The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025, as amended by the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2026: island communities impact assessment (ICIA)

Impact Assessment Update – August 2026

The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2026 make amendments to the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025. These amendments adjust the coming into force date and transitional and savings provisions of the 2025 Regulations.

The amendments made by the 2026 Regulations do not alter the underlying policy intent, scope or requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025. The changes are limited to the timing of implementation, including the coming-into-force date and associated transitional arrangements, reflecting dependencies on UK Government technical and operational infrastructure (the ‘Home Energy Model’ and ‘Energy Calculation as a Service’ functions which will support the statutory calculation methodology and register of certificates) that will underpin the delivery of the Regulations.

The Scottish Government is committed to investing in the elements of the programme to support consumers. As such, lodgement fees will rise as planned, on 31 October 2026, which will ensure technical and operational infrastructure is ready, and consumers are further protected by the development of an effective audit regime.

The suite of Impact Assessments prepared for the original Regulations, including the Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) has been reviewed, in light of these amendments, to ensure they remain accurate and appropriate. This review has confirmed that the impacts previously identified remain valid, and no material changes to those impacts, other than of their timing, have been identified.

While outside the Regulations, the Scottish Government has progressed development of a Simplified Procedure to update EPCs where appropriate, as set out by the then Cabinet Secretary at the Local Government, Housing, and Planning Committee during their scrutiny of the Regulations. This Simplified Procedure would allow for an Energy Assessor to produce an EPC based on trusted building information provided an appropriate person, without the need for a site visit by an Energy Assessor. While the application of this guidance will not be specific to the islands, it is intended to reduce the time and cost associated with Energy Assessor travel to site. This reduction in cost is likely to reduce the overall cost of EPCs, most significantly in islands and rural communities.

Heat in Buildings Assessment Unit