5th July 2011
The role of an Accreditation Scheme and the BRE
EPBD Compliance Hub
5th July 2011
Andy Butterfield
Associate Director – BRE Global
Part of the BRE Trust
The role of an Accreditation Scheme and the BRE
EPBD Compliance Hub
5th July 2011
– About BRE
– The role of Accreditation Schemes
– Compliance issues – “Room for Improvement” Consumer Focus report
– Teamwork with Trading Standards
– Introducing the BRE EPBD Compliance Hub
5th July 2011
Our mission…To Build a Better World
– BRE Group, based at Garston
– More than 600 staff
– Sustainable solutions
– Driving innovation
– Managing risk
– Setting standards
5th July 2011
Our mission…To Build a Better World
Research,
innovation, consultancy, testing, certification, training
Research
Working in the built environment, but also
transport, manufacturing, electronics, agriculture…
5th July 2011
History of Innovation in the Built Environment
– Founded in 1921
– Originally owned by Government
– Improve the quality of construction
– Setting standards
– Authority and impartiality
– Privatised in 1997
– Now owned by the BRE Trust
5th July 2011
BRE today, showcasing innovation…
Innovation Park
The Victorian Terrace “The National
Refurbishment Centre”
Victorian Refurbishment
5th July 2011
BRE today, at the forefront of innovation…
Prime Minister, David Cameron,
visits BRE
Chinese Vice Premier Li and
Business Secretary Vince Cable
visit BRE Innovation Park
Victorian Refurbishment
5th July 2011
BRE today, breaking news…
BRE to collaborate with world’s largest developer on a
Beijing Innovation Park
Dr Peter Bonfield (BRE Chief Executive) and
Yu Liang, CEO of Chinese company Vanke
sign a MoU in the presence of Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao, and Prime Minister
David Cameron as part of the UK-China
Trade Summit.
Victorian Refurbishment
5th July 2011
Accreditation schemes
All Energy Assessors have to be members of
a DCLG approved accreditation scheme
BRE schemes are UKAS accredited
 Energy Assessors Accreditation Scheme for
existing dwellings
 Energy Assessors Accreditation Scheme for
newly constructed dwellings
 Energy Assessors Accreditation Scheme for nondwellings
 Energy Assessors Accreditation Scheme for
Display Energy Certificates
 Energy Assessors Accreditation Scheme for AirConditioning System Inspections*
* UKAS accreditation pending
5th July 2011
Accreditation schemes
The purpose of Schemes is to ensure that
consumers and others who rely on Energy
Performance Certificates (EPCs) can have
confidence in the EPC, accompanying
recommendations for cost-effective improvement,
and the EAs responsible for them.
Scheme Operating Standards (SORs) set out the
Secretary of State’s current requirements for the
operation of those organisations in receipt of an
“Approval Letter” on behalf of the Secretary of
State for Communities and Local Government to
operate an Accreditation Scheme for Energy
Assessors (EAs)
5th July 2011
Overview of SOR requirements
1. Ensuring that members of the Scheme are “fit and proper” persons and that they operate
within a code of conduct which is actively enforced by the Scheme
2. Ensuring that members of the Scheme are qualified to undertake energy assessments.
3. Ensuring that members of the Scheme have in force suitable indemnity cover.
4. Ensuring that members of the Scheme use operational procedures that ensure
consistency and accuracy of energy assessments.
5. Maintaining active quality assurance procedures.
6. Facilitating the resolution of complaints against members of the Scheme.
7. Establishing and maintaining a register of members.
8. Ensuring financial probity, financial stability and operational resilience of the Scheme.
9. Allowing DCLG to monitor the Scheme periodically to ensure that it continues to comply
with the terms of its approval and delivers compliance with the legislation.
10. Maintaining suitable administrative and operational systems that are applied in a
consistent, fair and open way that is compliant with all relevant legislation.
5th July 2011
Accreditation schemes
Schemes are required to have developed Quality
Plans which detail how the scheme implements
the SOR requirements in practise.
BRE has developed a comprehensive Quality
Plan and Quality Assurance guide for our scheme
members which explains what is expected of
them.
The plan details in simple process diagrams the
requirements for all of the core processes, such
as QA, CPD, appeals and escalation procedures.
Schemes are regularly audited by CLG / BSRIA
against SORs to ensure continued compliance.
5th July 2011
Accreditation schemes
Accreditation schemes – Code of Conduct
Scheme Code of Conduct sets out the
principles that must be followed and applied by
all Energy Assessors, including:
• Personal and Professional Standards
• Skills and ability
• Managing conflicts of interest
• Guidance on advertising, marketing and
information provided to the seller
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Requirements for insurance
• Sets requirements for complaints procedure
5th July 2011
Accreditation schemes – Quality Assurance
5th July 2011
DEA scheme QA requirements
Schemes must have quality assurance procedures in place to check the quality
of EPCs, and corrective actions in place where required standards are not met.
Required DCLG outcomes from Schemes are that:

95% of randomly sampled EPCs are within + or – 5SAP points

Schemes must have procedures in place which look at the performance
of EAs and have procedures which respond proportionately to reasons
why an energy assessor falls outside of the +/- 5 SAP point requirement

Scheme quality assurance procedures must result in all defective
(defined in Appendix 5) EPCs identified by QA procedures being
replaced

These procedures need to include escalation procedures which lead
eventually to suspension and/or disqualification for those EAs whose
competence is not improved.
Compliance…Room for improvement
5th July 2011
Room for improvement report published
February 2011 by Consumer Focus
Key issues identified:
 The need for improving the EPC in
readiness of Green Deal – work already in
hand with DCLG and DECC
 EPCs currently not influencing purchase
decisions – “18% decisions influenced by
EPC”
 Lack of action being taken on
recommendations – “17% of recipients
acted upon recommendations”
 The lack of compliance with legislation
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Compliance…Room for improvement
5th July 2011
Revised regulations
should help to
address these issues
– once implemented
This issue will need
to be addressed
through increased
enforcement and
policing by schemes
and TSOs working
together…
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Compliance…Room for improvement
5th July 2011
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5th July 2011
The consequences – a reminder of what this is all about…
5th July 2011
Accreditation schemes – Teamwork with Trading Standards
What we need to avoid….
The job of enforcement is not an
easy one, therefore it is important
for Schemes and Trading Standards
to work in closer collaboration
We must avoid a situation whereby
non compliance continues to have
no perceived consequences
We must avoid a disjointed
approach where the tracks don’t
meet…
5th July 2011
Accreditation schemes – Teamwork with Trading Standards
What we need to achieve….
More effective teamwork which helps to
make the job of enforcement easier for
Trading Standards
Schemes need to work together to help
identify instances of non compliance and
route this information directly into Trading
Standards
Quite simply we need to communicate and
work together...
5th July 2011
Introducing BRE EPBD Compliance hub
In partnership with Paul Taylor (East Sussex Trading Standards Officer)
we have been developing the BRE EPBD compliance hub which aims:
• To ensure that new regulation changes are up-held, raising levels of compliance
• To promote closer working relationships between the BRE scheme and other
regional Trading Standards
• To make the enforcement process easier for Trading Standards bodies by
helping to promote best practise
• To provide Trading Standards with direct access to all BRE scheme members
through the hub, Linked In Assessor Network and Green Book Live
5th July 2011
BRE EPBD compliance hub: overview
5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: News
A copy of this
presentation will be
made available in
this folder from
tomorrow…
Copy of full
Consumer Focus
“Room for
Improvement” report
available on hub
24
5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: TSO Guidance
Two sources of DEC
data available to help
identify non
compliant public
buildings…
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5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: TSO Guidance
DEC data now
available…
Data for 2008,
2009 and 2010
Now able to
easily spot non
compliance for
public buildings!
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5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Templates
Login details will be sent to
you…
To register, e-mail your contact
details to:
epbdcompliance@bre.co.uk
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5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Templates
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5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Templates
Penalty Charge
Notice Pro-forma:
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5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Templates
Air Conditioning Report
request letter:
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5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Contacting BRE Assessors
HUB – series of screenshots….
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5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Contacting BRE Assessors
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5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Contacting BRE Assessors
www.greenbooklive.com
– Search for approved
environmental products and
services
– Online listing of approved
Energy Assessors
– Searchable by name,
postcode, speciality and
region
5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance Hub: reporting non-compliance
• Trade Association - committed to promoting EPCs
• Close dialogue with Government – helping to develop future policy
• Quality – committed to raising levels of quality
• Scheme Operating Requirements (SORs) – helping to improve standards
• Compliance – working with industry to increase levels of compliance…
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5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Reporting non-compliance
Simple reporting
form to be
completed and
returned to PEPA
who then direct
complaint to relevant
Trading Standards
office
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5th July 2011
BRE EPBD Compliance Hub
BRE EPBD Compliance Hub cards
• business card size contact details so that you always have information with you
• utilising QR reader bar coding to enable instant access from smart phones
…Please take one before you leave!
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You are all invited to visit BRE…
5th July 2011
Bringing the innovations of the future to the buildings of the past
4 - 5 October 2011 - BRE, Watford
Full details will be available shortly.
– To receive further information: events@bre.co.uk
– For more information:
BRE Events:
– events@bre.co.uk
– 01923 664800
…Thank You for listening
37
5th July 2011
We’re Celebrating.
BRE
Bucknalls Lane
Watford
WD25 9XX
T +44 (0)1923 664000
E enquiries@bre.co.uk
Part of the BRE Trust
www.bre.co.uk