The Building Regulations 2010 (Part L)
Part L of the Building Regulations 2010 focuses on the conservation of fuel and power. It is divided into several Approved Documents, each targeting different types of buildings and works:
Part L1A: New dwellings
Part L1B: Existing dwellings
Part L2A: New buildings other than dwellings
Part L2B: Existing buildings other than dwellings
These documents outline the technical standards and requirements for energy efficiency, including thermal performance, energy performance certificates (EPCs), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission targets.
The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012
These regulations require the provision of EPCs and Display Energy Certificates (DECs), which indicate the energy performance of buildings and provide recommendations for improvement.
The London Plan
The London Plan is the overarching spatial development strategy for Greater London. The current version emphasizes the need for energy-efficient buildings and sets specific targets for reducing CO2 emissions. Key policies related to energy efficiency include:
The Mayor’s Energy Strategy
The Mayor’s Energy Strategy outlines measures to improve energy efficiency across London, including the promotion of energy-efficient technologies, low-carbon heat networks, and renewable energy.
Key Components of Part L Compliance
Target Emission Rate (TER) and Building Emission Rate (BER)
The Target Emission Rate (TER) is the maximum allowable CO2 emissions for a building, expressed in kg CO2/m²/year. It is calculated using a notional building that meets the minimum standards of Part L.
The Building Emission Rate (BER) is the actual CO2 emissions of the proposed building, calculated based on its design and specifications. The BER must be equal to or lower than the TER to comply with Part L.
Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES)
FEES sets limits on the amount of energy used for heating and cooling a building, taking into account the thermal performance of its fabric (walls, roof, floors, windows, and doors). It ensures that buildings are designed with high levels of insulation and airtightness to minimize energy consumption.
Renewable Energy and Low-Carbon Technologies
Part L encourages the incorporation of renewable energy sources and low-carbon technologies to reduce CO2 emissions. Common technologies include:
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
An EPC provides an assessment of a building’s energy efficiency and includes recommendations for improvements. For new buildings, an EPC must be provided to the building owner and the local authority upon completion.
Air Tightness Testing
Air tightness testing measures the rate of air leakage from a building, ensuring that it meets the required standards for energy efficiency. Lower air leakage rates indicate better performance and reduced energy consumption.
Thermal Bridging
Thermal bridging occurs when heat transfers across building elements with lower insulation, such as corners, edges, and junctions. Part L requires the minimization of thermal bridging to improve overall energy performance.
Challenge: A leading electronics manufacturer needed to assess and improve the environmental performance of their new smartphone model.
Enviropass Solution: We conducted a comprehensive LCA of the smartphone, identifying the use phase and raw material extraction as key hotspots. Our team worked with the client to develop strategies for improving energy efficiency and material selection.
Outcome: The manufacturer achieved a 30% reduction in the product's carbon footprint and used the LCA results to support successful marketing claims, leading to increased sales in the eco-conscious consumer segment.
Challenge: A food packaging company wanted to compare the environmental impacts of their new bio-based packaging material with traditional plastic packaging.
Enviropass Solution: We performed a comparative LCA of both packaging types, considering different end-of-life scenarios. Our analysis revealed that while the bio-based packaging had lower impacts in some categories, it performed worse in others due to agricultural inputs.
Outcome: The company used our insights to optimize their bio-based formulation, resulting in a packaging solution that outperformed traditional plastic across all impact categories. This led to successful product launch and adoption by major food brands.
Challenge: A furniture manufacturer needed an EPD for their best-selling office chair to meet customer demands and tender requirements.
Enviropass Solution: We conducted a full LCA of the office chair in line with the relevant PCR and supported the development and verification of the EPD. Additionally, we identified opportunities for reducing the chair's environmental impact through material substitution and improved end-of-life recyclability.
Outcome: The manufacturer successfully published their EPD, leading to increased sales in the commercial sector. They also implemented our recommended improvements, reducing the chair's carbon footprint by 20% in the next product iteration.
The time required to develop an EPD can vary depending on the complexity of the product and data availability. Typically, the process takes 2-4 months from initiation to publication.
The cost of developing an EPD depends on factors such as the product complexity, data availability, and whether an LCA needs to be conducted from scratch. We offer tailored solutions to fit different budgets and can provide a detailed quote after an initial consultation.
While EPDs are voluntary in many contexts, they are becoming increasingly required in certain sectors and for certain applications, such as public procurement or green building certifications.
EPDs typically have a validity period of 5 years. However, it's recommended to review your EPD if significant changes occur in your product or production processes before the 5-year mark.
While it's possible to develop EPDs in-house, it requires significant expertise in LCA and a thorough understanding of relevant standards and PCRs. Many companies find it more efficient to work with experienced consultants like Enviropass.
EPDs provide more comprehensive and quantitative environmental information compared to many other eco-labels. They can often complement other certifications and can contribute to achieving credits in green building rating systems.
Yes, EPDs can support environmental marketing claims. However, it's important that such claims are accurate, specific, and comply with relevant advertising standards. We can guide you in making credible and impactful claims based on your EPD results.
