History of the SRI

The amendment of Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (EPBD) outlined the impact of the energy system digitalisation in the energy landscape, from integration of renewables to smart grids and smart-ready buildings. As a result, smart-ready systems and digital solutions in the built environment are to be promoted through the provision of targeted incentives. Consequently, the introduction of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) as a common European scheme for rating the smart readiness of buildings.
The power to adopt acts to supplement the directive and to establish the definition of the SRI and the calculation methodology was delegated to the European Commission (EC). The powers regarding the modalities for its implementation were also conferred to the Commission. As preparatory work, a first SRI technical study was launched in March 2017 by the EC and conducted by VITO, WSEE, ECOFYS, and OFFIS including a preliminary definition of the SRI and calculation methodology, as well as an extensive stakeholder consultation. A second SRI technical study conducted by VITO and WSEE for the fine-tuning of the definition and calculation methodology started in December 2018 and concluded in June 2020. As a result, the Commission Delegated Regulation 2020/2155 and the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2156 were published.

The Delegated Regulation established a common definition and calculation methodology for the SRI. Consequently, the smartness of a building or building unit was defined as to its ability to sense, interpret, communicate, and actively respond in an efficient manner to changing conditions in relation to the operation of technical building systems, the external environment, and demands from building occupants. The calculation methodology and smart readiness rating was described in annexes I to VIII, though striving for consistency and comparability of building ratings across the EU, flexibility to adapt the calculation to specific conditions is enabled. The SRI scheme was labelled as optional, leaving the decision for its implementation to Member States. The SRI calculation methodology enables connection or integration of the SRI scheme with national EPB schemes; markedly, EPCs. Nevertheless, the SRI can never substitute, only complement, energy performance and sustainability assessments. Furthermore, digital building models shall be allowed to be used to facilitate the calculation of a building’s SRI. The SRI certificate was defined as the document for communicating the smart readiness indicator of a building or building unit. It was established that only qualified or accredited experts could issue SRI certificates. If implemented, the SRI ought to have an independent control system, which may be linked to that in place for the energy performance certification schemes.

The Implementing Regulation detailed the accreditation and qualification of smart readiness indicator experts. It indicated that the experts accredited or qualified for issuing energy performance certificates, or for carrying out inspection of heating, air- conditioning, combined heating or air-conditioning and ventilation systems under Directive 2010/31/EU, or for performing energy audits under Directive 2012/27/EU, are also competent for issuing smart readiness indicator certificates. It posed that additional requirements may be set, particularly in relation to training. Regarding the validity of the SRI certificate, the Regulation indicated that it shall not exceed 10 years. It indicated that self-assessment by building owners, users and other interested stakeholders ought to be enabled. However, any smart readiness assessment without the intervention of an expert may not lead to the issue of a smart readiness indicator certificate. In its article 8, the details on the national testing of the smart readiness indicator scheme were outlined.

In 2021, the SRI Platform was set-up by the EC through a service contract issued to the SRI Support Team. The purpose of the SRI platform is to contribute to the promotion of the SRI and related best practices. It serves to promote and support the testing and implementation of the SRI. It acts as an exchange forum involving all stakeholders interested in the SRI, and a forward-looking discussion hub for technical, regulatory and implementation aspects of the SRI.
Since 2022, an incremental number of European Member States have started the process of an SRI non-committal test phase as exploration for the eventual implementation of the SRI scheme.

The Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast) was published in 24 April 2024. It included several recitals on smart-ready buildings and detailed the provisions on the SRI in its Article 15. Particularly, it maintained the SRI scheme as an optional common Union scheme, enabling Member States to apply it on a voluntary or mandatory basis. However, by 30 June 2027, the European Commission shall adopt a delegated act requiring the application of the common Union scheme for rating the smart readiness of buildings to non-residential buildings with an effective rated output of over 290 kW.