Esos Time is running out!

ESOS Time is running out!

10,000 of the UK’s largest businesses have to comply with the new Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and conduct a mandatory energy audit across buildings, transport and industrial operations by December 2015.

Any company with more than 250 staff, or less than 250 staff but a turnover of over €50m and balance sheet exceeding €43m, must comply with ESOS. It also applies to smaller companies who are part of a corporate group which includes a business which meets those non-SME criteria.

Businesses can’t afford to ignore ESOS – compliance is not optional.

More importantly, any delay in action could mean potential savings go unrealised. Often, the potential savings outweigh the cost of compliance.

During 2015, organisations will need to carry out audits and submit reports for their buildings in order to comply with ESOS. There are various routes to ESOS compliance to include having in place ISO 50001 (covering all energy use), or to carry out ESOS audits, Green Deal assessments or produce a Display Energy Certificate.

For those organisation looking to implement ISO 50001 as their route to compliance – time is running out! Certification bodies are currently quoting a lead time of up to 6 months for ISO 50001 assessments!

The deadline for compliance with Phase I of ESOS is 5 December 2015, by which time qualifying organisations must have carried out their ESOS assessment and have notified the Environment Agency (EA). The penalties for failure to act are severe.

Failure to notify – fixed penalty of up to £5,000. Thereafter, an additional £500 for each working day starting on the day after service of the penalty notice until the notification is completed, subject to a maximum of 80 days

Failure to maintain records – fixed penalty of up to £5,000. Thereafter, the cost to the compliance body for undertaking sufficient auditing activity to confirm that an organisation has complied with ESOS.

Failure to undertake an energy audit – A fixed penalty of up to £50,000. Thereafter, an additional £500 for each working day starting on the day after service of the compliance notice, until the breach is remedied, subject to a maximum of 80 days

Failure to comply with a compliance/enforcement/penalty notice – fixed penalty of up to £5,000. Thereafter, an additional £500 for each working day starting on the day after service of the penalty notice, until the breach is remedied, subject to a maximum of 80 days.

False or misleading statement – A fixed penalty of up to £50,000.

For all of the above, an additional ‘Publication’ penalty may be imposed. This involves the regulator publishing details on their webpages of the person on whom the penalty was imposed; the legal requirement that was not complied with; and the amount of any financial penalty imposed.

How can Blackmores can help you comply?

Whichever route you choose to take to comply with ESOS Blackmores can assist.

Blackmores has experience of implementing ISO 50001 management systems in various industries and has qualified ISO 50001 Lead Auditors (IRCA Registered Course).
Should you wish to go down the ESOS Energy Review route we also have a qualified ESOS auditor within the team.

Please contact us for more information on helping you get compliant!