The 2020 Environmental Regulation is evolving in 2025, imposing stricter carbon thresholds and new obligations. For manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), particularly those intended for the building sector, it is essential to master these changes to ensure project compliance. This article breaks down the main regulations in France and guides you in their implementation.
What's at stake with the RE2020: what has changed compared with the RT2012
The 2020 Environmental Regulation marked a major step compared with the RT2012. While the latter focused mainly on the energy performance of new buildings, the RE2020 broadened the ambition by integrating the entire life cycle of the building and taking into account its overall environmental impact.
Three objectives structure this regulation:
- Improving the energy performance of buildings, with even more frugal primary energy consumption.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, by assessing the carbon footprint of construction through indicators such as the IC construction.
- Better adapting buildings to climate change, notably by strengthening summer comfort without excessive recourse to air conditioning.
Unlike the RT2012, which relied mainly on dynamic thermal calculations, the RE2020 introduced verified environmental data, such as EPDs (FDES) for construction materials or PEPs, from the PEP ecopassport® programme, for electrical and electronic equipment, in order to assess the real environmental impacts of each structure.
The major developments of the RE2020 in 2025
Tightening of carbon thresholds
In 2025, the 2020 environmental regulation evolves and imposes stricter greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limits for new buildings. For example, for multi-family housing, the maximum authorised emission level drops from 560 kgCO₂e/m² over 50 years to 260 kgCO₂e/m², making the exclusive use of gas heating almost impossible. This regulation aims to align the construction sector with the objectives of the National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC).
Introduction of new indicators
The RE2020 also introduces new indicators to assess the environmental performance of buildings, including the ICénergie and ICconstruction. The ICénergie measures the climate change impact of energy consumption during operation, while the ICconstruction assesses the carbon impact linked to the materials used during construction. These indicators require a detailed analysis of energy consumption and associated emissions, thereby reinforcing the importance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the design and construction of buildings.
Impact on design and construction
The importance of verified data
The RE2020 requires the use of verified environmental data, such as Product Environmental Profiles (PEPs) for electrical and electronic equipment and Environmental and Health Declaration Sheets (FDES) for construction materials. This data, from Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) compliant with the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, is essential to demonstrate the environmental performance of products and ensure project compliance.
Increased responsibilities for manufacturers
EEE manufacturers whose products are intended for the construction sector now have the responsibility to provide precise and verified environmental data. This involves carrying out ISO-compliant LCAs, publishing PEP ecopassport® declarations and making this information available in recognised databases, such as the INIES database. This transparency is essential to allow project owners and engineering firms to design buildings compliant with the RE2020.
Timeline for implementing the changes
The new requirements will come into force according to the following schedule:
- 1 January 2025: tightening of carbon thresholds for residential and tertiary buildings.
- Summer 2025: the energy impact limits (ICénergie) and material limits (ICconstruction) will be adjusted for new types of agricultural, industrial and commercial buildings. These adjustments will be formalised 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 of the ICconstruction indices for single-family homes from 475 kg CO₂ eq./m² (2025-2027) to 415 kg CO₂ eq./m² (2031+). The thresholds for multi-family housing not connected to district heating will be defined later.
- 2030 objective: extension of the RE2020 requirements to biodiversity and circularity.
It is therefore essential for the players concerned to prepare for these RE2020 developments to ensure the compliance of their current and future projects.
Environmental regulation: how Qweeko can support you
At Qweeko, we support manufacturers, distributors and installers in the EEE industry in creating, verifying and showcasing their PEP ecopassport® declarations. Thanks to a proven methodology, based on ISO standards and the most recent regulatory requirements, we help you produce robust, critical and fully usable LCAs.