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The 2020 Environmental Regulations will change in 2025, imposing stricter carbon thresholds and new obligations. For manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), particularly for the building sector, it is essential to master these changes to ensure that projects are compliant. This article explains the main regulations in France and guides you through their implementation.
The challenges of the RE2020: what has changed since RT2012?
The 2020 Environmental Regulations mark a major step forward from RT2012. While the latter focused primarily on the energy performance of new buildings, the RE2020 has broadened its ambitions by integrating the entire life cycle of the building and taking into account its overall environmental impact.
The regulations are structured around three objectives:
- To improve the energy performance of buildings, with even lower primary energy consumption.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by assessing the carbon footprint of construction using indicators such as IC construction.
- Better adapt buildings to climate change, in particular by improving summer comfort without excessive use of air conditioning.
Unlike RT2012, which was based mainly on dynamic thermal calculations, the RE2020 has introduced verified environmental data, such as FDESs for construction materials and PEPs, from the PEP ecopassport® programme, for electrical and electronic equipment, to assess the real environmental impact of each structure.
Major changes to the RE2020 in 2025
Stricter carbon thresholds
In 2025, the Environmental Regulation 2020 changes and imposes stricter greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limits for new buildings. For example, for multi-family dwellings, the maximum authorised level of emissions will fall from 560 kgCO₂e/m² over 50 years to 260 kgCO₂e/m², making it virtually impossible to use gas heating exclusively. These regulations aim to bring the construction sector into line with the objectives of the National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC).
Introduction of new indicators
The RE2020 also introduces new indicators for assessing the environmental performance of buildings, including ICenergy and IConstruction. ICénergie measures the impact on climate change of energy consumption during operation, while ICconstruction assesses the carbon impact of the materials used during construction. These indicators require a detailed analysis of energy consumption and associated emissions, reinforcing the importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the design and construction of buildings.
Impact on design and construction
Importance of verified data
The RE2020 requires the use of verified environmental data, such as Product Environmental Profiles (PEP) for electrical and electronic equipment and Environmental and Health Declaration Sheets (EHSDS) for construction materials. These data, derived from Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) that comply with ISO standards 14040 and 14044, are essential for demonstrating the environmental performance of products and ensuring project compliance.
Increased responsibilities for manufacturers
Manufacturers of EEE for the construction sector now have a responsibility to provide accurate and verified environmental data. This involves carrying out LCAs in compliance with ISO standards, publishing ecopassport® PEPs and making this information available in recognised databases such as the INIES database. This transparency is essential if project owners and design offices are to design buildings that comply with the RE2020.
Timetable for application of the changes
The new requirements will come into force according to the following timetable.
- 1 January 2025: higher carbon thresholds for residential and commercial buildings.
- Summer 2025: energy impact limits (Icenergy) and material impact limits (Icconstruction) will be adjusted for new types of agricultural, industrial and commercial buildings. These adjustments will mark a key stage in the extension of the RE2020. They will be formalised by decree in mid-2025, following public consultation.
- 2026-2027: technical modifications for local energy production equipment (decree of 30 December 2024). Preparation of compliance indices for 2028.
- 2028-2031: reduction in Icconstruction indices for single-family homes from 475 kg CO₂ eq/m² (2025-2027) to 415 kg CO₂ eq/m² (2031+). The thresholds for collective housing not connected to district heating will be defined at a later date.
- Target 2030: extension of the RE2020 requirements to biodiversity and circularity.
It is therefore essential for the players concerned to prepare for these changes in the RE2020 to ensure the compliance of their current and future projects.
Environmental regulations: how Qweeko can support you
At Qweeko, we support manufacturers, distributors and installers in the EEE sector in the creation, verification and valorisation of their ecopassport® PEPs. Using a proven methodology based on the latest ISO standards and regulatory requirements, we help you produce robust, critical and fully exploitable LCAs.
To find out more about our approach and discover how we can help you meet the requirements of the RE2020, read our article on deploying the RE2020 with ecopassport® PEPs. Don't hesitate to contact us for tailor-made support.
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