Editorial note

Council Directive 93/76/EEC of 13 September 1993 aims to limit carbon dioxide emissions by improving energy efficiency, primarily by drawing up and implementing programmes such as laws, regulations, economic and administrative instruments, information, education and voluntary agreements (Article 1). Member States are to draw up and implement programmes on the energy certification of buildings in order to provide information for prospective users concerning a building's energy efficiency (Article 2), and also on the billing of heating, air-conditioning and hot water costs calculated on the basis of actual consumption, enabling the cost of these services to be apportioned among the users of all or part of a building (Article 3). Member States are to draw up and implement programmes to permit third-party financing for energy efficiency investments in the public sector (Article 4); so that new buildings receive effective thermal insulation, taking into account climatic conditions and the intended use of the building (Article 5); on the regular inspection of heating installations of an effective rated output of more than 15 kW with the aim of improving operating conditions regarding energy consumption and limiting carbon dioxide emissions (Article 6); and with the aim of promoting the regular completion of energy audits of industrial undertakings with high energy consumption (Article 7). The scope of each of these programmes should be determined on the basis of potential improvements in energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, technical feasibility and environmental impact (Article 8).

Member States are required to report to the Commission every two years on the result of themeasures taken to implement the programmes provided for in the Directive (Article 9).