The first organisation to secure this accreditation for Northern Ireland, Northgate will provide its software for the production of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) from 30^th June 2008, when they become required for residential sales.  The Department of Finance and Personnel for Northern Ireland (DFP) with the agreement of Communities and Local Government (CLG) has agreed that accredited Domestic Energy Assessors, already qualified to work in England and Wales, can work in Northern Ireland, following completion of an additional training module. This enables Northgate’s existing accredited Domestic Energy Assessors to produce EPCs in Northern Ireland.  Northgate’s software and services can now be used by assessors in Northern Ireland involved in the production of the following: ·    energy performance certificates for existing homes for sale from 30^th June 2008;·    energy performance certificates for rental of existing homes including social housing from 30^th December 2008. The duty to have an EPC produced is on the seller, the lessee or the builder. 

Russell Osborne, Managing Director of Land & Property for Northgate Public Services, said today:  “We are committed to helping Northern Ireland reduce its carbon footprint through the efficient and effective use of EPCs. We are delighted to be the first organisation to receive approval for our software.  “Domestic Energy Assessors accredited by Northgate are currently providing excellent services across England and Wales. We are pleased to be able to support them in extending their work to Northern Ireland and contributing to the smooth roll out of energy performance certificates in 2008.”  - Ends - 

For more information: Fellows’ Associates:Kathy Sutton            020 7849 3403; 07966 890401; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it