ISO 52003-1:2017

Overview - ISO 52003-1:2017 (Energy performance of buildings)

ISO 52003-1:2017 defines general aspects and post-processing uses of outputs from energy performance of buildings (EPB) assessment methods. It explains how overall EPB indicators relate to EPB requirements, EPB ratings, and energy performance certificates, and provides templates and standardized reporting tables to document choices for overall energy-performance requirements while preserving full regulatory flexibility. The standard is aimed at architects, engineers, regulators and other stakeholders involved in building energy assessment, certification and policy.

Key topics and requirements

• EPB indicators and outputs: Describes the types of overall and partial EPB indicators produced by EPB assessment standards and how they can be used.
• Relation between indicators, requirements and ratings: Clarifies how indicator outputs feed into regulatory requirements, rating schemes and certificates.
• Tailoring and project-specific values: Discusses the importance of project-specific (tailored) requirement or reference values for certain indicators and provides two approaches for tailoring.
• Reporting templates: Provides a normative template (Annex A) and informative default choices (Annex B) for reporting the selection of input data, calculation methods and overall EPB requirement choices in a structured, transparent way.
• EPB certification and labels: Includes possible EPB label models and lists steps for establishing an EPB certification scheme, including content for energy performance certificates.
• Quality control and compliance: Addresses quality control measures and compliance-check procedures linked to EPB assessments and certification.
• Scope limitations: Focuses on overall EPB indicators and does not provide tables for partial EPB requirements (fabric or technical building systems), which are covered in other standards.

Practical applications and users

• Regulators and policy makers: Use the standard to define and publish nationally or regionally mandated choices (via national annexes or data sheets) for EPB reporting and requirements.
• Certification bodies: Adopt the reporting templates and label models when designing energy performance certificates and certification schemes.
• Designers and engineers: Apply the guidance to interpret EPB outputs, set project-specific targets and support compliance checks.
• Building owners and asset managers: Use standardized EPB ratings and certificates to inform retrofit decisions, real-estate transactions and performance benchmarking.

Related standards

• ISO 52000-1 (modular structure for EPB standards)
• ISO/TR 52003-2 (informative technical report accompanying this standard)
• ISO 52018-1 / ISO/TR 52018-2 (partial EPB requirements for thermal balance and fabric)
• Relevant CEN EPB standards (technical building systems and specific energy uses)

Keywords: ISO 52003-1:2017, energy performance of buildings, EPB indicators, EPB requirements, EPB rating, energy performance certificate, building energy certification, energy performance assessment.