Elevators and Emergency Calls: Complying with Decree No. 2026-166

Decree No. 2026-166 imposes new obligations to secure elevator emergency calls in light of the shutdown of 2G, 3G, and landline networks. What equipment and checks should be planned?

Anaïs Laurent
Consultante HSE
Publication : 
20.05.2026
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🔎 Key takeaways

  • Decree No. 2026-166 aims to secure elevator emergency calls in light of the progressive shutdown of landline, 2G, and 3G networks.
  • Since April 1, 2026, owners must replace incompatible devices with sustainable solutions (4G, 5G, or fiber).
  • Since May 15, 2026, the type and nature of the alert and communication system with an intervention service must be submitted to the technical inspector as part of the five-year inspection.

Please note: This article concerns French legislation. The requirements described may not apply in other countries.

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With Decree No. 2026-166 of March 4, 2026, regulations are evolving to ensure the safety of elevator users in light of the progressive shutdown of certain telephone networks.

What is the objective of this new regulation?

Most elevators installed before the 2010s use telephone transmitters connected to a landline or older mobile networks (2G/3G).

With the shutdown of these networks, in case of a breakdown, the emergency call button would no longer work, leaving users trapped without assistance.

To mitigate this risk, Decree No. 2026-166 of March 4, 2026 mandates the migration to sustainable technologies (4G, 5G, or Fiber optic).

Your obligations as an elevator owner:

Since spring 2026, your responsibilities revolve around two major pillars:

1. Technical Compliance (Since April 1, 2026)

You must check the current technology of your transmitters. If your elevators still use landline or 2G/3G mobile networks, you are obligated to have the alert and communication systems replaced.

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📌 Please note

The company performing periodic maintenance will inform you in writing of the type and nature of the alert and communication system with an intervention service, including the network and equipment used. This information is renewed in case of any change affecting the nature and type of the alert and communication system.

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Every 6 weeks, your elevators are subject to mandatory regular maintenance. In addition to the operations listed in the decree of November 18, 2004, your maintenance provider must now test the alert and communication systems with the intervention service to ensure their proper functioning.

2. Information Submission (Since May 15, 2026)

You must now submit to the technical inspector the type and nature of the alert and communication system with an intervention service.

The mandatory five-year technical inspection includes verifying the compatibility of alert and communication systems with communication systems other than the fixed telephone network or a public 3G or earlier mobile telephone network.

📌 Please note

The company performing the periodic maintenance will inform you in writing of the type and nature of the alert and communication system used with an intervention service, including the network and equipment. This information will be updated if there is any change affecting the nature and type of the alert and communication system.