The mandatory form of energy performance certification in Sweden is provided for under the Energy Performance Certification Act (Sw. Lag (2006:985) om energideklaration för byggnader). The legislation prescribes that owners of certain buildings must ensure that an energy performance certification is obtained if the building concerned has a floor area greater than 250 square meters and is frequently visited by the public. An energy performance certification should also be obtained when constructing a new building. The requirements also apply to buildings that are completely or partly leased. In addition, the property owner needs to obtain an energy performance certification if the building will be sold. The legislation applies to private houses and public buildings and buildings used for commercial purposes.

However, there are exceptions to the requirement for energy performance certification. Among those exempted from obtaining an energy performance certification are the following: (i) buildings that are mainly used for religious purposes; (ii) industrial plants and workshops; (iii) certain types of vacation homes; (iv) agricultural buildings; or (v) buildings with a floor area of less than 50 square meters (mainly private houses).

The Swedish National Board of Housing, being the supervisory authority, issues regulations regarding the energy performance certification and provides experts in charge of certification. The new system was introduced on 1 January 2014, and states that all buildings classified after that date must get a classification, which ranges from A to G. There are no prescribed minimum standards regarding the outcome of an energy performance certification, since older buildings may have a poorer rating than newly constructed buildings. If the owner did not comply with the required certification, the supervisory authority has the right to demand a penalty.