The so-called DL sostegni-ter, or the third Support Decree (DL no. 4 of January 27, 2022) containing “Urgent measures in the field of support for businesses and economic operators, work, health and local services, connected to the emergency from COVID-19, as well as to contain the effects of price increases in the electricity sector”,was published in the Italian Official Gazette of January 27, and immediately entered into force. Not without some controversy.
DL sostegni-ter and discount on the invoice
After the publication of the DL sostegni-ter, in fact, the tightening of the discount on the invoice and the assignment of the credit referred to in art. 28, has aroused quite a few reactions from Italian professionals and industries related to the world of sustainable energy. It has been defined as “the last and most striking example of how you try to tackle a problem, that of fraud related to the mechanism of the assignment of credits, however penalizing the vast majority of companies that work seriously and try to plan their activities on certain bases”.
The associations of the thermo-hydraulic supply chain
The associations of the thermo-hydraulic supply chain (AiCARR, ANGAISA, Assistal, Assoclima e Assotermica federate ANIMA Confindustria, CNA Installazione Impianti, Confartigianato Impianti), for example, have proudly claimed belonging to one of the key sectors in order to achieve the ecological transition, requesting however, greater stability: the rules have been repeatedly modified, sometimes also intervening on existing contracts.
“We strongly request that the provisions of art. 28 can be withdrawn as soon as possible. We know that there may be changes during the examination in Parliament for conversion into law, but we need certainties right away because the negative impact along the entire supply chain is real and is already making itself felt “[…]” There is no doubt that all of this introduces uncertainty among operators and blocks a market that instead needs clarity and simplifications; it is enough to think that even before the publication of the text in the Official Gazette, many companies have had the financial conditions initially agreed for the assignment of credit renegotiated with considerable losses. As widely recognized, we are in the “decisive decade” to contain the global temperature increase and reduce CO2 emissions and we must first of all try to accelerate the plant redevelopment and energy efficiency rate of the Italian real estate stock, which is still very dated today. In fact, today we know that the problem is not the technological offer, wide and heterogeneous and the real strength of our entire supply chain, which Europe envies us, but the awareness on the part of the end user of being able to play a role in the challenge. of the ecological transition and to be able to exercise it with simple, tangible and immediate support tools “.
The associations of the thermo-hydraulic supply chain, from manufacturing and distribution to design up to the construction and installation of plants, therefore underline with conviction that there is a greater teamwork between those who work daily along the entire value chain and those who establish the rules of the sector to really obtain the results desired and imposed by the EU objectives.
Angelo Carlini, President of the National Association of Builders of Energy Efficiency Services (ESCo) and Facility Management (Assistal), had already expressed his concern about the rule that limits the transfer of credits corresponding to building bonuses to a single step, even before the publication of the DL:
“The new squeezes on the discount on the invoice and the transfer of the tax credit for all tax deductions, from the 110% super bonus to the eco-bonus and the restructuring bonus, envisaged in the draft of the support decree will end up paralyzing the market for energy redevelopment and thus frustrate the efforts to revive the construction sector “[…]” We understand the Government’s intent to fight fraudulent practices, writes Assistel in a note – however, with article 26 of the draft, which blocks the multiple transfer of these tax credits by providing in fact a single transfer by the company to financial intermediaries, there is a risk of penalizing citizens and honest companies causing a liquidity crisis as the constraint of a single transfer could significantly reduce the willingness to acquire credits that exceed the ability to use them “[…]” Furthermore, it is unacceptable that the reg ole also intervening on existing contracts that risk being declared null with the aberrant effect of generating thousands of disputes” […] “We expected support measures – concludes Assistal – but it is clear that the authors of these rules, as well as the authors of the compensation measures for expensive materials and expensive energy, do not know the reality in which companies operate every day and, therefore, we find ourselves with yet another fatal blow to a sector that needs to be listened to in order to survive. “
The comment from the Inarcassa Foundation
Franco Fietta, president of the Inarcassa Foundation (National Insurance and Assistance Fund for Freelance Engineers and Architects), adds to the chorus:
“we just fueled the regulatory chaos that causes damage to the economic recovery of the construction sector, creates uncertainty for professionals and stops families from intervening in their homes “[…] “We think that together with the tightening against fraud, action is needed against the institutions that feed these situations “.
In short, it seems that introducing interventions such as those of art. 28 is very far from the desired objectives. The supply chain makes itself available to institutions to discuss not only incentives, but for the sake of the energy transition.
IMIT, thanks also to its presence in Assotermica, is taking up the challenges, promoting new climate comfort technologies both nationally and in Europe, and actively collaborates with other companies of the Association, all characterized by a strong vocation for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. To learn more about our products dedicated to renewable energy, which guarantee user’s energy and economic savings, browse our website, download our catalog or preview the instruction manuals of our products for home and office comfort. For further requests, send an email to info@imit.it. Our staff will reply as soon as possible.