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 |
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. |