Country Guide
BACS Requirements in France
France has been ahead of most EU member states in mandating building automation. The Décret BACS (2020, updated 2023) already requires GTB (Gestion Technique du Bâtiment) systems in non-residential buildings, with the first compliance deadline in January 2025.
The first Décret BACS deadline has passed
Since 1 January 2025, non-residential buildings with HVAC systems above 290 kW are required to have a GTB system (Gestion Technique du Bâtiment) under the Décret BACS. Buildings in this category without compliant automation are already non-compliant.
Legal basis
France has two overlapping regulatory drivers for building automation:
- Décret BACS (Décret n° 2020-887, updated by Décret n° 2023-259) — requires GTB systems in non-residential buildings above certain thresholds. Already in force.
- EPBD Directive 2024/1275 Article 13— the EU directive harmonising BACS requirements. France's Décret BACS already meets or exceeds most EPBD requirements.
- Décret Tertiaire(Décret n° 2019-771) — energy reduction obligation requiring -40% by 2030, -50% by 2040, -60% by 2050 for tertiary buildings >1000 m². BACS is a key enabler.
Deadlines and thresholds
| Threshold | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC >290 kW (new buildings) | 8 April 2024 | Passed |
| HVAC >290 kW (existing buildings) | 1 January 2025 | Passed |
| HVAC >70 kW (all non-residential) | 1 January 2027 | Approaching |
France's 2027 deadline for the >70 kW threshold is two years earlier than the EPBD default (2029), making it one of the most aggressive timelines in the EU.
Which buildings are affected?
The Décret BACS applies to non-residential buildings (bâtiments tertiaires) where the combined nominal power of HVAC systems exceeds the threshold:
- Offices and administrative buildings
- Retail, shopping centres, and supermarkets
- Hotels and tourism facilities
- Hospitals and healthcare (ERP type U)
- Schools, universities, and research facilities
- Sports and cultural venues
- Logistics and warehouses with conditioned space
Residential buildings are excluded.The Décret Tertiaire separately targets energy reduction in tertiary buildings >1000 m², creating dual compliance pressure that makes BACS investment doubly justified.
France-specific context
- ADEME(Agence de la transition écologique) publishes guidance and administers CEE (Certificats d'Économies d'Énergie) which can offset BACS upgrade costs.
- CEE programmes — energy savings certificates can fund 20–40% of GTB installation costs through standardised operations (fiches BAT-TH-116).
- OPERAT platform — the national reporting platform for Décret Tertiaire compliance. BACS data feeds directly into annual energy declarations.
- RT 2020 / RE 2020 — new construction regulations already require high-performance automation in tertiary buildings.
What should building owners do now?
- Determine your HVAC nominal power. If it exceeds 70 kW, you are in scope for the January 2027 deadline.
- Check Décret Tertiaire obligations.If your building is >1000 m², you have parallel energy reduction targets that BACS helps meet.
- Explore CEE funding. Fiche BAT-TH-116 covers GTB installation and can significantly reduce net costs.
- Plan for OPERAT reporting. Your GTB system should produce data compatible with annual energy declarations on the OPERAT platform.
Check your building now
Enter your HVAC capacity and building type to find out if you are in scope for the BACS deadline — free, no signup required.
Start compliance checkOfficial sources anchor legal and policy claims. Industry guidance can explain practical readiness, but it is not presented as law. Demo assumptions are labelled and must be replaced with verified project data before decisions.
Review source authority levelsThis guide provides indicative planning information only. It does not constitute legal, engineering, or financial advice. Confirm requirements with qualified advisers and official sources (ADEME, DGEC, préfectures).