EPC evidence must support the assessment for the actual building. A marketing image, a similar plot or a design-stage report cannot establish the as-built position.
EASOB publishes Scheme Operating Requirements (SORs) for energy certificates in England and Wales. Level 1 v1.5 sets the high-level requirements; Level 2 v1.13 adds operational detail. These govern accreditation and certificate quality, alongside the applicable methodology and regulations. They do not certify Briary’s website or its free tools. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate arrangements.
New-home EPC records
The September 2026 OCDEA evidence PDF, labelled v1.1, lists the lodged assessment data file, geometry and site plans, construction specification, U-value evidence, developer as-built sign-off, airtightness certificate and applicable junction records. Regulatory construction photographs are also needed where the relevant Part L route requires them. The assessor may need additional evidence for the particular dwelling.
Commercial EPC records
The NDEA evidence document distinguishes existing from newly constructed buildings. Records include assessment data, annotated zoning and evidence supporting inputs and recommendations. Existing-building records include site notes and relevant photographs; new-building records include as-built confirmation and applicable pressure-test evidence. Where photographs are not permitted, the document calls for a client-signed, dated restricted-access record. Agree access and evidence needs before the visit.
Publication date and implementation
These minimum-evidence documents are dated September 2026. Confirm their implementation date and any additional instructions with the appointed assessor’s accreditation scheme; a document’s publication date alone does not establish when every requirement becomes operative.
Retention and confidentiality
Level 2 SORs section 1.4 and Appendix 4.1 require a minimum fifteen-year retention period for assessor records. EPC assessment information also has confidentiality and sharing controls. Those records are separate from the short-lived activity records described in this website’s privacy notice.
Part L photographs and public project images
Part L construction photographs support a specific building-control and energy-assessment record. Website illustrations serve a different purpose. Public case studies need verified facts, image rights and permission for publication; client permission alone does not remove statutory or scheme restrictions on sharing assessment data.