In 2026, Belgian certifiers, whether specialising in energy-performance certifications (EPC/PEB) or property condition and rental compliance inspections, face a critical moment of regulatory acceleration. New rules in the regions of Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels introduce tighter obligations for buildings, more data collection, and greater process transparency. For independent and freelance property-certifiers, the implications are substantial: scheduling more inspections, managing more complex data, ensuring audit-ready documentation, and adapting workflows accordingly. 

1. Key 2026 regional regulations to know 

   1. Flanders 

   In Flanders, the requirement for non-residential building units to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate for non-residential use (EPC NR) is being extended further in 2026. According to Flemish government guidance: “As of 1 January 2026, every large non-residential building unit with a usable floor area smaller than 1 000 m² must have an EPC NR, regardless of sale (or other transfers) or rental.” This means that many smaller offices, retail units or service-buildings will now come into scope where they were previously exempt. 

   2. Brussels-Capital Region 

   From 1 January 2026, the Brussels Region will bring into force new minimum quality standards for all housing rented out by private or public landlords, irrespective of transaction, focusing on safety, ventilation, sewage, gas appliances and maintenance obligations. Although these rules concern landlords, they generate increased demand for certified assessments by property-experts (inspections of gas safety, etc.). 

   3. Wallonia  

   In Wallonia, while the full certification framework for non-residential buildings is still evolving, the pressure is growing: for residential buildings, the EPB (Energy Performance of Buildings) certificate is already mandatory before sale or lease. In practice, Wallonia’s trajectory means certifiers must anticipate new tools and likely increased scope in 2026-27. 

   4. EU Directive Influence 

   Beyond regional rules, the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) (EU/2024/1275) sets national obligations that must be transposed by 29 May 2026, including national energy-performance databases, renovation passports, smart-readiness indicators and minimum standards for the worst-performing buildings. For certifiers, this implies greater data-upload duties, more complex certificate formats and enhanced technical requirements. 

   
   

2. How these regulations will affect your daily workflow 

   1. Broader building scope and client base 

   With non-residential units in Flanders now included from 2026, certifiers will see increased demand for EPC NR inspections. If previously only units ≥1,000 m² were covered, from 2026 the threshold lowers,  thus your pipeline may expand significantly. This expands your target market but also increases competition and scheduling pressure. 

   2. Scheduling complexity and tighter deadlines 

   More inspections mean tighter calendars. Furthermore, landlords in Brussels who must meet minimum rental-quality standards will require compliance assessments quickly ahead of 2026 deadlines. For you, that means you’ll be scheduling more multi-actor inspections (landlord, tenant interest, technical installers) and may face more urgent ad-hoc visits. Efficient appointment management and clear coordination are essential. 

   3. Data requirements and audit readiness 

   Thanks to the EPBD’s push to national databases (Article 22) and the regional obligations, you’ll be handling certificates and reports with more complex formats, machine-readability requirements, and possibly uploads to central registers. You’ll need to capture more detailed metadata (building typology, energy systems data, inspection logs). Mistakes or missing fields may lead to invalid certificates or client re-work. 

   4. Integration of maintenance and inspection services 

   Brussels’ minimum housing standards (2026) emphasise gas appliance safety, ventilation, etc. This means certifiers may add ancillary inspection services (gas type B/C appliances, ventilation systems) alongside energy certifications. As such, your role becomes more multi-disciplinary. 

   5. Competition and differentiation 

   With many newly-regulated assets, certifiers will compete for the same volume. Those who adopt digital tools, streamlined workflows and robust documentation will stand out. The certification is no longer just a field “visit and report”, it is speed, accuracy, client-communication and compliance finesse. 

   
   

3. How ExpertOps helps you tackle the 2026-regulation challenge 

Since ExpertOps is built for property-certification professionals working across Belgium, its design aligns directly with the regulatory pressures outlined above. Here’s how: 

1. Scheduling & multi-actor coordination 

   1. ExpertOps supports appointment workflows involving multiple stakeholders (landowners, tenants, technicians, inspectors) and dependencies (e.g., ventilation check before final inspection).

   2. With the increased inspection volume (due to 2026 rules), you can streamline scheduling, reduce idle time and avoid double-bookings. 

   3. This is crucial for the Brussels standard-compliance rush: coordinating landlord and tenant timeslots, mandatory appliance checks, etc. 

   
   

2. Data capture aligned with certificate requirements 

   1. The platform allows templated data capture and storage that aligns with certificate formats. 

   2. You’ll be ready for uploads to national/region databases and permit fewer errors, fewer re-work, and greater client trust. 

   
   

3. Workflow integration and process traceability 

   1. With ExpertOps, you link: Scheduling à Onsite inspection à Data entry à Report/invoice issuance in one unified system. That meets the demand for audit-readiness and transparency. 

   2. Brussels regulations emphasise safety documentation (e.g., gas appliance records). ExpertOps allows you to attach inspection-photos, appliance-checklists, upload to client portals, all logged. 

   
   

4. Compliance-ready invoicing & documentation 

   1. Under the 2026 regulations, higher volumes and tighter deadlines require swift yet compliant billing and client communication. ExpertOps supports integrated invoicing, contract/document tracking and client portals, so you focus on certification, not administration. 

   2. In Flanders, given the expansion of EPC NR scope, your documentation must be strong to compete. ExpertOps gives you that leg-up. 

   
   

5. Scalability and growth-readiness 

   1. The influx of new certification work (non-residential units, rental-standard inspections) means you may need to scale quickly. ExpertOps supports adding extra team members, subcontractors, and tracking their activity centrally. 

   2. You’re not just meeting today’s demand; you’re built for the 2026-plus surge. 

4. Practical steps to prepare for 2026 regulation deadlines 

   1. Audit your current services: Which building types do you inspect today? Are you already targeting non-residential units under 1,000 m² (Flanders)? Do you serve rental-housing landlords in Brussels enforcing 2026 standards? 

   2. Review your scheduling capacity: Can your current calendar handle higher volumes? Do you collaborate with technicians, subcontractors, landlords? Consider integrated scheduling tools like ExpertOps. 

   3. Upgrade your data capture format: Are you using standard templates? Do you meet metadata requirements (typology, area, system efficiencies)? If not, adopt a system structured for 2026 certificate uploads. 

   4. Document process workflows: For audits and compliance, ensure each inspection step is logged, digital attachments stored, client communications archived. 

   5. Stay informed regionally: Brussels and Wallonia will have region-specific decrees (e.g., minimum rental standards, non-residential EPB tools). Keep tracking regional bulletins. 

   6. Communicate the value to clients: As your clients (owners, landlords, property managers) face stricter obligations, position yourself as a trusted advisor who uses modern tools and meets 2026 compliance. 

   
   

5. Conclusions 

For property-certifiers in Belgium, 2026 is not just another year on the calendar, it is a regulatory inflection point. 

Flanders will require wider adoption of EPC NR certificates for non-residential units; Brussels will enforce new rental-property minimum standards; Wallonia is preparing the next wave of EPB tools. Add in the EU’s EPBD transposition and you face more inspections, more data, more scrutiny, but also more business opportunity. 

The firms that succeed will be those who modernise: integrate scheduling and workflows, capture data accurately, maintain audit-ready documentation, manage multi-actor inspections efficiently and leverage technology to scale. ExpertOps was built with exactly that mission in mind: a platform tailored for certifiers navigating the 2026 regulation wave. 

As you prepare for 2026, remember: regulatory change brings both pressure and opportunity. Embrace the shift early by organising your workflow, strengthening your compliance, and positioning yourself as the go-to expert for the newly regulated market. With preparation and the right tools, 2026 becomes less of a risk and more of a growth runway. 

Bibliography 

1. Government of Flanders. Energy performance certificate for a non-residential unit (EPC NR). https://www.vlaanderen.be/en/energy-performance-certificate-for-a-non-residential-unit-epc-nr 

2. Brussels-Capital Region. New minimum quality standards from 2026 (housing). https://be.brussels/en/housing/new-minimum-quality-standards-2026  

3. European Commission. Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU/2024/1275) - Topic page. https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-performance-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en  

4. European Commission Directorate-General for Energy. Databases for the energy performance of buildings (Article 22) – Annex. https://energy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/74388e1e-ca33-4ae0-9e4a-900953873cf2_en?filename=Databases+for+the+energy+performance+of+buildings+%28Article+22%29+-+annex+5.pdf  

5. KPMG Law Belgium. Future obligations around the energy performance of buildings in the Flemish region. https://www.kpmglaw.be/en/news/future-obligations-around-the-energy-performance-of-buildings-in-the-flemish-region/  

6. Osborne Clarke. Environmental obligations in real estate transactions in Belgium (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia). https://www.osborneclarke.com/system/files/documents/23/11/21/Know-how%20-%20Environmental%20obligations%20in%20Real%20Estate%20Transactions%20Belgium%203%20Regions.pdf