Belgium: Obligation to undertake energy efficiency audits

Large companies are obliged to undertake an energy audit, which is conducted by an approved auditor, when renewing their environmental permit. A mandatory implementation of the cost-effective measures identified during the audit is required. Such measures should be implemented within four years since the permit is issued, extended or renewed.

Each region has their own conditions to determine when companies are considered to be a 'large company':

- Brussels: Any building (housing not considered) larger than 3,500m².

- Flanders: The energy audit for large companies is mandatory for all establishments that are subject to reporting or licensing requirements and employ more than 250 people or have an annual turnover of more than €50 million and an annual balance sheet total of more than €43 million.

- Wallonia: A large enterprise is an enterprise that meets at least one of the following two conditions: employs 250 or more full-time equivalents and/or has a turnover exceeding €50 million and an annual balance sheet total exceeding €43 million.