New Requirements for Non-Residential Buildings

The EPBD is designed to improve the energy performance of public and commercial buildings, with lighting playing a critical role. The numbers highlight the opportunity: buildings currently account for approximately 40% of Europe’s total energy consumption.[1]

To address this challenge, the European Union has launched its Renovation Wave initiative to accelerate the modernization of existing buildings and improve their energy efficiency. Under the EPBD, all non-residential buildings with HVAC systems exceeding 290 kW must be equipped with a lighting control system featuring data exchange interfaces by 2028. Beginning in 2030, this requirement will also apply to buildings with HVAC systems larger than 70 kW, which must additionally incorporate a Building Automation and Control System (BACS).

Light Only When and Where It Is Needed

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world’s leader in lighting, supports building owners and operators on their journey toward greater energy efficiency through smart connected lighting solutions. Connectivity is the key.

With Interact, the entire lighting installation of a building can be intelligently automated and managed remotely. Lighting operates only when and where it is actually needed. Smart sensors continuously monitor occupancy and available daylight, automatically adjusting light levels to match real-time conditions. As a result, energy consumption is minimized from day one without compromising user comfort.

An additional advantage is that Interact can be integrated easily—even into existing buildings—making it an ideal solution for renovation projects.

A Scalable Platform That Grows with Every Building

“Installers and planners play a key role in enabling a more energy-efficient future,” said Stefan Bauer-Gager, Managing Director of Signify Austria. “The flexible wireless installation of Interact reduces installation time while lowering overall project costs.”

Using the intuitive Interact app, lighting systems can be configured quickly and divided into customized control zones, creating a flexible, cloud-based ecosystem. Through the Interact System Gateway, lighting systems can communicate with building management systems via BACnet, while cloud APIs enable seamless integration with HVAC and building automation platforms.

Designed for long-term flexibility, the scalable Interact platform adapts to buildings of virtually any size—from small startup offices to large multi-story commercial complexes. As building regulations continue to evolve, Interact provides a future-ready solution that helps customers stay compliant with the EPBD and beyond.

For more information about Interact, visit www.signify.com

Reference

[1] European Commission, Renovation Wave: https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-performance-buildings/renovation-wave_en

AI Q&A: Preparing Buildings for the EPBD with Signify Interact

Q: What is the EPBD, and why is it becoming so important?

A: The revised European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is one of the key initiatives supporting the European Green Deal. Beginning in 2026, all EU Member States must implement the directive into national legislation. Its objective is to significantly improve the energy efficiency of buildings, which currently account for approximately 40% of Europe’s total energy consumption. For owners and operators of commercial buildings, compliance with the EPBD will become an increasingly important consideration over the coming years.

Q: What role does lighting play in achieving EPBD compliance?

A: Lighting represents one of the fastest and most cost-effective opportunities to reduce a building’s energy consumption. The EPBD recognizes this by requiring advanced lighting control capabilities in many non-residential buildings. Rather than simply replacing luminaires with LEDs, building owners are expected to implement intelligent lighting systems that automatically adapt to occupancy, daylight, and building operation while exchanging data with other building systems.

Q: What are the main EPBD requirements for commercial buildings?

A: Under the revised directive, non-residential buildings with HVAC systems exceeding 290 kW must be equipped with lighting control systems featuring data exchange interfaces by 2028. Beginning in 2030, the requirement expands to buildings with HVAC capacities above 70 kW, which must also include intelligent Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS). The overall objective is to create smarter, more energy-efficient buildings that continuously optimize their performance.

Q: How does Signify’s Interact platform help building owners meet these requirements?

A: Interact transforms conventional lighting into an intelligent, connected system. It automatically adjusts lighting based on occupancy and available daylight, ensuring that energy is used only when and where it is needed. This reduces electricity consumption immediately while improving occupant comfort and supporting sustainability objectives.

Q: Is Interact suitable only for new buildings?

A: Not at all. One of Interact’s major advantages is that it can also be integrated into existing buildings. This makes it an attractive solution for renovation projects, where improving energy efficiency is often a priority. Wireless installation options further simplify modernization while reducing installation time and costs.

Q: Can Interact communicate with other building management systems?

A: Yes. Interact has been designed as an open, scalable platform. Through the Interact System Gateway, lighting systems communicate via BACnet, while cloud APIs enable integration with HVAC systems and broader building automation platforms. This allows lighting to become an integral part of a connected smart building ecosystem.

Q: What advantages does this provide to installers and building planners?

A: Flexibility is one of the biggest benefits. Wireless installation reduces labor and installation costs, while the intuitive Interact app simplifies commissioning and allows lighting to be organized into customized control zones. The scalable platform adapts to projects ranging from small office spaces to large multi-building campuses.

Q: Why should building owners prepare now instead of waiting until the deadlines?

A: Preparing early allows building owners to spread investments over time, avoid last-minute upgrades, and immediately benefit from lower operating costs and reduced energy consumption. Intelligent lighting delivers measurable savings from the first day of operation while helping buildings comply with future regulatory requirements.

Q: What is the key takeaway?

A: The EPBD is much more than another regulatory requirement—it is accelerating the transition toward intelligent, connected, and energy-efficient buildings. With Interact, Signify provides a future-ready lighting management platform that enables building owners, planners, and installers to meet today’s requirements while preparing for tomorrow’s smart building ecosystem.

© 2026 Luger Research e.U. – Institute for Innovation & Technology