As a result of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Commercial EPCs have become legally required upon construction, sale or lease of all non dwellings. Builds detailed in the enforcement vary from basic retail units to large scale public buildings such as airports and hospitals.

Those in need of Commercial EPCs should book an accredited commercial energy assessor. The consultant will consider the lighting, heating and ventilation inside the build and evaluate how they are maintained and controlled. This then allows them to provide the building with an EPC that ranks it on an A-G scale, with A being the most energy efficient and G the least. Recipients of Commercial EPS are also given a document setting out steps that can be taken to make the build more energy efficient.

Commercial EPCs enable prospective buyers and tenants to compare and contrast buildings in relation to their energy consumption and learn what can be done to enhance energy usage. When a commercial building is being rented or sold, Commercial EPCs must be provided no later than at the time of a request for a viewing or upon release of marketing material.

Valid for a decade, Commercial EPCs are enforced by Building Control in newly built sites, and by Trading Standards departments in existing sites. Either way, Commercial EPCs are a legal requirement, and should be attained as soon as possible when there is the intention to sell, lease, or build a new commercial property.

Attaining Commercial EPCs may seem to be a daunting process and a chore that must be undertaken prior to marketing a non dwelling. However, a professional commercial energy consultant can draw up the documentation required by law after one full consultation visit. It is advisable to ensure Commercial EPCs are arranged early to avoid the penalty fee of non production of an EPC of 12.5% of the rateable value of the build up to £5,000.

It is necessary to get Commercial EPCs for so-called "conditioned" properties, meaning buildings enclosed by walls and a roof that also incorporates lights, heating facilities and so on. However, places of worship, temporary builds with under 24 months of planned use, and low energy consumption facilities such as barns are exempt from the Commercial EPC requirement.