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BACnet Insight
Greenwashing and Building Automation
Greenwashing und Gebäudeautomation
What the New EU EmpCo Directive Means for sustainable A BACnet controller is not sustainable by itself.
Manufacturers, System Integrators and Certification environmentally friendly A building does not automatically become energy-ef-
Programmes climate friendly ficient simply because BACnet is installed.
Was die neue EU-EmpCo-Richtlinie für Hersteller, green
Systemintegratoren und Zertifizierungsprogramme eco-friendly Actual performance depends on system design, engi-
bedeutet resource-saving neering, commissioning and day-to-day operation.
must no longer be used as broad, unsupported statements.
From 27 September 2026 onwards, new European rules This distinction becomes increasingly important under
will apply to environmental and sustainability claims. For example, claims such as “Our BACnet solution the EmpCo framework.
The Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition makes buildings sustainable.” or “BACnet automatically
(EmpCo) Directive aims to combat greenwashing by protects the climate.” may become problematic unless The Role of Technical Certification
requiring all environmental claims to be clear, specific supported by objective evidence.
and supported by verifiable evidence. Although primar- Independent certification has long been a cornerstone of
ily designed to protect consumers, the new rules will also More robust examples include: the BACnet ecosystem.
affect manufacturers, system integrators and industry emand-based control reduced heating energy con-
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associations within the building automation sector. For sumption by 18 % in a reference project. The BTL Certification Program verifies compliance with
the BACnet community, the message is clear: technical he installed building automation system enables the BACnet standard through independent testing and
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excellence remains a competitive advantage – but it must compliance with ISO 52120 performance require- confirms product interoperability.
be communicated with greater precision than ever before. ments.
lectrical energy consumption of the ventilation sys- These technical statements remain fully valid.
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Sustainability Claims Require Evidence tem was reduced by 22 % compared with previous However, manufacturers should communicate clearly
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operation. hat certification confirms,
With Directive (EU) 2024/825, commonly referred to how certification is performed,
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as the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transi- The crucial point is not the wording itself but the avail- ho performs it,
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tion (EmpCo) Directive, the European Union introduces ability of verifiable supporting evidence. nd equally important,
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significantly stricter requirements for environmental hat certification does not cover.
marketing claims. The objective is to protect consum- This evidence must be accessible within the same
ers from greenwashing by ensuring that environmental medium as the claim itself – for example within the same A BTL certificate confirms:
statements are transparent, specific and supported by article, the same website, or the same social media post ACnet conformance,
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objective evidence. – rather than merely existing elsewhere and being refer- efined technical functionality,
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enced only in general terms. nteroperability.
Although the Directive primarily targets consumer-facing
communication, it will also influence manufacturers, sys- Building Automation Creates Opportunities – Not It does not certify:
tem integrators, consulting engineers, certification bod- Guarantees energy efficiency,
ies and industry associations whenever marketing mate- sustainability,
rials are used in customer communication. Modern building automation is widely regarded as one of CO reduction,
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the most impactful technology categories for improving environmental performance,
Building automation is explicitly recognised by the EU’s building energy performance – and this is not merely a or product life-cycle impact.
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) as general assumption. EN ISO 52120, which supersedes
a key lever for reducing building energy consumption: EN 15232, explicitly classifies Building Automation and Maintaining this distinction will help prevent misleading
non-residential buildings above defined technical out- Control Systems into efficiency classes and quantifies interpretations while strengthening confidence in certi-
put thresholds are required to be equipped with Build- their potential impact on a building’s overall energy per- fication programmes.
ing Automation and Control Systems (BACS). Conse- formance, providing an objective, standard-based ref-
quently, demonstrating measurable performance rather erence rather than a general claim. Intelligent control Marketing and Sales Need to Adapt
than relying on general sustainability claims will become strategies, sensors, load management and optimisation
increasingly important. algorithms support this classification and help implement Compliance with the EmpCo Directive is not solely a legal
the requirements of the European Energy Performance of issue.
General Environmental Claims Are No Longer Buildings Directive (EPBD).
Enough Marketing, product management, sales, technical docu-
Nevertheless, future communication should distinguish mentation and industry associations all need to review
The Directive does not prohibit environmental marketing. more clearly between the potential of a technology and their communication.
However, claims such as its demonstrated performance.
28 BACnet Europe Journal 45 09/26
