Member States that decides to implement the smart readiness indicator scheme may couple the issuing of the smart readiness indicator certificate with their energy performance certification scheme or with their scheme for the inspection of heating, air-conditioning and combined heating or air-conditioning and ventilation systems under Directive 2010/31/EU, or with their scheme for energy audits under Directive 2012/27/EU.

Member States may decide that coupling with those schemes shall be mandatory, in which case a smart readiness indicator certificate shall be issued whenever an energy performance certificate has to be issued or whenever an inspection or audit has to be performed, or that it shall be voluntary, in which case a smart readiness indicator certificate shall be issued only at the request of the economic operator.

Where Member States choose to couple the smart readiness indicator scheme with their energy performance certification or inspection or energy audit scheme, they may rely on the independent control system already in place for that scheme.