Big Changes Ahead: Scotland’s New Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2025
The Scottish Government has published the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 in Parliament (10 October 2025), setting the stage for major updates to how Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) work.
These new Regulations will come into force on 31 October 2026, replacing and revoking the current 2008 Regulations. From that point, old EPCs issued under the 2008 rules will no longer be valid, from then on, if you need an EPC, it must be a new-style EPC that meets the 2025 requirements - subject to the transitional arrangements below.
What’s Changing for Non-Domestic Buildings
New rating system: A redesigned EPC format will use the same calculation method as England and Wales, making Scottish ratings directly comparable across Great Britain for the first time. If EPC ratings form part of your ESG reporting, this could have a major impact on your strategy from next year on.
Shorter validity: EPCs will now be valid for five years instead of ten.
New EPC Register: A cloud-based digital register will launch by October 2026 to support the new system and improve data access.
Scottish Government Updated Non-Domestic EPC Design (working version)
Transitional Arrangements
To help manage the switch:
For most buildings being sold or let (non-short-term lets):
If your current EPC is still valid after 31 October 2026, you can use it for the sale or let of a property until 31 October 2027.
However, if the property is sold or let again during that year, a new-style EPC will be required.For large public buildings that must display an EPC:
You can keep using your existing certificate until it expires naturally or until 31 October 2031 — whichever comes first. After that, only new-style EPCs will be valid.
In Summary
From October 2026, all Scottish buildings will move to a new EPC system that’s shorter-lived, more transparent, and aligned with the rest of the UK. Owners and occupiers should check their current certificates, plan ahead for re-assessment, and be ready for the 2026 rollout.
And as a foot-note – there are no current proposals for non-domestic MEES in Scotland (though there are for domestic buildings), nor for ‘a valid EPC at all times on rented property’ as there is in England and Wales.
We’ll keep you posted.
Get in touch to book a free strategy meeting to help you deal with the changes.