Transport companies must adapt technical standards for Energy Savings Certificates

The Directorate General for Energy Planning and Coordination has issued Resolution of July 30, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-16993), which partially updates Annex I of Order TED/845/2023. This regulatory update modifies the standardized catalog of energy efficiency measures, specifically targeting the transport sector through the technical sheets TRA020, TRA040, and TRA050. This change is part of the dynamic evolution of the Energy Savings Certificate (CAE) system, aimed at increasing the precision of energy savings calculations and streamlining administrative procedures for all participating agents.

What changes

The primary modifications introduced by Resolution BOE-A-2026-16993 focus on the technical specifications of energy efficiency measures within the transport sector. The most significant changes are concentrated in the TRA020 measure, which refers to driving assistance systems. According to the official text, the following updates are mandatory for compliance:

• Expanded Scope: The application of the TRA020 measure is now broader, encompassing two distinct modalities: cabin alert systems and individualized feedback systems.
• New Measurement Period: To ensure statistical accuracy in calculating energy savings, the measurement window has been extended. Companies must now record data for 90 days prior to the activation of the system and 90 days following the activation, totaling a 180-day observation period.
• EU Certification Mandate: All technical requirements previously referenced under national standards must now explicitly refer to certifications governed by European Union regulations. This ensures interoperability and higher technical rigor across the single market.
• Structural Reorganization: The content of the technical sheets has been restructured to provide greater clarity in the methodology used to calculate the quantity of savings generated.

Furthermore, the updates to TRA040 and TRA050 aim to refine the precision of savings measurements, although the specific technical adjustments for these sheets follow the same logic of increasing accuracy and reducing administrative burdens for the energy sector agents.

Context

The current regulatory framework for energy efficiency in Spain is built upon Royal Decree 36/2023, which established the Energy Savings Certificate (CAE) system. This system allows companies to obtain certificates based on the energy savings they generate through replicable efficiency measures. To implement this, Order TED/845/2023 approved a catalog of standardized measures (Annex I), which serves as the technical bible for any entity wishing to claim energy savings for certification purposes.

Because energy technology evolves rapidly, the catalog is designed as a dynamic document. The Directorate General for Energy Planning and Coordination has the authority to modify, add, or remove technical sheets via resolution. This recent update is the latest in a series of continuous improvements (following previous resolutions in 2023, 2024, 2025, and early 2026) intended to move away from generic estimations toward highly precise, data-driven energy auditing. By aligning these measures with European Union standards, Spain is integrating its national energy efficiency market more deeply into the broader EU regulatory landscape.

Who is affected and how

The impact of this resolution is specific to those operating within the CAE ecosystem, particularly those involved in the transport and logistics sectors.

SMEs and Transport Companies

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that utilize driving assistance systems to optimize fuel consumption or reduce emissions are directly affected. If these companies intend to monetize their energy savings through the issuance of CAEs, they must ensure their equipment meets the new EU certification requirements. Failure to adapt the measurement protocol to the new 180-day window (90 days before/90 days after) will result in the rejection of their certificate applications, as the methodology specified in the technical sheet will no longer be met.

Self-employed Professionals (Autónomos)

Professionals operating as energy auditors or technical consultants within the CAE system must update their service offerings. They are now required to implement more rigorous data collection protocols to account for the extended measurement periods and must verify that their clients' technologies are compliant with the updated EU-centric technical requirements.

Energy Sector Agents

Any entity acting as a provider of energy efficiency measures must adjust their technical documentation and reporting tools. The shift toward EU-standardized certifications means that providers of non-compliant hardware or software will find themselves unable to participate in the Spanish CAE market for the affected measures.

What to do and when

While the resolution does not specify a single hard deadline for the total cessation of old methods, the technical sheets are updated as part of a dynamic catalog. Therefore, any new application for an Energy Savings Certificate (CAE) submitted after the publication of this resolution must adhere to the updated methodologies. To ensure business continuity, the following actions are recommended:

• Audit Current Hardware: Verify that all driving assistance systems (TRA020) currently in use possess the necessary certifications under European Union regulations, as required by the updated technical sheet.
• Update Data Collection Protocols: Adjust internal monitoring software to capture the mandatory 180-day data cycle (90 days pre-activation and 90 days post-activation) to ensure the validity of future CAE claims.
• Review Technical Documentation: Ensure that all technical files prepared for energy efficiency projects in the transport sector reflect the new scope of application (cabin alerts and individualized feedback).

We recommend contacting the relevant department at BMC to evaluate how these technical changes specifically impact your current energy efficiency projects and certification strategy.