ISO 50002-1:2025

Overview

ISO 50002-1:2025 - Energy audits - Part 1: General requirements with guidance for use defines the principles, process requirements and deliverables for conducting energy audits focused on energy performance. Applicable to any organization regardless of size, sector or location, this first part of the ISO 50002 series sets out how to plan, execute and report an energy audit and gives guidance on evaluating the competence of the energy auditor. It supports credible, traceable identification and prioritization of energy performance improvement opportunities (EPIAs) and complements energy management systems such as ISO 50001.

Key topics and requirements

• Principles of energy auditing
  • Competency, confidentiality and objectivity
  • Access to equipment, resources and information
  • Evidence‑based and risk‑based approaches
  • Clear communication between organization and auditor
• Energy audit process (chronological but iterative)
  • Planning and defining scope/boundary and audit objectives
  • Opening meeting to align expectations
  • Data collection and measurement planning
  • Site visit and on‑site observations
  • Analysis: current energy performance, identification, evaluation and prioritization of EPIAs
  • Reporting: required content and deliverables
  • Closing meeting to present findings
• Competence of the energy auditor
  • Guidance on assessing generic, energy‑specific and lead auditor competencies
  • Clarifies auditor roles and responsibilities (note: does not cover selection/evaluation of audit service bodies)
• Deliverables
  • Audit report with current energy use, analysis, ranked recommendations and supporting evidence
• Supporting elements
  • Annexes provide guidance on use, applicability to other standards and sampling methods

Practical applications and users

ISO 50002-1:2025 is designed for practical use across a broad range of situations:

• Who uses it:
  • Energy auditors and audit teams
  • Facility, operations and sustainability managers
  • Energy consultants and service providers (for process design, not for vendor selection rules)
  • Organizations implementing or integrating with ISO 50001 EnMS
• Typical applications:
  • Baseline energy assessments and benchmarking
  • Identifying energy savings, decarbonization and renewable energy options
  • Prioritizing investments in energy performance improvement measures
  • Supporting energy reviews within ISO 50001 or standalone audit programs
• Benefits highlighted in the standard:
  • Reduced energy consumption and costs
  • Lower CO2/GHG emissions and related environmental benefits
  • Improved transparency and credibility of audit outcomes

Related standards

• ISO 50002 series:
  • ISO 50002-2 - guidance for buildings
  • ISO 50002-3 - guidance for processes
• ISO 50001 - Energy management systems (EnMS)
• ISO 50003 - Conformity assessment and auditing of EnMS (note: auditing EnMS is covered in ISO 50003, not ISO 50002-1)

Keywords: ISO 50002-1:2025, energy audits, energy auditor, energy performance, energy audit process, ISO 50001, EnMS, energy performance improvement opportunities, energy audit report.