The UNI CEI 11352: 2014 certification of ESCOs is a mandatory requirement for an organisation that offers efficiency-improvement services, particularly to continue participating in the Energy Efficiency Credit (EEC) mechanism or to carry out energy audits in accordance with the provisions of the Legislative Decree. 102/2014.
In this industry, where the growth of the general interest is sometimes faster than the ability to acquire and develop concrete skills, many offer and sell improvised services, and the market, which is not fully mature and conscious, may be disoriented.
In this scenario, the certification of an independent party, according to the UNI CEI 11352: 2014 standard, represents the necessary guarantee in the market of a conscious choice with full awareness.
The certification of energy services, according to the UNI CEI 11352: 2014 technical standard targets all ESCOs. (Energy Service Companies) that are able to provide, directly or indirectly, under their direct responsibility, energy services according to the criteria set out and described in European Standard EN 15900.
The technical standard UNI CEI 11352: 2014 is the answer of the Italian Thermotechnical and Electrotechnical Committees, coordinated by the Italian National Enforcement Agency, in order to meet the European legislative requirements and the consequent local transpositions, to define the essential characteristics of energy services, the qualifications of the parties that can perform them, and the energy performance contracts (EPCs).
RINA is accredited by Accredia for the "Certification of companies that provide energy efficiency services in accordance with UNI CEI 11352: 2014", as well as under the accreditation and certification scheme in accordance with UNI CEI 11352: 2014, art.12, paragraph 1 of Italian Legislative Decree No. 102 of 4 July 2014.
Can an organisation that has not yet fully provided an energy service be certified under UNI CEI 11352: 2014?
No, because, irrespective of the type of contract, the organisation must show at least one complete energy service executed in the past and covering all clauses from 4.2 a) to 4.2 k) of the standard, and at least a first cycle of energy management improvement.
Does an organisation need to be ISO 9001 certified?
Not necessarily, it can demonstrate its organisational and managerial capacity in an alternative way.
Does an organisation need to have an qualified Energy Management Expert (EME) on its staff pursuant to UNI CEI 11339?
Not necessarily, it can demonstrate the diagnostic and design capabilities in an alternative way.
