France’s first thermal regulations were introduced in 1975, and these are being amended regularly. Constraints, standards and objectives have been reinforced by the RT 2012, which has been replaced, as mentioned in "Green Certification", by the RE 2020.

The RE 2020 introduces three main requirements: reducing new buildings’ carbon impact by taking into account all of the building’s emissions over its life cycle as of its construction stage by using bio-sourced materials and encouraging the use of low-carbon energy sources; improving the energy performance of new buildings by introducing, in particular, the “bioclimatic need” indicator (known as “Bbio”); and guaranteeing cool temperatures during scorching summers.

The RE 2020 came into force on 1 January 2022 for dwelling premises and 1 July 2022 for office premises.

Buildings for which planning permission is granted after these dates will therefore have to comply with the requirements of the RE 2020. The energy consumption thresholds set by the new environmental regulations now apply and will be verified by means of an RE 2020 certificate.