EPC numbers 'not in public interest' government says

The Government has refused to divulge details about the number of EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) assessors because it said the information was not sufficiently in the public’s interest.

Retired business transfer agent, John Morren of Huntingdon wrote to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI.)

But when Mr Morren requested details of the number of assessors the Government thought would be needed as of October 1st, how many were in training, how many qualified and how many were accredited he was knocked back.

He said: “They wrote saying they were withholding the information because ‘the harm that might be caused to the success of the project in the public interest outweighs the public interest of disclosure.’”

Morren had become concerned that there would be insufficient assessors to carry out the large number of assessments needed from October 1st. Searching the CIBSE web site for assessors in the East Anglia area revealed just four qualified EPC assessors.

He said only 246 assessors were qualified to carry out EPCs nationwide. Half of these were CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors.

“You can’t blame the assessment companies as they’ve only been in the game for a few seconds. But the government has chopped and changed its mind and it’s a mystery how they thought they would have sufficient numbers available.”

Mr Morren has appealed the FOI ruling.

As of October 1st EPCs are compulsory on the rent or sale of all commercial property.