1st Meeting: Launch of the NO   

Introduction  

The meeting gathered key stakeholders to discuss the implementation of Article 11 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). Discussions focused on identifying obligated companies, improving enforcement and auditor registration, aligning ISO 50001 certification, and addressing sector-specific challenges such as transport. The session promoted collaboration and shared insights to strengthen the effective application of Article 11 in practice. 

Attendance  

A total of 9 participants took part in the launch of the National Observatory in Ireland, including policymakers, professional associations and funding & regulation bodies.  

Stakeholder type	Participating stakeholders
🏛 Policy Makers	2
👩‍💼 Professional Associations	6
💰 Funding & Regulation Bodies	1

Agenda 

1. Welcome, introduction and session objectives📄 

• Overview of the LEAPto11 initiative and the National Observatories.  

2. Identifying obligated entities for Article 11  

• Discussion to identify companies obligated under Article 11, focusing on available data sources and methods 

3. Enforcement for non-compliant entities  

• Discussion on enforcement limitations, implications of selective enforcement and benefits of better identification of obligated entities.   

4. Implementing audit recommendations    

• Feedback session: Should transposition include mandatory implementation of projects with short payback periods? 

5. Aligning ISO50001 certification with Article 11 

• Dialogue to identify potential improvements in aligning EnMS certification & SEAI validation under company’s obligation  

6. Auditor registration criteria  

• Discussion on the effectiveness of the current REA auditor registration criteria and the benefits and challenges of unified versus separate registration frameworks.  

7. Transport: Many transport operators now exceed the mandatory thresholds.    

• Discuss sector-specific challenges and how to better support compliance in transport 

8. Other topics to be discussed   

9. Closing remarks  

Key Outcomes    

Regarding identification:  

• Progress made in identifying potential data sources (Revenue/CSO/NSAI/EI).  

• Recognition that statutory powers will be required for SEAI to access certain data sources. 

Regarding enforcement:  

• Acknowledgement that enforcement has been weak to date. 

• Stakeholders suggest that ignorance of obligation is not a valid defence, and enforcement should take place without official notification. 

• Strong recommendation to issue at least one significant penalty to drive awareness and deter non-compliance.  

• Strong recommendation to verify compliance when companies apply for business grants. 

Regarding implementation: 

• There is a risk that mandatory implementation of audit recommendations will negatively impact audit quality, as seen with EU ETS companies.  

• Agreement that all potential opportunities should be listed in the audit report but clearly separate from recommendations.  

• Auditors may follow up on projects not implemented in subsequent audits.  

Regarding ISO50001: 

• No need to align SI (legislatin) cycle with certification cycle provided legislative requirements are met.  

• Suggest annual EnMS review to support compliance before reporting to SEAI. 

• Agreement that the definition of ‘legal entity’ especially within a group structure needs to be clarified – and clarity needed on if compliance can be at both site level and group level for an EnMS. 

Regarding Energy Auditor Registration: 

• Recommended not to lower audit REA qualifying threshold for EAS. 

• Stakeholder support for a tiered auditor qualification system for EAS audits and SSEA audits. 

• Follow-up action on audit quality checks has been weak to date. Proposal to formalise the QA process. IE: removal from register/ re-register upon follow-up training.