On 30/4/2015, an amendment to Act no. 406/2000 Coll. on energy management in the Collection of Laws under number 131/2015 Coll was published. It has been effective as of 1/7/2015. At first it has been (inter alia) required of large companies (over 250 employees) as a process for energy management energy auditing, and repeated every four years. Alternatively, this obligation for implementation and management system certification of energy management can be fulfilled according to ISO 50001, and implementation of environmental management according to ISO 14001, including an energy audit. Companies must fulfill this obligation already as of the 5/12/2015.

Practically it means to decide which of three possible routes to go:

  • Energy audits every four years;
  • Certification according to ISO 50001 (there is no need to perform an energy audit);
  • ISO 14001 certification (here it is necessary to perform an energy audit, but it is not necessary to repeat the energy audit every four years).

Who are liable entities?

Micro, small and medium entrepreneurs are considered to be those that employ fewer than 250 employees and have an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million.

A total of about 2,150 large companies exceed these criteria and these may include large manufacturing companies, retail chains and food companies.

To what extent must companies meet the obligation, and what are the consequences if they fail to do so?

As of the 5/12/2015, large companies are obliged to prepare an energy audit or certify the company according to the ISO 50001.

However, if a company has had a valid energy audit, prepared within 3 years before the effective date of this Act (1/7/2015), it is considered to comply under this Act and the obligation up to the 30/6/2019 is therefore met.

Otherwise, the legal person commits an administrative offense and may be fined up to CZK 5,000,000. Penalties are levied by the State Energy Inspectorate.

Standard DIN EN ISO 50001 provides guidance on the application of any organization whose top management aims to reduce operating costs in line with the energy policy of the European Union and the Czech Republic.