Summary
Details
- France
Requirements apply to owners and, depending on contractual arrangements, tenants operating qualifying tertiary premises.
Covered organizations must generally:
Report energy data.
Establish applicable targets.
Monitor consumption.
Implement energy-reduction measures.
Maintain supporting information.
The framework includes limited exclusions, including:
Temporary buildings.
Places of worship.
Certain defense, civil security and national security activities.
Target modulation can also apply where technical, architectural or economic constraints justify adjustment.
Deep dive
- What’s Required
- 1. Determine whether the property is covered
- 2. Meet energy reduction targets
- 3. Report energy consumption annually
- 4. Implement energy-efficiency measures
- 5. Document target modulation where applicable
- Important Deadlines
- Current Status
- Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes
- Resources
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What’s Required
1. Determine whether the property is covered
The framework generally applies where tertiary activities occupy at least 1,000 m², whether in:
A single building.
Part of a building.
A group of buildings located on the same site.
Covered sectors include offices, retail, hotels, restaurants, healthcare, education, logistics, sports facilities, cultural facilities, data centers, transport terminals and many public-sector buildings.
2. Meet energy reduction targets
Covered properties have two alternative compliance pathways.
They may achieve reductions relative to a reference consumption level of:
40% by 2030
50% by 2040
60% by 2050
Alternatively, they may meet an absolute energy-consumption threshold, known as Cabs, established according to the building activity and operating conditions.
3. Report energy consumption annually
Owners and, where applicable, tenants must report annual energy information through the OPERAT platform.
Information can include:
Tertiary activities performed.
Floor area.
Annual consumption by energy type.
Reference-year consumption.
Intensity-of-use indicators.
Technical information supporting target adjustments.
4. Implement energy-efficiency measures
Measures can include:
Building envelope improvements.
More efficient HVAC equipment.
Building energy management systems.
Lighting upgrades.
Operational optimization.
Occupant behavior changes.
Equipment controls.
Reduced unnecessary energy consumption.
5. Document target modulation where applicable
Targets can be adjusted under defined circumstances, including:
Technical constraints.
Architectural or heritage restrictions.
Changes in activity.
Disproportionate economic cost.
Financial or technical justification may be required and documented through OPERAT.
Important Deadlines
July 23, 2019: Décret Tertiaire issued.
October 1, 2019: Framework entered into force.
September 30, 2022: Initial OPERAT reporting deadline for 2020 and 2021 consumption and reference-year information.
Annually: Energy consumption must continue to be reported through OPERAT.
2030: At least 40% reduction or applicable absolute target.
2040: At least 50% reduction.
2050: At least 60% reduction.
End of 2031: Formal verification of achievement of the first decennial target.
Current Status
Active and legally binding.
Éco Énergie Tertiaire remains one of France’s principal regulatory tools for reducing operational energy consumption in the commercial and public building stock.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The framework provides administrative enforcement for failure to report or meet applicable obligations.
Consequences can include:
Formal notice to comply.
Publication of non-compliance.
Administrative fines.
Requirements to submit corrective action plans.
The reputational publication mechanism is sometimes described as a “name and shame” approach.
Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes
Failing to register a covered property on OPERAT.
Missing annual energy reporting.
Reporting incorrect floor area.
Using an unsupported reference year.
Omitting energy sources.
Failing to justify target modulation.
Incorrectly assuming a tenant alone is responsible.
Ignoring properties that exceed 1,000 m² when several tertiary areas are aggregated.
Failing to monitor progress toward the 2030 target.
Treating an energy performance certificate as sufficient EET compliance.
Resources
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