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ARTICLE · 26 MAY 2026

New BER System From 24 May 2026 – What Do You Need To Know?

William Fry LLP
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Ireland is implementing a new Building Energy Rating (BER) system from 24 May 2026, introducing zero emissions building categories and simplified certification scales.

IrelandEnergy and Natural Resources
Cassandra Byrne
Cassandra Byrne
Jarleth Heneghan
Jarleth Heneghan
Stephen Ryan
Stephen Ryan
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The European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2026 (SI No. 168/2026) and the European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations (No 2) 2026 (SI No. 195/2026) each provide for a new BER System from 24 May 2026.

Calculations for BER are based on standard assumptions, including heating levels, lighting levels, occupancy and hot water use, insulation levels, windows, airtightness, and orientation. These changes are being introduced under the European Performance of Buildings Directive 2024/1275 (Directive). What do you need to know?

Key features and updates

  • A0 Certification: A new category of building energy rating (A0) corresponding to zero emissions buildings (ZEB) has been introduced for buildings other than dwellings. This means a building with very high energy performance, as determined in accordance with Annex 1 of the Directive, requiring zero or a very low energy use, producing zero on-site carbon emissions from fossil fuels, and producing zero or

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