Organisations with more than 250 staff or a turnover of more than €50m must take part in the EU-wide Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), which is reaching the deadline for its second phase, according to an independent low emission vehicle research organisation.
Cenex has moved to remind eligible firms that they must meet the phase two deadline for the ESOS by providing the total energy used by all fleet vehicles within overall compliance calculations.
The ultimate aim of the ESOS is to help larger firms monitor their total energy usage more regularly, whilst planning for improvements in areas where consumption is substantially high.
Around 10,000 large British firms are thought to be affected by the ESOS, with organisations required to meet the deadline for phase two and provide a compliance report to the Environment Agency by 5th December 2019, or risk maximum financial penalties for non-compliance of £50,000.
Robert Evans, CEO, Cenex, said: “Assessing energy usage from your fleet for ESOS compliance can seem daunting, but potentially delivers significant benefits in terms of reduced fuel consumption, greater efficiency and lower costs.
“Fleet managers need to start planning now to ensure compliance across their operations.”
All eligible ESOS firms must provide details of all energy usage relating to fuel supplied to the company and its staff for commercial use. That’s providing the figures equate to more than a tenth of the organisation’s total energy usage.
Consequently, firms must measure the energy consumption of fleet cars, vans, and heavy goods vehicles that are either owned or leased; as well as grey fleet vehicles.
The initial deadline for phase one of the ESOS was four years ago, providing UK businesses with audits of their energy usage across a host of industries, ranging from construction and e-commerce through to chilled and frozen food deliveries and haulage firms.
According to GOV.UK, organisations that qualify for phase two of the ESOS and are fully covered by ISO 50001 do not need to complete next stage of the assessment. However, these firms must still notify the Environment Agency of their compliance with the ESOS.
All other firms that are not fully covered by ISO 50001 must complete the next stage of the ESOS assessment.
Eligible firms must appoint a lead assessor to oversee their energy audits and the entire ESOS assessment. Lead assessors are allowed to be employees or external contractors, providing they are named on the register of an approved professional body.
