To implement the Energy Performance of Building Directive 2002, Italy issued Legislative Decree 192/2005, which introduced the mandatory Energy Efficiency Certificate (APE). This decree has been gradually updated over the years.

The decree addresses, among other things, the following: (i) methodology for determining the energy performance of buildings; (ii) the transfer of information regarding the buildings’ energy performance in the case of purchase or lease; (iii) the general criteria for the energy certification of buildings and (iv) the implementation of the minimum requisites regarding energy performance.

When transferring information concerning buildings’ energy performance, the APE is compulsory under the following circumstances:

• New building construction
• Major renovations of existing buildings
• Sale, donation or lease of buildings

In building sales or leases, the proposed buyer or tenant has the right to be provided with the relevant APE at the beginning of the negotiations.

Moreover, ads announcing a sale or lease of buildings must indicate the energy performance class of the building/unit.

The APE is valid for 10 years from the date of release and must be updated following each renovation/requalification work that determines a change of the building’s relevant energy performance.

However, in the case of failure to comply with the compulsory and routine check of the building’s energy facilities, the APE will lose its validity.

As for the energy performance standard, pursuant to Legislative Decree 192/2005, all new buildings and buildings that have undergone significant renovation works have to be “nearly zero-energy buildings” and comply with specific and stringent energy-related requirements, detailed in Legislative Decree 192/2005.