Energy audit requirements and standards in Croatia

1. What is the current status in your jurisdiction of implementation of the mandatory energy audit requirements of Article 8 of Directive 2012/27/EC on Energy Efficiency (the Energy Efficiency Directive or EED)?

Partially implemented by the Energy Efficiency Act 2014 (EEA) in force (from 06/11/2014) and the Regulation on Energy Audit of Buildings and Energy Certification of Buildings 2014 in force (from 01/01/2015).

The Regulation on Energy Audits of Large Companies should have already been enacted by the Ministry of Economy according to the EEA, but is still at the procedural stage.

2. What are the routes to compliance/key obligations?

Large companies must undertake energy audits of their buildings, industrial processes and transport every four years. The first audits have to be undertaken by 05/12/2015.

3. Who has to comply/what are the qualification criteria?

A large company is a commercial company that meets at least two of the following criteria:

  1. i. has average of ≥ 250 employees during business year;
  2. ii. has a revenue of ≥ HRK 260m (approximately EUR 34m);
  3. iii. has total assets of ≥ HRK 130m (approximately EUR 17m).

4. If relevant, what is the first qualification date?

The Ministry of Economy has not yet enacted the Regulation on Energy Audits of Large Companies by which the respective question should be clarified.

From the current situation there are 3 possible solutions regarding the first qualification date:

  1. i. On the date of the end of the business year 2014 for respective company; or
  2. ii. On the date at which the Energy Efficiency Act 2014 takes effect (i.e. 06/11/2014); or
  3. iii. On the date that will be defined by the Regulation on Energy Audits of Large Companies.

Until the Regulation on Energy Audits of Large Companies is enacted, the first qualification date cannot be determined. We would expect to be on the date of the end of the business year 2014 for respective company (as provided under 1) above).

5. What are the sanctions for non-compliance?

Fines for the company and for the person in charge.