EED Audit: What is it and how can your company comply?
What is the EED audit?
The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) is a European directive that requires large enterprises to conduct an energy audit every four years. The goal is to raise companies’ awareness of their energy consumption and the potential for savings and sustainability improvements. The audit provides a detailed overview of all energy flows within the company, including buildings, installations, industrial processes, and business transport.
Who is required to conduct an EED audit?
Your company must comply with the EED audit obligation if it meets one of the following criteria:
- Number of employees: 250 or more full-time equivalents (FTE), including stakes in or from partner or affiliated companies.
- Financial threshold: Annual turnover of more than €50 million and an annual balance sheet total of more than €43 million, including stakes in or from partner or affiliated companies.
Note: Medium-sized and small companies are exempt unless they are part of a larger group that meets these criteria.
Why is the EED audit important?
- Legal obligation – Failure to comply can result in government-imposed fines.
- Insight into energy consumption – The audit identifies where energy is wasted and where savings can be achieved.
- Cost savings – Improving energy efficiency can significantly reduce energy costs.
- Sustainability & reputation – Energy savings contribute to sustainability goals and strengthen a company’s green image.
What does the EED audit involve?
The audit must comply with the guidelines of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and includes:
- Analysis of current energy consumption: A detailed overview of all energy flows within the organization.
- Identification of energy-saving measures: Practical and cost-effective recommendations for reducing energy use.
- Evaluation of investments and payback periods: An estimate of the required investments and the time needed to recover them.
- Energy consumption profile: A detailed visualization of energy usage over a set period, essential for identifying saving opportunities.
The audit must be conducted and submitted to the competent authority, the RVO.
How to submit the EED audit report
Submitting the report is done via the RVO’s eLoket portal. The process requires:
1. eHerkenning Level 2+ with the appropriate authorizations to log in to the eLoket.
2. The complete EED audit report in the correct format, as required by the RVO.
3. A confirmation of receipt after successful submission.
📌 You can find detailed instructions on how to submit the report and obtain confirmation on the RVO website.
Authorizing an intermediary for submission
You may also authorize an intermediary, such as a certified energy consultant, to submit the EED audit report on your behalf. This can help reduce administrative burdens and ensure the report is correctly submitted.
Content requirements of the energy audit report
The EED audit report must meet specific criteria, including:
- Complete energy inventory: Overview of all energy flows within the organization.
- Overview of possible energy-saving measures: Including expected energy savings and cost savings per measure.
- Cost-effectiveness analysis: Evaluation of the financial feasibility of proposed measures.
- Descriptions of methodologies used: Explanation of approaches and calculations applied during the audit.
The importance of an energy consumption profile
An energy consumption profile provides insights into your organization’s energy usage patterns and helps:
- Identify peak consumption times – Understand when and where energy use is highest.
- Optimize energy efficiency – Implement targeted improvements based on actual data.
- Monitor the effectiveness of energy-saving measures – Evaluate whether implemented measures are achieving the desired outcomes.
Creating an accurate energy profile is a critical part of the EED audit and supports informed decision-making regarding energy savings.
Obligation to implement cost-effective measures
Under the EED directive, companies are required to implement energy-saving measures that have a payback period of five years or less.
Failure to implement such measures may lead to sanctions.
Examples of required measures:
- Optimizing climate control systems – Replacing outdated HVAC systems with more energy-efficient alternatives.
- Implementing LED lighting – Switching from conventional lighting to LED can pay for itself within a few years.
- Using smart energy management solutions – Automation through an Energy Management System (EMS) helps save energy and manage it more efficiently.
Alternatives to the EED audit
Some companies may be exempt from the EED audit if they have:
- ISO 50001 certification – An internationally recognized standard for energy management systems.
- Recognized Measures List (EML) – A list of energy-saving measures that companies can implement to comply with environmental laws.
Implementing an Energy Management System like EnergyGrip can help companies continuously monitor and improve their energy performance, supporting compliance with legal requirements.
EED audit compliance made easy with EnergyGrip
Would you like to make energy management easier?
Request a free demo of EnergyGrip!
With EnergyGrip you get:
- Immediate insight into your energy consumption and saving opportunities.
- Reports that fully comply with EED audit requirements.
- Real-time monitoring and alerts to quickly detect and correct waste.
👉 Curious to see how EnergyGrip can help your organization achieve EED compliance and save energy? Schedule a demo!