Extension of RE2020: what will change in 2026

RE2020 continues to be rolled out gradually.

Decree No. 2026-16 of January 15, 2026 provides for the extension of its application to new types of buildings.

This change concerns building permits and prior declarations submitted on or after May 1, 2026.

This means that project owners, developers, manufacturers, and design offices must now anticipate these new regulatory requirements.

Which new buildings are affected by RE2020?

From May 2026, the regulations will apply in particular to:

• Media libraries and libraries
• Atypical educational buildings
• University teaching and research buildings
• Hotels
• Early childhood care facilities
• Restaurants and shops
• Healthcare facilities with accommodation
• Healthcare establishments
• Airports
• Industrial and craft buildings
• Sports facilities

This extension marks a major step forward: RE2020 no longer applies only to housing and certain offices, but has been extended to various sectors of the service industry, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Reminder: the five performance requirements of RE2020

RE2020 is based on five fundamental requirements that structure the environmental performance of buildings.

1. Optimization of energy design

The building must be designed to reduce its energy needs from the architectural phase onwards (orientation, insulation, compactness, etc.).

2. Limiting primary energy consumption

The aim is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote high-performance, low-carbon systems.

3. Reducing the carbon impact of energy consumption

Beyond energy performance, the regulations require limiting greenhouse gas emissions associated with building use.

4. Limiting the carbon impact of building components

This is where building LCA becomes central.

Materials, equipment, and technical systems must be evaluated according to their environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle (manufacturing, transport, implementation, end of life).

This requires the use of reliable and verified EPDs and PEP sheets.

5. Limiting thermal discomfort in summer

RE2020 introduces a specific indicator to measure summer comfort in order to anticipate heat waves linked to climate change.

Why is this extension strategic for manufacturers?

With the inclusion of industrial, craft, and healthcare buildings, regulatory pressure is increasing on manufacturers of building products.

To meet RE2020 requirements, they must:

• provide accurate environmental data
• produce compliant EPDs or PEP sheets
• structure their LCA data collection
• ensure the reliability of their environmental declarations

The carbon performance of components is becoming a decisive criterion in calls for tenders.

Anticipating RE2020 through LCA and data structuring

The expansion of RE2020 confirms a fundamental trend: environmental data is becoming strategic.

Implementing a structured Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach makes it possible to:

• Anticipate future regulatory requirements
• Ensure product compliance
• Respond more quickly to projects subject to RE2020
• Promote environmental performance

Conclusion

From May 1, 2026, RE2020 will take a new step forward by including many commercial, industrial, and healthcare buildings.

For players in the sector, the challenge is clear: anticipate, structure, and ensure the reliability of their environmental data now.

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