The role of an Accreditation Scheme and the BRE EPBD Compliance Hub

1. The role of an Accreditation Scheme and the BRE EPBD Compliance Hub 5th July 2011 Andy Butterfield Associate Director – BRE Global

2. The role of an Accreditation Scheme and the BRE EPBD Compliance Hub • 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

3. Our mission…To Build a Better World • BRE Group, based at Garston • More than 600 staff • Sustainable solutions • Driving innovation • Managing risk • Setting standards

4. Research Our mission…To Build a Better World Research, innovation, consultancy, testing, certification, training Working in the built environment, but also transport, manufacturing, electronics, agriculture…

5. 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

6. Innovation Park BRE today, showcasing innovation… The Victorian Terrace “The National Refurbishment Centre” Victorian Refurbishment

7. 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

8. 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 Vankesign a MoUin the presence of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, and Prime Minister David Cameron as part of the UK-China Trade Summit.  Victorian Refurbishment

9. 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 non-dwellings • Energy Assessors Accreditation Scheme for Display Energy Certificates • Energy Assessors Accreditation Scheme for Air-Conditioning System Inspections* * UKAS accreditation pending

10. 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)

11. Overview of SOR requirements 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 Ensuring that members of the Scheme are qualified to undertake energy assessments. Ensuring that members of the Scheme have in force suitable indemnity cover. Ensuring that members of the Scheme use operational procedures that ensure consistency and accuracy of energy assessments. Maintaining active quality assurance procedures. Facilitating the resolution of complaints against members of the Scheme. Establishing and maintaining a register of members. Ensuring financial probity, financial stability and operational resilience of the Scheme. 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. Maintaining suitable administrative and operational systems that are applied in a consistent, fair and open way that is compliant with all relevant legislation.

12. 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.

13. Accreditation schemes

14. 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

15. Accreditation schemes – Quality Assurance • 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.

16. Compliance…Room for improvement 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

17. Compliance…Room for improvement 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…

18. Compliance…Room for improvement

19. The consequences – a reminder of what this is all about…

20. 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…

21. 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...

22. 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

23. BRE EPBD compliance hub: overview

24. 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

25. BRE EPBD Compliance hub: TSOGuidance Two sources of DEC data available to help identify non compliant public buildings…

26. BRE EPBD Compliance hub: TSOGuidance DEC data now available… Data for 2008, 2009 and 2010 Now able to easily spot non compliance for public buildings!

27. BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Templates Login details will be sent to you… To register, e-mail your contact details to: epbdcompliance@bre.co.uk

28. BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Templates

29. BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Templates Penalty Charge Notice Pro-forma:

30. BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Templates Air Conditioning Report request letter:

31. BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Contacting BRE Assessors HUB – series of screenshots….

32. BRE EPBD Compliance hub: Contacting BRE Assessors

33. 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

34. 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…

35. 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

36. 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!

37. You are all invited to visit BRE… 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