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The approval, by the Department for Communities and local Government, makes CIBSE one of the first organisations to be given the go-ahead to accredit energy assessors.

In April 2008 legislation comes into force which means that thousands of new buildings, major refurbishments and large public buildings throughout England and Wales must have an energy certificate to rate the energy performance of the building.

Accredited low-carbon energy assessors will produce these energy certificates.

CIBSE Certification has developed a register of low-carbon consultants, experts in the design or operation of buildings. Many of these experts will become accredited low-carbon energy assessors, able to produce certificates but also to take a further step and help clients to actively reduce their buildings carbon emissions.

Energy assessors will:

• Sign-off building emissions calculations for the building control officer;.

• be accredited to produce display energy certificates;

• be accredited to produce energy performance certificates for construction, sale or rent;

• provide the competency needed to improve a building's energy performance;

• be tested and certified to ensure a consistently high level of service;

• undertake regular CPD to ensure an ongoing high quality service.

The HVCA subsidiary ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Engineering Services Competence Accreditation (BESCA) has also gained approval to operate an energy assessors scheme.

In Scotland, the Energy Institute has been recognised by the Scottish ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Standards Agency to run an accreditation scheme. The Energy Institute is also awaiting approval from the Department for Communities and local Government to operate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.