Directive 2010/31/EU is the main legislation, together with Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council2 and Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council3, addressing energy efficiency in buildings in the context of the 2030 energy efficiency targets. Directive 2010/31/EU has two complementary objectives, namely to accelerate the renovation of existing buildings by 2050 and to support the modernisation of all buildings by using smart technologies, such as those that make use of artificial intelligence and cloud-based services, and having a clearer link to clean mobility.

In order to support a consistent and transparent rating of the smart readiness of buildings in the Union, a common definition of the smart readiness indicator and a common methodology for calculating it should be established.

In order to ensure the acceptability, usability and consistency of the smart readiness indicator scheme, the Commission has developed, in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders and in liaison with Member States, a methodology for rating smart readiness of buildings in accordance with Article 8(10) of Directive 2010/31/EU and its Annex IA.

That methodology for rating the smart readiness of buildings ensures a degree of consistency and comparability in rating of the smart readiness of buildings across the EU, while leaving enough flexibility to adapt the calculation to specific conditions.

Adequate control mechanisms on the implementation of the smart readiness indicator scheme should be established.

Where relevant, self-assessment of smart readiness by the owner, by the facility manager or any other stakeholder linked to the building, supported by open guidance and tools, should be possible.

In order to avoid the duplication of efforts and costs between the smart readiness indicator scheme and existing mandatory schemes, the methodology for rating the smart readiness of buildings should allow Member States, if they wish, to connect, or integrate, the smart readiness indicator scheme with national energy performance certification schemes and other schemes established under Directive 2010/31/EU.

The smart readiness indicator should be designed to reflect the smart readiness of buildings and their systems and should be used to complement – not to replace – tools that assess other aspects of buildings, for instance energy performance or sustainability.

The smart readiness indicator should not be an indicator for the energy performance of buildings. Building owners should be informed that the smart readiness as reflected in the smart readiness indicator and the energy performance of buildings as expressed by energy performance certificates are different issues, which therefore have to be addressed by different types of measures, though smart readiness should help enhance energy performance.

The benefits for consumers, building users and owners will be maximized when available instruments for rating buildings are used in combination, ensuring that the consumers, building users and owners can gain a comprehensive understanding of their buildings and of how they can improve overall performance.

The smart readiness indicator should be available for both existing buildings and new building projects. Digital models of buildings, including building information models or digital twins, should be allowed to be used to facilitate the calculation of smart readiness scores.

The smart readiness indicator calculation framework should be allowed to be used for all types of buildings and building units covered by Directive 2010/31/EU.

The smart readiness indicator should allow to highlight the additional benefits from advanced smart technologies for building owners and users, for instance in terms of energy savings and preparedness to climate change, or in terms of more inclusiveness and accessibility, comfort and well-being.

The assessment of the smart readiness of buildings and building units as part of the smart readiness indicator scheme for the purpose of issuing a smart readiness indicator certificate should be carried out by qualified or accredited experts.

Where Member States consider it appropriate, experts accredited for the energy performance certification of buildings, or for the inspection of heating, air-conditioning and combined heating or air-conditioning and ventilation systems under Directive 2010/31/EU, or for performing energy audits under Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council4, should be allowed to be considered competent also to assess the smart readiness of buildings or building units.

Increased digitisation and connectivity in buildings increases cybersecurity and data protection risks and makes buildings and their systems more vulnerable to cyber threats and misuse of personal data. The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted pursuant to Article 42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725. The smart readiness indicator should help to inform building owners and users of those risks,