NF EN 16247: The series of standards governing energy audits
In a regulatory, geopolitical, and environmental context that encourages energy savings, an industrial energy audit is a true performance asset.
It enables the analysis of an industrial site’s energy usage, as well as the identification of optimisation areas. To structure this audit, the NF EN 16247 series of standards provides a rigorous and detailed methodology. So, what exactly does it entail? What are the benefits? Let’s decipher.
The NF EN 16247 series of standards: a shared framework
A methodology for conducting energy audits
When an industrial organisation embarks on an energy efficiency initiative, the first step generally involves an assessment through an energy audit. This allows for the identification of main consumption points and the definition of improvement areas based on existing conditions.
Published by AFNOR, the NF EN 16247 series of standards constitutes an essential shared framework that specifies the methodology and deliverables of an energy audit.
Published between 2012 and 2015, it is divided into five parts:
- NF EN 16247-1: Energy audits Part 1 – General requirements
- NF EN 16247-2: Energy audits Part 2 – Buildings
- NF EN 16247-3: Energy audits Part 3 – Processes
- NF EN 16247-4: Energy audits Part 4 – Transport
- NF EN 16247-5: Energy audits Part 5 – Competence of energy auditors
The first part sets out the general requirements. These are complemented by specific requirements for buildings, industrial processes, and transport. The fifth part, meanwhile, specifies the expected competencies of energy auditors.
In the industrial sector, companies wishing to analyse and reduce the energy consumption of their processes are therefore particularly concerned by parts 1 and 3, as well as part 5 relating to the competencies of auditors.
Did you know?
The NF EN 16247 series of standards originated at the European level. The acronym “EN” indicates that it is a European standard. The prefix “NF” means that it has been adopted and disseminated in France by AFNOR.
2022 Revision: Towards an expanded version of energy performance
Parts 1 to 4 of the NF EN 16247 series of standards were revised by AFNOR in 2022, before being made applicable by the decree of 10 July 2025.
One of the main developments in this update aims to harmonise terminology with that of ISO 50001. The concept of “energy performance” has thus been adopted in place of “energy efficiency”. With this evolution, AFNOR places greater emphasis on defining measurable objectives and results.
This revision also reiterates the importance of actual measurements in conducting energy audits. It notably introduces the obligation to define a measurement plan adapted to the audit’s needs, in order to ensure the reliability of collected data and improve the relevance of analyses.
Furthermore, the 2022 version of the NF EN 16247 series of standards extends to industrial processes, covered by Part 3, the possibility of using sampling for sites with similar characteristics. This development particularly facilitates the execution of energy audits for companies with several comparable industrial sites.
Finally, the recommendations resulting from the audit must no longer focus solely on reducing energy consumption, but also on the possibilities of using renewable energies, producing energy from renewable sources, or recovering energy. The standard thus broadens the scope of investigation of the energy audit.
NF EN 16247 vs ISO 50001: be careful not to confuse them!
While these two concepts contribute to improving the energy performance of industries, they do not have the same objective at all:
- ISO 50001 defines the requirements for an energy management system. It enables companies to implement appropriate actions and regularly monitor the results.
- The NF EN 16247 series, for its part, defines the methodology to follow for conducting a corporate energy audit. It frames the different stages of the audit, from data collection to analysis, to the identification of areas for improvement and the formulation of recommendations.
These two standards are therefore complementary but distinct.
The energy audit according to the NF EN 16247 series of standards: regulatory challenges and benefits
Meeting regulatory challenges
The NF EN 16247 series of standards operates within a specific regulatory context. Since European Directive 2012/27/EU, energy audits have been mandatory every four years for certain categories of companies.
Initially based on criteria related to company size, the obligation evolved with Directive (EU) 2023/1791, which now prioritises the company’s energy consumption level. This evolution has been transposed into French law by Law No. 2025-391 of 30 April 2025, known as the DDADUE law.
Henceforth, the energy audit is mandatory every four years for companies consuming from 2.75 GWh/year and not covered by an energy management system. The latter is mandatory from 23.6 GWh/year.
To be validated by the competent authorities, the audit must be conducted in strict compliance with the NF EN 16247 series of standards and be carried out by a qualified auditor.
Better control of energy consumption and identification of improvement avenues
Beyond regulatory obligations, conducting an energy audit according to the normative framework in force offers several benefits for industrial organisations:
- Identify potential energy savings and high-consumption points,
- Study how to integrate renewable energies and waste heat recovery to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels,
- Prioritise actions to be implemented following the audit with an action plan.
For its part, ADEME indicates a median potential of 10% energy savings for companies that submitted their energy audits between April 2021 and April 2025.
These are all benefits to keep in mind for the future, as regulatory requirements are set to extend to more and more companies.
In summary, the NF EN 16247 series of standards represents an essential and shared framework governing the execution of energy audits of all types. For an industrial organisation wishing to embark on an energy efficiency initiative, conducting an energy audit according to the current framework is the first key step to consider.
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