Voluntary Display Energy Certificates (VolDECs) was originally developed through a partnership between the National Energy Foundation and Phil Jones of Building Energy Solutions. The scheme was initially funded by Legal & General Property and was successfully tested on 16 of its major, multi-tenanted office properties.

Subsequently NEF's role was taken on by Carbon Descent International Ltd. Carbon Descent is an independent company based in Bishops Stortford, which has been at the forefront of improving the use of energy in buildings since 1998.

Building Energy Solutions is an independent energy consultancy run by Phil Jones with a track record of over 25 years specialising in addressing energy problems in the built environment. BES provides training, research and building/technology troubleshooting across the non-domestic building sector.