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France: Country Profile

Code Development

Summary
Summary

France has had prescriptive building energy efficiency requirements since 1955. The first performance-based standard was implemented in 2005 following the release of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requirements in 2002. The RT2012 reflect the demands of the EPBD recast, with compliant buildings aiming to be approximately 40% more efficient than buildings built according to the 2005 regulations. 

Start Year
Exact Start Year
1 955
Start Year Range
< 1980
Revision Schedule
Yes, a revision schedule exists
Revision Schedule Explanation

The energy regulations for new buildings are modified in France at periodic time intervals. The latest updates were RT2000 in 2000 and RT2005 in 2005. The government has announced plans to update the regulations two more times by 2020.

Existing Code Coverage
Commercial
Residential
Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement
Working group
Technical Committee
Websites
Public Meeting or Conference or Newsletter
Best Practices
New Buildings
Existing Buildings

Code Implementation - Compliance & Enforcement

Administrative/Enforcement Structures

A contractor/developer must submit an energy simulation to a national database and produce a document certifying that thermal regulation have been taken into account. A third-party expert inspects buildings during construction and forwards to the examining board a document certifying compliance with the building thermal regulation. 

Compliance Checking on Design
Yes, compliance is checked on Design
Compliance Checking on Construction
Yes, compliance is checked on Construction
Compliance Checking on Pre-Occupancy
Yes, compliance is checked on Pre-Occupancy
Air Tightness testingy
Commissioning before occupancy NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Commissioning after occupancy
Yes, commissioning is happening after occupancy
Compliance Software Residential
Yes, commissioning is happening after occupancy
Compliance Software Non-Residential
Yes, Software exists
Penalties for non-compliance
Refusal Permission to occupy
Other
Other penalties
Fines are imposed for non-compliance
Incentives and Recognition program for compliance
Incentives and Recognition program for compliance
Awards/Grants/Tax Breaks
Finance/Loans/Ratings

Low Energy Building (LEB) labeling recognizes new projects that meet or exceed RT-2012. High energy performance (HEP) label is available for renovations. Interest-free loans available to first-time home buyers who purchase homes that meet or exceed RT-2012. Tax breaks are offered to developers, including property tax exemption and income tax discounts for investors in low energy buildings.

Compliance Rate monitoringe

Compliance levels are assessed under a pilot scheme called PREBAT.

Compliance Rate Publicised NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details
Compliance Lessons Learned
Yes, it exists

France has been moving away from calculations on paper to measurement of the actual building and monitoring the quality of the finished product. In order to demonstrate compliance, airtightness testing must be conducted on all new residential buildings.  A lot of training and education has been provided to designers and trades people on how to appropriately conduct these tests.

Compliance Energy Use Statistics
Yes, it exists

Since 1 April 2013, auditors are obliged to forward the Energy Performance Diagnosis they have carried out to the l’Agence de l’environnement et de la maîtrise de l’énergie (ADEME) in order to create a common database: this information will help improve the knowledge of the energy performance of the building stock.

Compliance Rate in % NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details

Capacity Building and Education

Awareness Raising
Awareness raising
Resourse kits
Compliance Training
Online resources -
Professional Curriculum
Other
Other awareness raising
Energy performance qualifications e.g. QUALIBAT, QUALIFELEC, ECO Artisan

ADEME offer training for energy efficiency in buildings, advice on financial mechanisms, support demonstration projects and they collaborate with the FFB (French Building Federation). Support to provide RD&D projects, leading to demonstration buildings. ADEME also raises awareness about energy saving methods through public campaigns. A national one-stop approach to renovation of private dwellings has been established.

Building materials

Building Materials Ratings
Building Materials Ratings
Reference standards included in codes
Tested by certified test labs

France follows European certification CE marking, which is mandatory for construction materials and covers aspects of energy economy. EU has also adopted EN 15804 (2012) Sustainability of construction works, which provides rules for reporting life cycle assessment information.

Energy Performance Certificates

EPC Implementation
EPC Implementation
EPCs are referred to in codes -
Mandatory disclosure commercial -
Mandatory disclosure residential -

EPCs are mandatory for all new buildings and for existing buildings at time of sale and rental.

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