News item | 20-12-2023 | 17:48
As of January 1, contrary to the previous intention, the possibility of municipal custom rules for energy and environmental performance for new construction will not come into effect. This means that municipalities may not impose higher requirements on these components than the Building Environment Decree (Bbl) prescribes. When municipalities impose different requirements for construction projects, industrialization and affordability of housing construction are compromised. This is one of two measures to combat this.
We are working with clients who want to go further than the minimum requirements in the Bbl locally, including municipalities and various construction and development parties, on a clear and standardized method of requesting questions aimed at making housing construction more sustainable. At the same time, knowledge and experience are gained about which future tightening of regulations is realistic.
“Our homes must be built as sustainably as possible, as quickly as possible, and as affordably as possible. We do this by raising the bar – the legal requirements are increasing – and by standardizing the request: no more blooming a thousand flowers, but clarity,” says Hugo de Jonge, Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.
Other refinements
In addition, new requirements for fall protection will apply from 1 July, ventilation requirements for catering will change and the use requirements for escape routes in residential buildings will be clarified. Determination methods must still be drawn up and included in the Environmental Regulations for the ban on lead pipes in existing rental properties and children’s locations, but also for the tightening of fire safety requirements for facades of new high-rise buildings. These requirements are therefore expected to come into effect on January 1, 2026.
The decision and its contents have been published in the Government Gazette.
The visual can be viewed here.