<ODS> wants to relieve bureaucracy in energy labels</ODS>

Prague - ODS lawmakers have submitted a bill in the Chamber aimed at alleviating the administrative burden associated with energy labels. According to their proposal, it would not be necessary to present this so-called energy performance certificate when selling or renting a building or apartment. It would be possible to replace it with an account of heat, gas, and electricity supplies for the last three years. The Social Democrats will certainly support this proposal, said ČTK shadow minister of industry for the ČSSD Milan Urban.
    The intention was already signaled in mid-April by Minister of Industry Martin Kuba (ODS). It has now been introduced in the Chamber by ODS lawmakers František Dědič and Jan Bauer. According to their proposal, the deputies could approve the bill in an expedited process in the first reading. "It does not disrupt the labeling system as required by the European Union," Dědič told ČTK.
    According to Minister Kuba, the goal of the amendments is to limit unnecessary administration and not force citizens to purchase certificates worth thousands of crowns for older buildings that fall into lower energy performance categories and for which the certificate will not increase their value. The costs of obtaining a certificate, according to the lawmakers, range in the thousands to tens of thousands of crowns.
    In the explanatory memorandum, the authors state that the reason for the change in the law is to eliminate a sudden increase in the demands for the number of energy specialists and the number of issued certificates. The change is also intended to remove possible time and financial barriers during sales and rentals, for example, to reduce costs for socially weaker citizens, which brings them additional expenses without clear savings.
    "ODS is evidently reflecting on its conscience. It vehemently pushed for the current version against my will, which burdens citizens. We will definitely support this mitigated proposal," said ČTK member of the ČSSD and chairman of the Chamber's economic committee Urban.
    The proposal also concerns cultural monuments. It stipulates that an owner would not have to prove that a building is a cultural monument. "This is essentially a reduction in bureaucracy," Dědič said. Such a fact is known from publicly available documents and therefore does not need to be re-established. The exemption for cultural monuments and buildings in heritage zones is also being expanded.