In brief: what it is about
Czech Act No. 406/2000 Coll. on Energy Management requires businesses, depending on their energy consumption, to have either an energy audit or a certified ISO 50001 system. An audit is a one-off assessment with a report, whereas ISO 50001 is a permanent system for managing consumption. Certified ISO 50001 replaces the audit, so you do not need to repeat it.
Rule of thumb: up to 10 TJ (2 778 MWh) there is no obligation; above 10 TJ an audit (or ISO 50001) is mandatory, and above 85 TJ (23 611 MWh) certified ISO 50001 is required. You can check this in the obligation test.
Comparison table
| Aspect | Energy audit | ISO 50001 |
|---|---|---|
| When it is mandatory | Where consumption exceeds 10 TJ (2 778 MWh) on average over the last three consecutive calendar years. | Certified ISO 50001 is mandatory above 85 TJ (23 611 MWh). Below this threshold it is voluntary and replaces the audit. |
| What it is | A one-off assessment of energy consumption with proposed measures. | A permanent energy management system with targets and regular improvement. |
| Frequency | At least once every four years. | Continuous. Certification with regular surveillance audits. |
| Output | A written report with measures, savings and payback. | An established system: policy, targets, EnPI indicators, internal audits, certificate. |
| Data | Data for the assessed period is sufficient. | Requires ongoing data and performance indicators. |
| Costs (qualitative) | They depend on the size and complexity of the operation and the number of energy sources. | System implementation, metering, internal audits, and certification and surveillance audits. |
| Main benefit | Compliance with the obligation and a list of savings opportunities. | Permanent control of consumption and demonstrable improvement over time. |
Obligations, deadlines and fines
The audit obligation arises above 10 TJ and, under the Act, must be fulfilled within one year of the obligation arising; certified ISO 50001 above 85 TJ within two years. Below 200 MWh per year the Act expressly excludes the obligation. Non-compliance is an offence punishable by a fine of up to 5 000 000 CZK. Inspections are carried out by the State Energy Inspectorate. Details are in the Energy Audit guide.
What to choose
- Up to 10 TJ: no obligation arises. A voluntary audit or metering still pays off, as it uncovers savings.
- 10 to 85 TJ: an energy audit once every four years is sufficient. If you want to reduce costs permanently, consider ISO 50001 right away, which replaces the audit.
- Above 85 TJ: certified ISO 50001 is mandatory.
In general: an audit is a quicker and cheaper way to meet the obligation, while ISO 50001 makes sense if it is supported by continuous metering and company management. The Energy Infra Scan platform helps with this by collecting data and showing EnPI. The cost structure of ISO 50001 is described on the page How much ISO 50001 costs.
FAQ
Does ISO 50001 replace an energy audit?
Yes. Under Czech Act No. 406/2000 Coll. on Energy Management, a certified ISO 50001 system replaces the obligation to have an energy audit carried out.
At what level of consumption do I need an audit, and at what level ISO 50001?
An audit is required above 10 TJ (2,778 MWh) and certified ISO 50001 above 85 TJ (23,611 MWh), averaged over the last three consecutive calendar years.
What fine can be imposed for non-compliance?
Under the Act, up to CZK 5,000,000. Offences are handled by the State Energy Inspectorate (SEI), which sets the specific amount according to the circumstances of the case.