Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025: island communities impact assessment

Determination Is a full Island Communities Impact Assessment required?

A full Islands Community Impact Assessment is NOT required

In developing this ICIA we have decided that our policy and regulations on EPC reform, is NOT likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities, including other island communities.

We have consulted extensively in the lead up to implementation of the EPC reform 2025 legislation. This was achieved through three public consultations and through continued engagement with key stakeholders. We have also relied upon our Strategic Advisory Group and External Reference Group to scrutinise our proposals to ensure all relevant issued have been considered.

Through these consultations and through review of the wider literature, we have determined it is unlikely that changes to the rating system will have a significantly different impact on island communities to other communities. This is because changes to the rating system do not place new requirements or restrictions on building owners.

The introduction of new ratings for the Heat Retention and Heating System may benefit traditional buildings, which are common on, but not specific to, islands by providing a clearer picture of the building’s fabric energy efficiency and heating system. In particular, off-gas buildings - which rely on more expensive heating fuels - are likely to achieve a higher rating given the impact of fuel cost will not be included in the Heat Retention Rating.

It is unlikely that the reduction in validity period will have a significantly different impact on island communities compared to other communities. This is because the requirements apply equally across Scotland.

Furthermore, it is also unlikely that the availability of EPC assessors will have a significantly different impact on island communities compared to other communities. This is because while island communities face unique challenges of transport disruption (i.e. of ferries and planes), similar challenges face mainland communities (disruption due to weather), and the regulations continue to include a defence from prosecution where an EPC is unobtainable.

The issues noted above are not unique to islands, and have been accounted for in policy development. Therefore, we do not believe that it would be reasonable to provide different regulations based on geography within the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, nor do we believe that EPC reform will have a disproportionately adverse effect on Scotland’s island communities.