Meet your statutory obligation, uncover savings potential, and secure BAFA funding. Alligator does not conduct audits — but it delivers the complete data foundation your auditor needs to produce a standard-compliant final report.
The German Energy Services Act (EDL-G) requires all non-SME companies to conduct an energy audit every 4 years. A company qualifies as a non-SME if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
Alternative to the audit obligation: A valid ISO 50001 certification fully replaces the audit requirement under §8 EDL-G. An energy management system (EnMS) delivers continuously better data than a 4-yearly audit.
SME Thresholds (EU Definition)
From commissioning to the standard-compliant report, an audit typically takes 4–8 weeks. The steps below show where Alligator provides the data foundation for your external auditor.
Joint definition of the audit scope (buildings, processes, plant). Submission of energy invoices, equipment lists, and floor plans. Agreement on key contacts and the on-site inspection date.
Systematic walkthrough of all energy-relevant areas: building envelope, building services (heating, ventilation, cooling), production plant, and lighting. Identification of significant energy users (SEUs). Alligator provides the auditor with all historical load profile data and metering values from ongoing monitoring in exportable form.
The Alligator platform provides the auditor with a complete digital evaluation: load profile analyses, benchmarking by sector and building type, and calculated Energy Performance Indicators (EnPIs). This eliminates time-consuming manual data collection and shortens the analysis phase.
Based on the Alligator analysis, your auditor develops concrete energy efficiency measures with assessments of investment, savings, and payback period — prioritised into quick wins, medium-term measures, and strategic investments.
Complete, standard-compliant audit report per DIN EN 16247-1 by your auditor. Recognised by BAFA, fulfils the proof of compliance obligation under §8 EDL-G. Alligator then supports the implementation of measures with ongoing monitoring and automated savings verification.
Actual costs depend on company size, number of sites, and energy consumption structure. The figures below provide an initial orientation.
BAFA Funding Note: Energy audits and the implementation of energy management software (BEW Module 3) may be eligible for BAFA (Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control) funding. Small companies can receive grants of up to 45%, medium-sized companies up to 35% of eligible costs. Learn more about BAFA funding →
Costs depend on company size, the number of sites, and the complexity of energy consumers. As a rough guide: small companies pay €2,000–5,000; medium-sized companies €5,000–15,000; large companies €15,000–40,000. BAFA funding programmes can reimburse a portion of the costs. For a concrete quote, contact a DIN EN 16247-accredited auditor.
Under §8 of the German Energy Services Act (EDL-G), all companies that are not an SME must conduct an energy audit every 4 years. A company qualifies as a non-SME if it employs ≥ 250 staff, or has ≥ €50 million annual turnover and simultaneously ≥ €43 million balance sheet total. Smaller companies may voluntarily commission an audit — for example, to access BAFA funding.
Yes. A valid ISO 50001 certification (certified to ISO 50003 by an accredited certification body) fully exempts a company from the audit obligation under §8 EDL-G. The advantage: the ISO certificate remains valid for as long as the management system is maintained — unlike the mandatory audit every 4 years. In addition, the certification is eligible for BAFA funding.
From commissioning to the completed final report, an audit takes 4–8 weeks depending on company size. The on-site inspection itself lasts 1–3 days. The subsequent report — which, per DIN EN 16247-1, must include the full data analysis and recommended measures — requires a further 2–4 weeks to prepare.
BAFA (Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control) carries out spot checks and can request submission of the audit report at any time. Non-compliance risks fines of up to €50,000 under §12 EDL-G. Beyond that, the company forgoes the identified savings potential — which in practice often amounts to many times the cost of the audit itself.
Alligator provides your external auditor with complete, standard-compliant consumption data — and then supports the implementation of measures with ongoing monitoring.