Bulgaria's chamber of energy auditors has launched a national voluntary scheme that lets firms and specialists earn a quality label for their energy efficiency services. Energy minister Iva Petrova handed out the first labels at a ceremony for Energy Auditors' Day at the Ramada hotel in Sofia, the chamber said.

The event was held under the minister's patronage. Three firms got labels: VLM Energy Ltd, run by Vili Radeva. ASS Consult Ltd, whose manager is Teodora Kislyakova. And Romania's URBIO, represented by Marius Bogdan Huminiuc.

The scheme is meant for the public sector, as well as for companies, organisations and specialists in energy and engineering services, construction and building renovation, manufacturing, technology, investment and professional services.

Petrova said energy efficiency matters for society and the economy because it cuts costs for households and businesses.

Chamber chair Valentina Uzunova said the aim is a new way of thinking: more competence, honesty, openness and responsibility for every investment. "Energy efficiency should not be measured only by how much money is put in, but by real savings and the benefits for people," she said.

The scheme builds on the EU principle of "energy efficiency first", set out in directives (EU) 2023/1791 and (EU) 2024/1275. The first of them, in Article 29(2), encourages quality labels, including from professional bodies. In Recommendation (EU) 2024/2476, the European Commission backs national systems that guarantee the quality of energy services.

The chamber signed a three-way agreement on regional cooperation with the Bulgarian-Romanian Bilateral Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Bulgarian Cities and Regions. The parties call it a step towards a future Balkan chamber of energy auditors.

A cooperation protocol with the CEREM Energy Efficiency Centre at the "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University in Iași, Romania, was also presented.