The entities responsible under the EKR include:

• Electricity traders
• Universal electricity suppliers
• Natural gas traders
• Universal gas suppliers
  Fuel vendors selling to end-users for transportation purposes

Obligation Levels

Compared to previous years, the obligated party must achieve annual energy savings corresponding to a certain percentage of the amount of energy sold to end users in Hungary that is subject to the obligation.
The percentage is determined for each year, and the previous years to be taken into account, which has undergone several changes since the system was established. 

Determining Energy Savings from Efficiency Measures

The obligated party must submit the necessary data to the Authority to calculate their annual energy savings obligation (per MEKH Decree 17/2020). Energy savings can be confirmed through an energy audit conducted by an accredited energy auditor or auditing organization.

Verification of Energy Savings

Az energiamegtakarítás megállapítása történhet energetikai auditor vagy energetikai auditáló szervezet által kiállított energetikai audit alapján (122/2015. (V. 26.) kormányrendelet)

Verification of Energy Savings

This is carried out by an energy auditing organization authorized to perform verification. Without this, the report cannot be submitted to the Office.
The energy auditing organization performing the verification is responsible for ensuring that the obligated party has taken into account the conversion factors, calculation methods and principles set out in Government Decree 122/2015. (V. 26.) on the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Act, and certifies the additional, significant contribution of the person implementing the investment or measure, as well as the amount of energy savings for the current year and subsequent years.

Meeting the Obligation

The obligated party can fulfill the energy savings requirement through energy efficiency investments or improvement measures within or outside its industry. Verified energy savings achieved by other obligated entities, non-obligated energy efficiency service providers, or third parties also count towards fulfilling the obligation.

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries may include the obligated entity itself, its group members, clients, independent companies, or residential consumers. Supported by the obligated entity and external contributors, beneficiaries execute the project and achieve the savings. The auditor verifies the post-project savings.

EKR Project Flow and Monitoring

Monitoring Energy Efficiency Improvement Measures

If, during the verification, the Office finds that the reported energy savings or part thereof have not been determined correctly, it shall oblige the certifying body to make up for the amount of savings affected by the invalidation within 180 days, failing which it shall impose a fine of HUF 70,000 per 1 GJ of energy savings.
If the Office imposes a fine on the certification body four times within two years, the Office shall, in addition to imposing the fourth fine, prohibit the energy audit body from carrying out certification for a period of two years.

Energy Efficiency Contribution

Instead of fully meeting the energy savings requirement, an obligated party may choose to pay an energy efficiency contribution.

Compliance Verification and Penalties

The Authority monitors compliance with both the energy savings and contribution requirements. Failure to meet the obligation results in a 70,000 HUF fine per unmet 1 GJ/year energy savings.

EKR news

The EKR is currently the most dynamic system supporting energy efficiency improvements. The Energy Efficiency Act and the related implementing decree have been amended several times since the system was introduced. The list of eligible projects is changing.
Eligibility for the EKR requires prior substantial approval and an energy audit and/or certification prepared by an energy auditor listed in the MEKH register.