ESOS has always had alternative routes to compliance, in Phase 4 we see two of these being removed, but the third strengthened. DECs and GDAs are no longer an option for deemed compliance, but ISO 50001 is.
ISO 50001 certification can be used as an alternative route to ESOS compliance, removing the need to appoint a lead assessor if:
- The ISO 50001 certification covers either the total or significant energy consumption.
- The ISO certificate was issued on or after the start date of the compliance period (6th December 2023) and must remain valid on the compliance date (5th December 2027).
Your energy management system must be certified by one of the following:
- a UKAS accredited certification body
- a body accredited by an EU member state’s national accreditation body
- a body accredited by a member of the International Accreditation Forum
If only part of your significant energy consumption is covered by your certificate then you must appoint a lead assessor and undertake energy audits to appropriately capture your SEC.
If you do comply via ISO 50001 you still have to:
- calculate your total energy consumption and, as applicable, significant energy consumption
- calculate energy intensity ratios
- get a director (or equivalent) to confirm that the information required for the notification of compliance is correct
- submit a notification of compliance through MESOS
- keep an evidence pack
There are many benefits to ISO accreditation and the pursuit of a compliant energy management system, reducing the cost of ESOS compliance is only a small part of the picture. If you feel your organisation might be ready then it may be too late to use it for compliance for ESOS Phase 4 but getting a gap analysis is a great first step and will bring savings for Phase 5.
