ENAC verification of CAE files: complete process and requirements

What is ENAC verification in the CAE system?

ENAC verification is the critical step of the CAE certification process. Before the MITECO issues the Certificados de Ahorro Energetico, a verification body accredited by ENAC (Entidad Nacional de Acreditacion) must review and validate the file submitted by the delegated subject. This verification ensures that the declared energy saving is real, that the calculations are correct, and that the supporting documentation is complete.

Without the ENAC verifier's approval, the MITECO does not issue the CAE. As a result, the quality of the submitted file directly determines the speed of processing and, ultimately, the profitability of the delegated subject.

What exactly does the ENAC verifier review?

The ENAC verifier carries out a thorough review of each CAE file. The main checkpoints are as follows:

1. Match between the action and the standardised datasheet

The verifier checks that the action carried out effectively corresponds to the declared standardised datasheet. For example, if an IND050 datasheet (industrial LED replacement) is declared, the verifier confirms that the premises are indeed industrial and that the old luminaires have been replaced (not merely supplemented).

2. Validity of the calculation parameters

Every parameter entered into the calculation formula must be justified by a document in the file:

• Power before/after: it must match the technical datasheets (D2) and the inventory (D1)
• Operating hours: they must be supported by activity records of the site
• Performance ratings (COP, EER, SCOP, SEER): they must come from the manufacturer's technical datasheet
• Regulatory thresholds: such as the minimum efficiency of 130 lm/W for LEDs

3. Completeness of the D1 to D5 documentation

The verifier checks that the five required documents are present and consistent with one another:

• D1: that the reference equipment is correctly documented with brand, model, power and age
• D2: that the technical datasheet of the new equipment includes all the specifications needed for the calculation
• D3: that the invoice or contract reflects the declared action and its amount
• D4: that the photographic report demonstrates the reality of the replacement (before and after)
• D5: that the supporting calculation correctly applies the datasheet formula and that the results are consistent

4. Overall consistency of the file

The verifier looks for inconsistencies between documents: that the power figures declared in D1 match the photos in D4, that the models in D2 correspond to the invoice in D3, and so on.

Common mistakes that lead to a file being rejected

The most common reasons for a file being rejected or returned by the ENAC verifier are:

• Incomplete D2 documentation: technical datasheets that do not include the performance or efficiency figure required for the calculation
• Inconclusive D4 photos: a report that does not allow the equipment, its location, or the reality of the replacement to be identified
• Operating hours without justification: declaring 8.760 h/year without documentary support (shift records, opening hours)
• Error in the choice of datasheet: applying an industrial datasheet (IND) to a tertiary-sector premises or vice versa
• Inconsistency between the D5 calculation and the D1/D2 parameters: differences between the calculated values and the documented values
• Missing regulatory threshold: for example, LED luminaires with an efficiency below 130 lm/W for IND050/TER030

Typical verification timelines

The verification timeline depends on the workload of the verification body and the quality of the file:

• Complete file with no errors: 2 to 4 weeks
• File with minor observations: 4 to 8 weeks (including the back-and-forth of corrections)
• File with significant errors: 2 to 4 months or rejection

Verification speed is a competitive factor for delegated subjects, since the sooner the CAE are issued, the sooner they can be sold to the obligated party.

How to prepare a file that passes on the first attempt

The key to speeding up ENAC verification is the quality of the submitted file. Here are the best practices:

1. Complete the D1-D5 checklist before submitting: verify that each document is present, legible and consistent with the others
2. Validate the regulatory thresholds: check that all new equipment meets the datasheet requirements (efficiency, COP, energy class)
3. Document the operating hours: attach shift records, opening hours, or electricity bills as support
4. Clear and geolocated photographs: include before and after photos with date, time and location visible
5. Use a tool that generates the D5 automatically: the supporting calculation document is the most prone to errors when prepared manually in Excel

CertificAhorro automatically generates the complete verifier file, including the D5 document with all parameters referenced to the datasheet and the regulations, which significantly reduces the ENAC verifier's observations.

ENAC verification bodies in Spain

Verification bodies must be accredited by ENAC in accordance with the UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17029 standard. The updated list of authorised verifiers is published on the MITECO website. The choice of verifier is free for the delegated subject, although availability and timelines vary depending on the body and its workload.