Many qualifying companies are being investigated by the Environmental Agency for failing to comply with The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
ESOS deadline for compliance was December 2015, it is a mandatory scheme for all large businesses in the UK, employing at least 250 employees or a turnover of over €50 million and a balance sheet in excess of €43 million.
The Environment Agency have the power to issue warnings and civil penalties. A statement made by a spokeperson at the Environment Agency said “individual decisions regarding companies will be dealt with on a case by case basis”. Enforcement teams have been set up to investigate non-compliant companies. It may be wise for companies who are unsure of their status to check their positions under ESOS and consider their obligations.
Compliance audits of the DEC’s and energy audits submitted under ESOS by the complying companies are also being undertaken, and will continue until March 2017. The majority of companies have pleasingly been found to be acceptable, although 65% of firms required slight tweaks to be fully compliant.
