” section). In addition, a series of executive orders (issued by the president of the US) and agency-specific rules promoting green buildings have been established. The federal government has also instituted sustainable practices in many of its own buildings. The EPA has issued a Summary of the Energy Independence and Security Act.

   

• The US federal government has adopted new standards for all federal buildings. The release from the US Department of Energy (DOE) announcing these standards highlights that, beginning in April 2023, all new buildings and major retrofits must comply with the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code.

   

• Many state and local governments also have green building laws that apply mainly to public buildings, but an increasing number of these are becoming applicable to private buildings as well.