RE2020: new buildings affected as of May 1, 2026

Discover the challenges of RE2020, the regulation that replaces RT2012 to decarbonize buildings. Find out about energy performance targets, summer comfort, and the extended application schedule for new building types from May 1, 2026.

Marion Deiana
EHS Consultant
Publication: 
11.02.2026
Contents
Example H2
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🔎 Things to remember

- RE2020 replaces RT2012 and imposes stricter requirements regarding energy performance, carbon footprint reduction, and summer comfort.

- Its scope will be expanded as of May 1, 2026, with the inclusion of new building types (hotels, retail establishments, industrial buildings, healthcare facilities, restaurants, etc.).‍

- Progressive environmental performance thresholds (2028, 2031) are set based on the category and location of buildings, with the introduction of a new indicator, “Cep,r,” for certain building types.‍

- Compliance is verified using a regulatory calculation method, which can be adapted to the specific characteristics of the project, and certification programs allow for exceeding the minimum requirements.

The RE2020 environmental regulation replaces RT2012 and imposes new requirements to reduce the carbon footprint and improve the energy performance of buildings.

It sets energy and environmental performance requirements for buildings.

It will gradually come into force from January1, 2022, and will apply to new buildings according to a phased schedule, which will now be extended to new types of buildings from May 1, 2026.

What are the targets for RE2020?

  • significantly reduce carbon emissions from buildings ;
  • prioritize energy sobriety and decarbonization ;
  • guarantee comfort in hot weather.

To this end, it is more demanding than RT2012.

Which buildings are affected?

Initially, RE 2020 concerned the construction of buildings for residential, office, or primary or secondary education use.

In this context, it has been in effect since:

  • January 1, 2022, for residential buildings,
  • July 1, 2022, for buildings used for office space or primary or secondary education;
  • January 1, 2023, to extensions of these buildings;
  • July1, 2023, to temporary constructions of these buildings exempt from any formalities under the urban planning code and to constructions of these same buildings erected for a period not exceeding two years.

Since the publication of Decree No. 2026-16 of January 15, 2026, the scope of RE2020 has been extended. As of May 1, 2026, this regulation will also apply to the construction of buildings or parts of buildings subject to a building permit application or prior declaration for the following types:

  • buildings for industrial and craft use;
  • media libraries and libraries;
  • atypical educational buildings;
  • university teaching and research buildings;
  • hotels;
  • early childhood care facilities;
  • restaurants;
  • shops;
  • lockers only;
  • healthcare facilities with accommodation;
  • healthcare facilities;
  • air terminals;
  • sports facilities.

Until April 30, 2026, these buildings remain subject to the requirements of RT2012.

However, the following remain excluded from the scope of RE2020:

  • the construction of buildings or parts of buildings which, due to specific constraints related to their use, must guarantee specific conditions in terms of temperature, humidity, or air quality and therefore require specific rules;
  • the temporary construction of buildings or parts of buildings for a period not exceeding two years;
  • the construction or extension of buildings with a surface area of less than 50 m², which remains subject to the requirements of RT2012;
  • the extension of buildings with a cumulative surface area of less than 150 m² and representing less than 30% of the surface area of the existing premises, which remains subject to the requirements of RT2012.

What are the energy and environmental performance requirements?

The construction of any building or part of a building concerned must achieve minimum results in the following areas:

▶ Based on an assessment of 6 indicators that meet minimum requirements

Category Indicator [Unit] Description Description / Evaluation
Energy
 Bbio
[points]		 Bioclimatic Requirements Assessment of heating, cooling (whether the building is air-conditioned or not), and lighting needs.
Cep
[kWhep/(m²·year)]		 Total Primary Energy Consumption Assessment of renewable and non-renewable energy consumption for the five uses specified in RT 2012: heating, cooling, domestic hot water, lighting, ventilation, and auxiliary systems +
  • 1. Lighting and/or ventilation in parking garages
  • 2. Lighting for Common Areas in Multi-Unit Buildings
  • 3. Electricity for elevators and/or escalators
Cep,nr
[kWhep/(m²·year)]		 Non-renewable primary energy consumption Assessment of non-renewable primary energy consumption.
Carbon
 Ic energy
[kg CO₂ eq./m²]		 Impact on Climate Change Associated with Primary Energy Consumption Introduction of the life cycle assessment method for evaluating greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumed during the building's operational life, which is 50 years.
Ic construction
[kg CO₂ eq./m²]		 Impact on climate change associated with “components” + “construction site” Generalization of the life cycle assessment method for evaluating greenhouse gas emissions from construction products and equipment, and its implementation: the impact of the “Components” and “Construction Site” contributions.
Summer Comfort
 DH
[°C·h]		 Discomfort-hour index: the level of discomfort perceived by occupants throughout the warm season Assessment of the differences between the building temperature and the comfort temperature (which is adjusted based on temperatures from previous days and ranges from 26 to 28°C).

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Source: Guide to Environmental Regulations for New Buildings (RE2020) from the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Cerema

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The minimum results are set by building category and according to their geographical location.
As a result, some of the minimum results will gradually change in 2028 and 2031 to strengthen the requirements of RE2020.

A decree defines, for the construction of buildings and parts of buildings used for residential, office, and primary or secondary education purposes, as well as the construction of associated parking lots, the minimum technical characteristics of certain sets of building components that contribute to energy and environmental performance, health quality, or thermal comfort.

For new building types introduced by the decree of January 15, 2026, the calculation of the building's renewable primary energy consumption is also added for informational purposes, using a new indicator called "Cep,r," expressed in kWh/m²/year. This calculation covers heating, cooling, domestic hot water production, lighting, the mobility of occupants within the building, auxiliary heating, cooling, domestic hot water and ventilation systems for buildings which, under normal use, are heated to a temperature above 12°C or cooled to a temperature below 30°C, and associated parking facilities.

How is the achievement of these minimum results verified?

For the construction of buildings and parts of buildings used for residential, office, and primary or secondary education purposes, and the construction of associated parking lots, a calculation method is used to verify that minimum results and minimum technical characteristics have been achieved.

However, the project owner can propose an adaptation of this method if it is not applicable due to the specificities of the project, of a system, or due to the creation or consequent modification of a heating or cooling network.

Even more ambitious than RE2020?

Labels have been defined based on RE2020 indicators and include stricter requirements.

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