Carrying out a company energy audit is mandatory for many large companies operating in Poland, and failure to do so can result in significant financial consequences. The level of penalties for failing to carry out the audit is determined by the President of the Polish Energy Regulatory Office (URE) and can be substantial, adversely affecting a company’s financial stability. Find out how high these penalties can be and how to protect your business effectively by carrying out the audit in compliance with applicable Polish regulations.
Penalties for failing to carry out a company energy audit
Penalties imposed by the President of the Polish Energy Regulatory Office (URE) for failing to carry out the mandatory company energy audit can amount to up to 5% of the company’s annual turnover for the previous tax year. The amount depends on a number of factors, such as the scale of the company’s operations, the nature of the breach and any repeated failures to comply. The penalty is administrative in nature, and its amount is determined by URE after a detailed assessment of the individual case. In practice, this means that for large companies the sums can be very substantial, reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions of Polish zlotys, significantly affecting the company’s financial position and market reputation.
When is a company energy audit mandatory in Poland?
The obligation to carry out a company energy audit applies to all large companies that, in each of the last two financial years, employed an annual average of at least 250 people or recorded annual turnover exceeding EUR 50 million and a balance sheet total exceeding EUR 43 million. The audit must be carried out periodically, every four years. Every company meeting the above criteria is required to notify the President of the URE that the audit has been completed and to document its results. Failure to carry out the audit or carrying it out incorrectly is treated by URE as a breach of statutory obligations, which results in the financial penalties described above.
How to avoid a penalty for a missing company energy audit
The simplest and most effective way to avoid a financial penalty is to carry out the company energy audit on time and in compliance with Polish regulations. The audit should be carried out by a qualified specialist or a team of experts and documented in a detailed report covering all required aspects. It is worth remembering that the audit is not only about meeting formal requirements; it is also an excellent opportunity to identify areas of excessive energy consumption and implement solutions that deliver real savings. Conducting energy audits regularly helps maintain full regulatory compliance, eliminating the risk of financial sanctions while providing the company with measurable economic benefits.
