CLG Announcement - Data Collectors
The CLG (Communities and Local Government) have announced new guidance with regards to data collectors used in both Domestic and Non-Domestic energy assessments. There have been concerns raised about the quality of the EPC and therefore the public perception of the product which have lead to this announcement.
Please read and digest the following statement and forward.
1. The EA who lodges the EPC must visit the property - this applies to all types of EPCs and DECs.
a. Affirmation is required from the EA that a visit took place
b. Accreditation Schemes should put procedures in place to ensure EAs make declarations regarding visits
c. The onlyexception to this is for those assessments relating to on construction EPCs.
These changes are consistent with, but clarify existing guidance, and will take immediate effect.
The following changes may require changes to existing guidance and/or standards and should take effect from 1 April 2009.
2. Data gatherers are not permitted for domestic property. If a DEA uses existing data held by another on a property, they must verify this data through a site visit.
3. Data gatherers are not permitted for level 3 properties
4. Data gatherers are permitted for level 4 and 5 in the following circumstances:
a. Anyone collecting data for level 4 and 5 must be accredited to level 3 or provide documentary evidence that shows they are ‘fit and proper’ and qualified to undertake the work in hand
b. Any data gatherers used must work for the same company as the Energy Assessor
c. Energy Assessors must have ISO 9001 procedures in place and supervise the data gatherers in their employ and on site
d. The Energy Assessor is responsible for the quality of the data used for the certificate and the competence of any persons gathering data on their behalf
e. The names of all data gatherers used for the EPC must be logged and provided to the Accreditation Scheme.
5. Accreditation Schemes should monitor the number of EPCs that EAs are lodging and instigate additional audits for those lodging large numbers of EPCs from a diverse geographical area.
6. Any EAs breaching these rules should be suspended.
7. Organisations accepting remote lodgements in return for a fee are unacceptable.