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Energy and environmental:
Fit for the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG)

Management systems, consulting and green specialists from a single source 

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By 2030, 30 million workers with green skills are expected to be needed worldwide. However, a lack of expertise and a shortage of qualified experts are already two of the biggest hurdles for companies that want to achieve their sustainability goals.  

 

At the same time, the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) imposes new requirements: Companies must increase their energy efficiency, reduce their consumption and introduce energy and environmental management systems. But how can this be achieved with limited internal resources? 

Contents 

This is where we come in. Thanks to our many years of experience in environmental and energy consulting and our strong network of specialists and partner companies, we support you with customised sustainability consulting and suitable personnel - so that you not only meet the requirements of the EnEfG, but also benefit economically from it. This is because 69% of companies consider sustainability to be very relevant to their business success in the coming years. This is the result of our Hays Green Business Study. 

What is the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) and what does it mean for your company? 

The EnEfG came into force in November 2023 and obliges companies in Germany to take specific measures: 

  • Introduction of energy or environmental management systems (ISO 50001 / EMAS). 

  • Regular certification and review of measures. 

  • Annual documentation of savings measures and heat data. 

  • Avoidance or reuse of waste heat. 

  • Identification of economic savings measures through energy audits. 

Also: If you don't act, you pay for it in the long term - potential savings remain untapped and subsidies are not utilized. 

Who is affected? 

Companies with a total annual energy consumption of more than 2.5 GWh are obliged under the EnEfG to draw up and publish implementation plans for cost-effective energy-saving measures (within three years of the energy audit or (re-)certification of the management system). These plans must be reviewed and confirmed by independent third parties prior to publication.  

Companies with a consumption of more than 7.5 GWh must introduce energy or environmental management systems in accordance with ISO 50001 or EMAS by July 2025; in addition, technical energy-saving measures must be identified, waste heat potential and heat recovery measures must be determined and profitability assessments for the implementation of the savings potential must be carried out.  

Operators of data centres with a nominal connected load of 300 kW or more are obliged to implement measures to improve energy efficiency. This includes in particular the optimisation of waste heat utilisation. 

Authorities with an annual final energy consumption of at least 1 GWh must achieve annual savings of 2%. To this end, they can introduce energy and environmental management systems.
 

Violations of the requirements can be penalised with fines of up to €100,000.  

What are environmental and energy management systems? 

Environmental and energy management systems are structured frameworks that help companies to achieve their environmental and energy goals. The two most important systems are: 
EnMS
UMS
Target
Improving energy efficiency, lowering energy consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
Holistic improvement of environmental protection by reducing environmental pollution and conserving resources. 
Procedure
Implementation of a system based on the PDCA cycle ("Plan-Do-Check-Act") with energy analysis, target setting, implementation of measures and continuous optimisation. 
Systematic analysis of environmental impact, development of an environmental management system with clear objectives and measures, staff training, internal audits, external validation and registration in the EMAS register. 
Advantages

  • Cost savings through reduction of energy consumption 

  • Unlike EMAS, focuses exclusively on energy efficiency and is less complex to implement. 

  • Cost savings by reducing energy and resource consumption. 

  • Compared to ISO 50001, a comprehensive approach for all environmental aspects, but with higher requirements for documentation and validation. 

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We support you in the implementation of the EnEfG, the implementation of management systems and the search for suitable specialists.
Sustainability as business opportunity
Realizing cost benefits
Meeting compliance
Minimize risks

These customers already rely on our environmental consulting services 

In the past, we have already been able to support customers such as Deutsche Bahn, BMW and Vattenfall with environmental and energy consulting for companies and thus jointly achieve energy, resource and cost savings.  
Hays customer satisfaction: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Hays customer satisfaction

Our solutions:
Energy efficiency & sustainability with the right experts

In an initial consultation with our experts, we analyse your specific challenges - from energy efficiency and environmental strategies to sustainable HR planning.  

Consultancy & auditing 

As a full-service provider, we can advise you on the integration of various management systems. 

Integration of management systems:Support with the implementation of ISO 50001, ISO 14001 and EMAS, including as-is analysis, concept development, documentation, implementation and training.  

Auditing:Carrying out energy and environmental audits in accordance with DIN EN 16247, ISO 50001 and ISO 14001, including internal and compliance audits.  

Strategic energy efficiency consulting: preparation of energy consumption analyses, individual energy concepts and advice on subsidies (e.g. BAFA).  

CO2 balances: Preparation of carbon footprints at product and company level (Scope 1-3), including data collection, analysis and reporting.  

In-house training courses: Customised training courses on energy and environmental management, energy audits, energy efficiency measures and CO2 balances. 

Recruitment agency: 

As a leading personnel service provider, we support you in filling your vacancies and projects and find the right talent for you. 

Our pool of candidates: 
  • Energy and environmental consultant or manager  
  • Energy and environmental auditors  
  • Energy and environmental engineers  
  • Energy analysts  
  • Climate Protection Manager  
  • Waste Management Specialists  
  • Wastewater Operators 
We place talent in all common types of contract: 
  • Temporary workers - flexible specialists for short-term or long-term assignments  
  • Permanent position - experts for your sustainable corporate strategy  
  • Project-based support (freelancers) - targeted expertise for your projects  

Your advantages of working together 

Cost efficiency and expertise

By working with experienced freelancers and partner companies, we offer you a better price-performance ratio than conventional consultancies without compromising on quality. 

Pragmatic implementation 

We concentrate on the essentials and only implement what your company really needs. This saves time and resources. 

Everything from a single source 

As a leading personnel service provider, we provide you with comprehensive support - from specialist advice to filling your vacancies and projects with experienced sustainability experts. 

Empowerment for independence 

We set up your internal processes and tools so that your company can fulfil all requirements independently and without external help in the future. 

Your contact persons

  • Green Business
  • Corporate Sustainability
  • Green Energy
  • Green Mobility Automotive
  • Green Mobility Railmotive
  • Sustainable Buildings
Paul Endres
Head of Channel Green Business
Central contact person for Green Business
Über 15 Jahre Erfahrung in den Bereichen Sustainability, Strategie und Beratung
Benjamin Seibel
Senior Head of Department, Sociologist
Contact for Corporate Sustainability
Lars Janßen
Managing Expert
Contact for Green Energy
Dominik Strohhäcker
Senior Head of Department
Contact for Green Mobility Automotive
Ingo Sauer
Senior Head of Department
Contact for Green Mobility Railmotive
Nicolas Nannen
Team Leader Sustainability & Green Business
Contact for Sustainable Buildings

Sustainability at Hays

Establishing sustainable thinking and behaviour at all levels of the company is also our own aspiration. To this end, we have developed a sustainability strategy and issued a declaration of compliance with the German Sustainability Code (DNK). Since the end of 2021, Hays has officially been a climate-neutral organisation. We received the HR Excellence Award 2023 in the Sustainability Management & Social Engagement category for our corporate volunteering programme Helping for your tomorrow. We were also honoured with the German Sustainability Award in 2024. 
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Study – Green Business

How ready are companies for the green transformation?
An empirical study by Hays

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FAQ - Energy Efficiency Act

What does the Energy Efficiency Act say?

The Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) obliges companies, public bodies and data centres to implement measures such as energy management systems, waste heat utilisation and energy saving plans. The aim is to sustainably reduce energy consumption and fulfil the requirements of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive. 

The Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) obliges companies, public bodies and data centres to implement measures such as energy management systems, waste heat utilisation and energy saving plans. The aim is to sustainably reduce energy consumption and fulfil the requirements of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive. 


What is ISO 50001?

ISO 50001 is an international standard for energy management systems. The main objective is the continuous improvement of a company's energy efficiency. It includes: 

- Monitoring, documentation and optimisation of energy consumption. 

- Identification of significant energy consumers (e.g. machines or processes). 

- Introduction of measures to reduce energy consumption and energy costs. 

- Utilisation of the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) for continuous improvement. 

ISO 50001 is an international standard for energy management systems. The main objective is the continuous improvement of a company's energy efficiency. It includes: 

- Monitoring, documentation and optimisation of energy consumption. 

- Identification of significant energy consumers (e.g. machines or processes). 

- Introduction of measures to reduce energy consumption and energy costs. 

- Utilisation of the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) for continuous improvement. 


What is EMAS?

EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is a European environmental management system that helps organisations to continuously improve their environmental performance. It includes: 

- Preparation of an environmental statement with assessment of the environmental impact and definition of improvement targets. 

- Introduction of an environmental management system that utilises the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act). 

- Regular external validation by authorised environmental auditors to ensure legal compliance. 

- Promoting transparency and employee participation to realise sustainable environmental goals. 

EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is a European environmental management system that helps organisations to continuously improve their environmental performance. It includes: 

- Preparation of an environmental statement with assessment of the environmental impact and definition of improvement targets. 

- Introduction of an environmental management system that utilises the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act). 

- Regular external validation by authorised environmental auditors to ensure legal compliance. 

- Promoting transparency and employee participation to realise sustainable environmental goals. 


When will the new Energy Efficiency Act come into force?

The Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) came into force in November 2023. The affected companies must complete the implementation of energy and environmental management systems by 18 July 2025. 

The Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) came into force in November 2023. The affected companies must complete the implementation of energy and environmental management systems by 18 July 2025. 


Who is affected by the EnEfF?

A significant part of the EnEfG concerns companies that exceed an average total final energy consumption of 2.5 GWh in the last three years. Additional measures are required of companies with a consumption of over 7.5 GWh. 

A significant part of the EnEfG concerns companies that exceed an average total final energy consumption of 2.5 GWh in the last three years. Additional measures are required of companies with a consumption of over 7.5 GWh. 


When is an energy consultant mandatory? 

According to the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), an energy consultant is required if companies consume a lot of energy and have to introduce an energy or environmental management system or if subsidies are to be used for energy-related refurbishments. The specialist examines the energy status of a building, identifies potential savings and draws up refurbishment proposals. 

According to the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), an energy consultant is required if companies consume a lot of energy and have to introduce an energy or environmental management system or if subsidies are to be used for energy-related refurbishments. The specialist examines the energy status of a building, identifies potential savings and draws up refurbishment proposals.