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GACS legislation: just another obligation, or the next logical step?

Picture of Pieter Aarts Pieter Aarts : February 18, 2026

Sustainability Power Management Smart energy management Energytransition Energy usage optimisation

GACS legislation: just another obligation, or the next logical step?

The energy transition is taking place not only on rooftops and in pastures, but also within the walls of offices, healthcare facilities and industrial halls. Installations are becoming larger and more energy-intensive. With this, the pressure to be smarter with energy is also growing.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, utility buildings with HVAC installations of 290 kW or more are required to have a Building Automation and Control System (GACS). This is not a non-binding directive, but a legal obligation stemming from European EPBD regulations.

This development raises a logical question: what does this mean for building owners and for organizations already engaged in energy management?

What is GACS, jargon-free?

In essence, GACS is about one thing: ensuring that building systems work together in a smart and integrated way. A traditional building management system focuses primarily on comfort, such as heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting. An Energy Management System (EMS) focuses on monitoring and optimizing energy flows, such as consumption, generation and peak load.

GACS connects these worlds. It combines comfort control and energy optimization, and ensures that installations are continuously monitored and automatically adjusted based on real-time data. This creates a single integrated system that optimizes both energy performance and building comfort. This means less waste and better insight into what a building is actually doing.

Why is this requirement coming?

Buildings are responsible for a significant portion of Europe's total energy consumption. If Europe wants to emit 55% less CO₂ by 2030, energy consumption must become more efficient than it is today. The idea behind GACS is that everything you measure, you can also improve. And everything you optimize automatically, in turn, saves energy.

What does this mean for building owners?

Buildings that are properly automated can save up to 25 to 30 percent energy. Plus, periodic HVAC inspections are eliminated when a GACS is properly set up. That saves a lot of time, cost and paperwork.

In addition, a building becomes more predictable. Installations give an earlier signal if something deviates, maintenance can be scheduled on time and reports to legislation become simpler. So it's not just about meeting an obligation, but about a building that works smarter, more stable and more efficiently.

The link with an EMS

For organizations that already work with an Energy Management System (EMS), GACS is not a completely new world. On the contrary: in many cases it fits logically with what is already happening.

A good EMS combines insight with control. The system monitors energy flows and automatically intervenes when necessary. What GACS adds is its broader integration with building systems such as HVAC and lighting. It's not just about energy optimization, but about integral control of the building based on real-time data. Energy and comfort come together in the process.

This clarifies the difference between a system that mainly records and one that actually directs. An EMS that can make decisions locally, control installations directly and provide clear reports at the same time is a strong basis for meeting the GACS requirements.

For organizations looking to purchase an EMS, now is the time to look beyond energy bill savings. Equally important is the question of how well the system meets future requirements around building automation. Is it prepared for what will be required in 2026 and beyond?

Obligation on paper, benefit in practice

GACS is primarily a legal requirement. But for organizations looking ahead, it is primarily a logical time to design their building smarter.

Those who invest now in proper monitoring, integration and active control will not only comply with the 2026 regulations, but also build a better grip on energy, costs and performance. So, do you see GCAS as an administrative burden, or as an opportunity to structurally improve your building's performance?

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