For many companies, a DIN EN 16247 energy audit is a statutory obligation every four years. What exactly is required, who is affected and what alternatives exist – find out here.
DIN EN 16247 is the European standard for energy audits. It defines requirements for systematic analyses of energy consumption in buildings, industrial processes and transport activities.
In Germany, the energy audit under DIN EN 16247 is a statutory obligation for non-SME companies under the EDL-G (Energy Services Act). Every four years, a qualified energy auditor must systematically analyse energy consumption and identify savings potential.
Unlike ISO 50001, an energy audit is a periodic snapshot, not a permanent management system. Companies holding ISO 50001 certification are exempt from the mandatory audit.
A company qualifies as a non-SME if it meets at least two of the three criteria:
Defines the general requirements for the audit process: auditor competence, audit report, data collection, recommendations and quality assurance.
Specific requirements for building audits: heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, building envelope and building services systems.
Requirements for industrial energy audits: production processes, compressed air, steam, refrigeration systems, electric motors and cross-cutting technologies.
Energy audit for vehicle fleets, transport logistics and freight operations – fuel consumption, route assessment and driver behaviour.
Define objectives, set scope, review documentation, schedule site visit.
Review meter readings, invoices, production data and equipment documentation.
Visual inspection of all relevant energy consumers, on-site measurements.
Documentation of findings, savings potential and prioritised recommendations.
An ISO 50001 certification fully replaces the mandatory audit under EDL-G. For companies looking to build a permanent energy management system, ISO 50001 is more cost-effective in the long run – and also unlocks significant tax relief.
The quality of an energy audit stands or falls on data quality. Companies that already capture, structure and analyse their energy consumption data digitally save substantial time and cost during the audit.
Non-SME companies in Germany: companies with more than 250 employees OR more than €50 million annual turnover AND more than €43 million balance sheet total must carry out a mandatory audit every four years under the EDL-G. A valid ISO 50001 certification is an accepted alternative.
Depending on company size and number of sites, typical costs are €3,000–15,000. SMEs can apply for BAFA funding for voluntary audits. As a BAFA-accredited consultancy, we ensure that your consultancy costs are fully eligible for funding.
Yes, completely. A valid ISO 50001 certification exempts the holder from the obligation to conduct periodic energy audits under the EDL-G. Companies that implement ISO 50001 achieve permanent compliance – and additionally benefit from tax relief that a standalone audit cannot provide.
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