The Tertiary Sector Decree requires a gradual reduction in energy consumption in commercial and institutional buildings. To help property owners and managers achieve compliance, GA Smart Building leverages its complementary areas of expertise:
- GA Rénovation, dedicated to modernization, refurbishment, and energy performance improvement projects;
- GA Property Management and Services, specializing in building operations, energy management, and regulatory reporting.
This integrated organization addresses every aspect of the Tertiary Sector Decree, from energy audits to consumption monitoring, ensuring long-term and controlled compliance.
What Is the Tertiary Sector Decree?
The Tertiary Sector Decree, also known as the Eco Energy Tertiary Decree, is a regulatory requirement introduced under the French ELAN Law (Housing, Planning and Digital Development Act). It requires owners, landlords, and occupants of tertiary-sector buildings to achieve lasting reductions in energy consumption in support of the energy transition and France’s carbon neutrality objectives.
Effective since 2019, this framework represents a major shift by requiring tertiary-sector stakeholders to implement a structured, measurable, and continuously monitored energy improvement strategy. The decree contributes to enhanced energy performance, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and the acceleration of ambitious renovation programs.
What Are the Energy Reduction Targets Under the Tertiary Sector Decree?
The decree establishes progressive targets for reducing final energy consumption compared with a reference year selected between 2010 and 2019:
- 40% reduction by 2030
- 50% reduction by 2040
- 60% reduction by 2050
These targets may be achieved through improvements in building energy efficiency, changes in building use, or a combination of both.
Energy consumption data must be reported annually through OPERAT (Observatory for Energy Performance, Renovation and Tertiary Sector Actions), managed by ADEME. The platform assigns a performance score, tracks annual progress, and verifies compliance with regulatory targets.
Which Buildings Are Covered by the Tertiary Sector Decree?
The decree applies to:
- Buildings (or parts of buildings) used for tertiary activities such as offices, retail premises, educational institutions, hotels, healthcare facilities, and similar uses;
- Buildings with a floor area of 1,000 m² (10,764 sq ft) or more;
- Buildings belonging to a larger real estate complex where the combined floor area reaches this threshold.
The decree applies to both property owners and tenants, each of whom must contribute to compliance according to their respective responsibilities.
What Are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?
Administrative Penalties
If energy consumption data is not reported to OPERAT or if regulatory obligations are not met, the Prefect may formally require the owner or operator to comply within a specified timeframe.
Financial Penalties
If the compliance notice remains unresolved:
- Fines of up to €1,500 may be imposed on individuals;
- Fines of up to €7,500 may be imposed on legal entities.
Public Disclosure
The decree also includes a “name and shame” mechanism. Non-compliant organizations may be publicly identified, potentially damaging their reputation with partners, customers, and investors.
Ongoing Obligation to Comply
Penalties do not exempt stakeholders from their obligations. Even in cases of delay or fines, the parties concerned must still meet the regulatory requirements.
Why Is the Tertiary Sector Decree Important for Building Owners and Managers?
Beyond regulatory compliance, the decree represents an opportunity to modernize and enhance the value of real estate assets.
Bringing a building into compliance means:
- Reducing energy-related operating costs;
- Improving occupant comfort and user experience;
- Enhancing asset value through improved energy performance;
- Anticipating future environmental requirements and increasing rental attractiveness.
Organizations that undertake this process gain stronger control over their energy data and benefit from continuous monitoring of building performance.
How Does GA Smart Building Support Compliance with the Tertiary Sector Decree?
Drawing on its expertise in renovation, engineering, and property management, GA Smart Building supports both public and private sector organizations in achieving compliance.
Energy Audit and Assessment
GA Smart Building teams conduct a comprehensive review of energy consumption and identify priority improvement opportunities, including:
- Insulation;
- Ventilation;
- Lighting;
- Heating and cooling systems;
- Technical equipment and building systems.
Energy Renovation and Building Adaptation
The work required to achieve the decree’s objectives is carried out by GA Rénovation, which specializes in:
- Major refurbishments;
- Energy renovation projects;
- Upgrading building envelopes and technical systems;
- Adapting spaces to improve usage and performance.
Long-Term Performance Management and Monitoring
Digital tools developed by GA Smart Building facilitate the preparation and validation of data submitted to OPERAT, helping to secure regulatory compliance.
They also provide:
- Continuous performance monitoring;
- Rapid detection of performance deviations;
- Long-term control of energy targets.
These capabilities integrate seamlessly with the services provided by GA Property Management and Services, which combines technical management, maintenance, and day-to-day energy monitoring.
Comprehensive Support: From Renovation to Regulatory Reporting
Through the combined expertise of GA Rénovation and GA Property Management and Services, GA Smart Building ensures operational continuity across all stages of compliance:
- Renovation work and energy performance improvements;
- Building operations, technical management, and performance monitoring;
- Annual energy consumption tracking and reporting through OPERAT.
This integrated approach ensures long-term compliance with the Tertiary Sector Decree while optimizing building energy performance throughout the asset’s lifecycle.
Le décret tertiaire impose aux acteurs assujettis de :
- Réduire la consommation énergétique finale de leurs bâtiments selon des objectifs réglementaires : -40 % d’ici 2030, -50 % d’ici 2040 et –60 % d’ici 2050
- Déclarer chaque année leurs consommations sur la plateforme OPERAT de l’ADEME, en choisissant une année de référence et en suivant leur trajectoire de réduction.
- Mettre en œuvre un plan d’actions (travaux, optimisation des systèmes, amélioration des usages) si les objectifs ne sont pas atteints.
Ces obligations concernent aussi bien les propriétaires que les exploitants, chacun contribuant à la performance globale du bâtiment.
Un bâtiment tertiaire est un bâtiment (ou une partie de bâtiment) dont l’usage principal relève d’une activité de services : bureaux, commerces, santé, enseignement, hôtellerie, administration, culture, logistique tertiaire, etc.
Ces bâtiments sont soumis à des obligations de performance énergétique dès lors qu’ils atteignent 1 000 m² de surface de plancher, seuls ou au sein d’un ensemble immobilier.
Sont concernés :
- les propriétaires de bâtiments tertiaires,
- les preneurs à bail (locataires exploitants),
- les gestionnaires lorsqu’ils ont la responsabilité opérationnelle du site.
Chaque acteur contribue à l’atteinte des objectifs, selon les usages qu’il maîtrise.
Le décret BACS impose l’installation d’un système d’automatisation et de contrôle des bâtiments pour :
- les bâtiments tertiaires neufs,
- les bâtiments existants équipés d’un système de chauffage ou de climatisation d’une puissance nominale supérieure à 70 kW.
Il vise à optimiser automatiquement les consommations énergétiques (CVC, éclairage, ventilation…).
Chaque année, les consommations doivent être déclarées sur OPERAT avant le 30 septembre. Les premiers objectifs de réduction (-40 % d’ici 2030) doivent être atteints progressivement selon la trajectoire choisie.
En cas de non-déclaration ou d’absence de plan d’actions correctives, l’État peut publier le nom des acteurs non conformes (name & shame). Des sanctions financières peuvent également être appliquées, notamment si l’administration constate une non-mise en conformité volontaire.
Les leviers possibles incluent :
- la rénovation énergétique,
- l’amélioration des systèmes (CVC, GTB),
- la réduction des consommations d’usage,
- la transformation des pratiques internes,
- l’installation d’équipements performants ou bas carbone.
GA Smart Building accompagne ses clients sur l’ensemble de ces actions grâce à son expertise en rénovation globale et en pilotage énergétique.
Sont exclus :
- les constructions provisoires,
- les lieux de culte,
- les bâtiments de défense, sécurité ou protection civile,
- certains bâtiments agricoles ou non chauffés.
