Energy Efficiency Standard and Notification System (Building Energy Efficiency Act)

Country / jurisdiction: Japan · Year: 1980 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

Energy efficiency standard and notification system are regulated by the Act on the Improvement of Energy Consumption Performance of Buildings (Building Energy Efficiency Act), which obligates the buildings of the construction clients (including building owners, builders and architects) to comply with energy efficiency standard. And construction clients should notify the administrative agency with jurisdiction of their achievements for building’s energy efficiency standard.

1. Background

The energy conservation standards for housing and building were first established in 1980 as part of the revised Act on the Rational Use of Energy (Energy Efficiency Act). These energy efficiency standards are called the “Standard of Judgment” in the Act. Originally, the “Standard of Judgment” was by technology (including building envelope performance). Since the inception, the standard was revised twice in 1992 and 1999.In 2013, the Standard was revised from prescriptive standard (set by technology) to performance standard, which is called “Energy Efficiency Standard”. Energy Efficiency Standard is comprised of (1) Energy Consumption Performance Standard and (2) Envelope Performance Standard. The Energy Consumption Performance Standard calculate overall primary energy consumption from heating and cooling, ventilation, water heat supply and lighting.

In 2003, notification system was introduced that mandates construction clients to notify the administrative agency with jurisdiction of their achievements for building’s energy efficiency standard. Coverage of the notification system gradually expanded in 2006 and 2010, starting from buildings with floor space over 2,000 m2 to that with 300 m2.

see Recources (Attachment)

2. The Act on the Improvement of Energy Consumption Performance of Buildings (Building Energy Efficiency Act)

On the first of July 2015 "Act on the improvement of the energy consumption performance of buildings" was newly issued. Previously, the energy efficiency improvement of buildings was regulated under the Energy Efficiency Act, while, being separating from the Energy Efficiency Act, new Act was issued to specifically target at this sector. Under the new Act, more strict compliance path of energy efficiency standard and notification system will be enforced. For example, mandatory compliance on commercial buildings’ energy efficiency standard (for the buildings whose floor space represent above 2,000 m2) will be introduced from 2017, and the Government is planning to introduce the mandatory compliance on the energy efficiency standard for the commercial buildings (of which floor space represent below 2,000 m2) and residential buildings by 2020. The details are described below.

(1) Measures depending on the size of building (from FY2017)

1) Non-residential building of 2,000m2 or more

a. Buildings are to conform with energy consumption performance standard.

b. Buildings should be checked by an approved organization regarding the energy consumption performance

2) Buildings of 300m2 or more

Obligation of notification is imposed. In case the building dose not conform with standard, the Government Issue instruction and/or order

see Recources (Attachment)

3. Current and Next Regulation

When construction clients attempt to undertake new construction/extensions/renovations on buildings at or over a certain size, they must notify the administrative agency with jurisdiction of their achievements for building’s energy efficiency standard depending on the use and size. In case the building doses not comply with standard, the Government can provide recommendation, instruction or order to the construction clients. After FY2017, large-scale non-residential building that is not compliant with energy efficiency standards become ineligible for certification of Building Standards Law.

In FY2019, Building Energy Efficiency Act were amended. This amendment includes the expanding coverage of mandatory compliance on commercial buildings’ energy efficiency standard from large scale building (2,000m2 or larger) to middle scale building (over 300m2 to under 2,000m2). Amended Building Energy Efficiency Act will be effective within 2 years.

Coverage of regulation is described as table in the Resources (Attachements)

Official source: https://www.mlit.go.jp/jutakukentiku/jutakukentiku_house_tk4_000103.html