← All Services Service 01 · Regulatory Compliance

Energy Performance
Certificates (EPC)

Certified assessments under SANS 1544:2014. Mandatory for qualifying buildings. The measured baseline for every improvement that follows.

Energy Performance Assessment
What Is an EPC

Building Energy Performance, Certified.

An Energy Performance Certificate is a certificate issued by a registered professional in accordance with SANS 1544:2014, displaying a building's measured energy consumption per square metre — expressed as kWh/m²/annum.

Energy efficiency is graded on a colour-coded scale from A to G. A "D" score represents best practice, benchmarked against minimum requirements in SANS 10400-XA:2021. Compliance is not documentation. It is measured performance.

  • Measured energy consumption (kWh/m²/year)
  • A–G building performance classification
  • EPC scorecard issuance
  • NBEPR registration support
  • SANS 1544:2014 compliance audits
  • Direct comparison against regulatory benchmarks

Mandatory For

Commercial Buildings Municipal Infrastructure Public Buildings ≥1,000m² Private Buildings ≥2,000m²
Initiate EPC Assessment →
How It's Measured

Building Energy Performance

The EPC displays a building's measured energy performance — calculated by dividing net energy consumption by the net floor area of the building.

Net energy
consumption
÷
Net floor area
= Measured energy performance, kWh/m²/annum

Figure 1: Building Energy Performance (BEP)

Performance Rating

The A–G Scale

Buildings are graded on a colour-coded scale. A "D" score represents the minimum requirement (best practice benchmark) per SANS 10400-XA:2021.

A
Most energy efficientBEST
B
High efficiency
C
Above average efficiency
D
Best practice benchmarkMINIMUM REQ.
E
Below average efficiency
F
Poor efficiency
G
Least efficientWORST

Figure 2: EPC Performance Scale (SANS 10400-XA:2021)

Regulatory History

EPC Compliance Regulations

The EPC mandate is issued under the National Energy Act (Act No. 34 of 2008). Failure to publicly display an EPC is in contravention of this Act.

1st Regulation
8 Dec 2020

Accounting officers and building owners mandated to display and submit EPCs. Initial deadline: 07 December 2022.

1st Amendment
25 Nov 2022

First amendment promulgated, extending the deadline for compliance to 07 December 2025.

2nd Amendment
3 Aug 2023

Building owners and accounting officers required to register their buildings within 12 months of the amendment's promulgation.

Non-Compliance Risk

Penalties for Non-Compliance

As stated in the National Energy Act 34 of 2008, building owners and/or accounting officers will be guilty of an offence:

!
(a) Financial Penalty

A fine not exceeding five million Rand

!
(b) Imprisonment

Imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years

!
(c) Both

Both such fine and such imprisonment may be applied concurrently

Qualification Criteria

Does Your Building Need an EPC?

The following building classifications are mandatory to obtain and display an EPC. Size and operational requirements also apply.

Private Buildings
≥2,000m²

Minimum net floor area requirement

Public Buildings
≥1,000m²

Government occupied and operated

Additional requirements: Buildings must have been in continuous operation for over two years and must not have undergone any major renovations in the last two years.
Class Occupancy Description
A1 Entertainment & Public Assembly Eat, drink, dance or participate in recreation
A2 Theatrical & Indoor Sport Theatrical, cinematic, orchestral or sports performances
A3 Places of Instruction Schools, universities and learning institutions
G1 Offices Multi-storey offices, banks, consulting rooms with lifts; office parks

Figure 3: Mandatory Building Occupation Classes

The Process

How to Obtain an EPC for Your Building

The EPC process is structured, systematic, and managed end-to-end by NegaWatt's registered professionals. Building registration is completed via the National Building Energy Performance Register (NBEPR).

1
01

Check Eligibility & Register

Verify occupancy class and floor area. Register your building on the NBEPR at epc.sanedi.org.za.

2
02

Appoint a Registered Professional

Contact and appoint a NegaWatt Registered Professional to conduct your building's energy performance assessment.

3
03

Energy Performance Assessment

The Registered Professional conducts the EPA on-site in accordance with SANS 1544:2014.

4
04

Upload & Create Certificate

Data uploaded to the EazyEPC portal. EPC certificate created and submitted to the NBEPR.

5
05

Issue EPC to Building Owner

EPC issued to the building owner or accounting officer for display at the building entrance.

6
06

Submit Copy to SANEDI

A certified copy submitted to SANEDI within three months of issuance.

7
07

DEE Compliance Audits

The Department of Electricity and Energy conducts random compliance audits and monitors EPC display.

8
08

Renewal Reminders

SANEDI sends renewal reminder at 3 years, followed by a final reminder at 4 years.

Value Creation

Seven Benefits of an EPC

Beyond regulatory compliance, an EPC delivers measurable strategic value across seven dimensions.

A

Raising Awareness

Prompts owners to reflect on and act on energy consumption patterns.

B

Informed Decisions

Tenants and buyers receive transparent energy efficiency data for better choices.

C

Enhanced Efficiency

Identifies improvement areas, enabling targeted upgrades to boost performance.

D

Lower Energy Bills

Efficiency improvements translate directly into financial savings over time.

E

Reduced Emissions

Cuts greenhouse gas emissions and improves healthy indoor environments.

F

Competitive Advantage

A strong EPC rating benchmarks your property, attracting tenants and buyers.

G

Property Value

An "A" rating significantly boosts market value, attracting investment at a premium.

Strategic Framework

EPC as a First Step to Net Zero

The EPC is Phase 1 in a structured 12-step pathway to net-zero carbon readiness — establishing the measured baseline that makes every subsequent intervention accountable and trackable.

1
Phase 1 · Steps 1–4
EPCs for Sustainable Buildings
1
Obtain Your EPC
Establish the evidence-based baseline for all future improvements
2
Conduct Energy Audits
Deep-dive system analysis and targeted recommendations
3
Set Targets & Timelines
Transform recommendations into a structured, accountable plan
4
Create Implementation Plan
Operational roadmap guiding decisions and resource allocation
2
Phase 2 · Steps 5–8
Energy Efficiency Retrofits
5
Occupant Training
Behaviour change and energy conservation awareness
6
Lighting Upgrades
Energy-efficient lighting with short payback periods
7
HVAC Optimisation
Heating, cooling and ventilation upgrades for substantial savings
8
Tenant Loads
Manage and optimise tenant equipment and plug loads
3
Phase 3 · Steps 10–12
Getting to Climate Mitigation
10
On-Site Renewables (Solar)
PV panels generating clean energy, reducing grid dependence
11
Off-Site Renewables
Sourcing energy from off-site clean renewable facilities
12
Carbon Offsets
Credible mechanism to neutralise residual carbon impact

Source: Adapted from GBCSA (2021)

Obtaining an EPC is not merely a compliance exercise — it is a strategic business decision. Verifiable data. Lower operating costs. Enhanced market value. A credible commitment to sustainability.

Initiate EPC Assessment →

Other Services

Energy Audits

Service 02 · Technical Diagnostics

Energy Audits

Three levels of audit precision — from walk-through to investment-grade financial modelling.

Explore →
Energy Management

Service 03 · Strategic Optimisation

Energy Management

ISO 50001-aligned Energy Management Systems with continuous performance calibration.

Explore →
Carbon Accounting

Service 04 · Carbon Accounting

Carbon Accounting (GHG & ESG)

Scope 1, 2 & 3 GHG audits, CBAM advisory, and IFRS S2 / GRI-aligned ESG reporting.

Explore →

Ready to achieve compliance?

Start with a Certified EPC Assessment.

→ Get Started Initiate Your EPC Assessment → Browse View All Four Services