RE2020: understanding the 2025 evolutions to remain compliant

The 2020 Environmental Regulation evolves in 2025, imposing stricter carbon thresholds and new obligations. For manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), especially those for the building sector, it is essential to control these changes to ensure the compliance of projects. This article deciphers the main regulations in France and guides you in their implementation.

RE2020 challenges: what has changed compared to RT2012

The 2020 Environmental Regulation marked a major step forward compared to RT2012. While the latter focused mainly on the energy performance of new buildings, RE2020 broadened the ambition by integrating all of the lifecycle of the building and taking into account its global environmental impact.

Three objectives structure this regulation:

1. Improving energy performance buildings, with an even lower consumption of primary energy.
2. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, by evaluating the carbon footprint of construction using indicators such asIC construction.
3. Better adapt buildings to climate change, in particular by increasing summer comfort without excessive use of air conditioning.

Unlike RT2012, which was based primarily on dynamic thermal calculations, RE2020 introduced verified environmental data, like the FDES for building materials or PEP, from the PEP ecopassport® program, for electrical and electronic equipment, in order to assess the real environmental impacts of each structure.

The major developments of RE2020 in 2025

Strengthening carbon thresholds

In 2025, the 2020 environmental regulations are evolving and imposing more stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limits for new buildings. For example, for collective dwellings, the maximum authorized emission level increases from 560 KgCO₂ E/m² over 50 years to 260 KgCO₂ E/m², making it almost impossible to use gas heating exclusively. This regulation aims to align the construction sector with the objectives of the National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC).

Introduction of new indicators

RE2020 also introduces new indicators to assess the environmental performance of buildings, including ICenergy and ICconstruction. THEiCenergy measures the impact of operational energy consumption on climate change, while theICConstruction assesses the carbon impact associated with the materials used during construction. These indicators require a detailed analysis of energy consumption and associated emissions, thus reinforcing the importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the design and construction of structures.

Impact on design and construction

Importance of verified data

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 (FDES) for building materials. This data, derived from Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, are essential to demonstrate the environmental performance of products and ensure the compliance of projects.

Increased responsibilities for manufacturers

Manufacturers of EEE for the construction sector now have a responsibility to provide accurate and verified environmental data. This involves the production of LCA in accordance with ISO standards, the publication of PEP ecopassport® and the provision of this information in recognized databases, such as the INIES database. This transparency is essential to allow project owners and design offices to design buildings in accordance with RE2020.

Calendar for the implementation of the changes

The new requirements will come into effect according to the following schedule:

• January 1, 2025 : strengthening carbon thresholds for residential and tertiary buildings.
• Summer 2025 : the energy (Icenergy) and material (Icconstruction) impact limits will be adjusted for new types of agricultural, industrial and commercial buildings. These adjustments will mark a key step in extending RE2020. They will be formalized by decree in mid-2025 after 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 houses of 475 kg eq. CO₂ per m² (2025-2027) at 415 kg eq. CO2/m² (2031+). The thresholds for collective dwellings not connected to district heating will be defined later.
• Objective 2030 : extension of RE2020 requirements to biodiversity and circularity.

It is therefore essential for the actors concerned to be prepared for these Evolutions of the RE2020 to ensure the compliance of their current and future projects.

Environmental regulations: how Qweeko can help you

At Qweeko, we support manufacturers, distributors and installers in the EEA sector in the creation, verification and valorization of their ecopassport® PEP. Using a proven methodology, based on the latest ISO standards and regulatory requirements, we help you produce robust, critical, and fully usable LCAs.

To find out more about our approach and how we can help you meet RE2020 requirements, read our article on the deployment of the RE2020 with the PEP ecopassport®. Do not hesitate to contact us Contact for tailor-made support.

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