The Energy Savings Certificate System (CAE) promoted by the Spanish Government allows obligated parties under the National Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (SNOEE) to meet part of their compliance obligations by certifying real final energy savings achieved through energy efficiency measures.
To be converted into CAEs and officially recognised, these energy savings must be verified by bodies accredited by the Spanish National Accreditation Body (ENAC). ENAC accreditation for CAE verification bodies therefore constitutes an essential legal requirement to operate within the CAE framework.
This accreditation is granted in accordance with the ENAC Accreditation Procedure (PAC-ENAC Rev.7, April 2024) and the technical scheme RDE-33 Rev.3 (June 2025), which define the applicable technical and organisational requirements for CAE verifiers.
ENAC Accreditation Procedure for CAE Verification Bodies
The ENAC accreditation process is structured into several clearly defined phases designed to ensure the quality, consistency and reliability of the verification system.
Application for Accreditation
The applicant organisation must submit a formal application to ENAC using the official form and define the scope of accreditation, including:
- Object of verification: Verification of annual energy savings achieved under the Energy Savings Certificate System.
- Applicable programme:Technical scheme RDE-33 Rev.3
- Regulatory framework: Royal Decree 36/2023 and Ministerial Order TED/815/2023.
- Types of measures to be verified:
- Standardised measures
- Individual (custom) measures, classified by sector (residential, transport, industrial, tertiary and agricultural)
- Internal procedures: Documentation describing the verification methodologies, processes and quality controls applied by the organisation.
This stage is critical to clearly define the technical scope recognised by ENAC.
Structure and Competence of the Verification Body
To obtain ENAC accreditation as a CAE verification body, the organisation must demonstrate:
- Personnel with proven education and professional experience in energy, energy efficiency and applicable calculation methodologies.
- For individual measures, sector-specific technical expertise is required, and at least two verifiers must hold certification in Measurement and Verification of Energy Savings or equivalent training.
Documentary Review and Fee Quotation
Once the application is submitted, ENAC conducts a preliminary review of the documentation to verify compliance with basic requirements.
If the review is favourable, ENAC issues:
- An estimated accreditation fee quotation
- A formal acceptance request
- A request for advance payment of 50% of the total cost
Appointment of the Audit Team
Following acceptance of the quotation, ENAC appoints an audit team consisting of a lead auditor and the technical experts required according to the defined scope.
Accreditation Assessment
The assessment phase verifies that the organisation meets all technical, organisational and competence requirements to operate as a CAE verification body.
It consists of three main components:
Documentation Review
ENAC reviews internal procedures, records, organisational structure, verification methodologies, independence safeguards and regulatory compliance.
On-site Audit
The audit is conducted in three stages:
- Opening meeting: Presentation of the audit team, confirmation of the audit plan, scope and methodology.
- Audit activities: Review of records, staff interviews and observation of verification activities under normal operating conditions.
- Closing meeting: Communication of audit findings.
Witness Audits
ENAC accompanies the organisation during real verification activities carried out within three months following the audit. After accreditation is granted, ENAC conducts periodic surveillance audits and, where applicable, scope extension assessments.
Evaluation Report
The audit team issues a technical evaluation report within a maximum period of 15 calendar days following the audit, detailing findings and conclusions.
Accreditation Decision
Based on the evaluation report and supporting documentation, ENAC issues, where the decision is favourable:
- The Accreditation Certificate
- The Technical Annex, specifying the approved scope and confirming that verification activities may only be carried out by individuals listed in the Authorised Verifiers List (AVL)
Conclusion
ENAC accreditation as a CAE verification body is a rigorous process that ensures the technical robustness and legal reliability of Energy Savings Certificates in Spain. For any organisation seeking to operate within the CAE system, a thorough understanding and proper management of this procedure is essential.
Ana Grant
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the official certification issued by ENAC authorising an organisation to verify energy savings under the Energy Savings Certificate System.
PAC-ENAC Rev.7, technical scheme RDE-33 Rev.3, Royal Decree 36/2023 and Ministerial Order TED/815/2023.
The duration depends on the organisation’s complexity but generally includes audits, witness assessments and a final evaluation over several months.
Technical training in energy and energy efficiency, with at least two verifiers certified in Measurement and Verification of Energy Savings.
ENAC conducts regular surveillance audits and may process extensions of scope where requested.
Yes. Only ENAC-accredited bodies may officially validate energy savings eligible for CAE issuance.
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